Weight Loss Secrets: sleeves

Friday, September 9, 2011

What’s the point of compression sleeves?

For those of you who may not know, this is a compression sleeve:

(Im lobbying for a TATTOO-pattern Misfit Sleeve!)

I already knew I loved me some Zensah compression apparel.

I love my Zensah compression skirt & sports bra:

I adore my PINK Zensah compression tank-top:

I’m painfully aware (literally & metaphorically) I’m not a hardcore runner—-yet I’d become uber-curious about the compression sleeves.

REALLY CURIOUS.

Are the sleeves even intended for the soft-of-core lollopers like I am? Does one run IN them? Don them AFTER the run? Whats the difference between the sleeves and the socks?

And, as with all my questions these days, I clicked over to Facebook and asked my Peeps.

I was confident everyone out there would have the knowledge & insights I lacked.

To my surprise and delight I wasn’t alone in my perplexednessment.

To my surprise and delight** Zensah offered to answer all of my (& your) questions.

I am a misfit. I adore the mere look of the sleeves & am SMITTEN by the color selection. That said, bottom line it for us: WHATS THE POINT?

The point of compression socks is to improve blood circulation and overall leg health. By wearing graduated compression socks for sport, you attain these 2 benefits in addition to maximizing your recovery time. Compression helps reduce muscle vibrations which can cause micro-tears and inflammation in the muscles. It can also help prevent shin splints.

To my chagrin, Im just starting back AND a short distancer right now. Besides the fashion statement I adore—is there a need for the sleeves for me?

I don’t think someone can be too much a novice to use compression. It’s a matter of trying them out and seeing when they feel best for you. You can wear compression before, during, and after runs. If you are looking for muscle stabilization or prevention of any muscle pains, compression can help during a run. If you are looking solely for a recovery tool, then it is best to wear after a run.
Distance is not a factor. For example, when you are transitioning into minimalist running, although you may start with 1,2,3 milers your calves are still going to be sore because different muscles are being used. The compression socks/sleeves will help alleviate and recover from soreness much faster. In this situation you should wear them even at short distances.
We make great colors so people like to show off their colorful legs at all levels of running

Ok, even if I covet a pair for the wrong reasons—they could work for me. I like that. Now, how do I know if I want the sleeves or the socks?

There are differing benefits to socks and sleeves.
Compression socks provide support starting at the toes. Zensah Compression socks offer arch support and padding in the heal and toes which makes them very comfortable, too.
The compression sleeves are a bit more versatile. You can wear them with running socks that you are already comfortable with, you don’t have to wash them as often, you can wear them with open toed shoes for recovery.
The Zensah Compression Sleeves are unique in that they have a physiological design imprinted onto the sleeve that imitates the taping that a physical trainer would do on your shins to prevent shin splints. They offer all the benefits of compression in addition to help preventing shin splints.

I know.

It’s a whole lot of information & an email I read & reread multiple times before I even attempted to blog about it.

Now I look to you—-and not the company who sells the compression—what are YOUR experiences with compression sleeves or socks?

When do you don the brightly colored items I adore?

Who do you believe they work best for?

Please to hit us all up in the comments below.

View the original article here