Guide to Knee Sleeves

Why Should You Use Knee Sleeves?

Knee sleeves, often also called knee supports, are a popular accessory among powerlifters, weightlifters, and CrossFit practitioners. Both competitive athletes and recreational exercisers benefit from knee sleeves, which provide warmth and compression to the knee joint.

Benefits of Using Knee Sleeves

• Increased Strength: Compression from knee sleeves can not only directly increase strength but also help provide a better sense of stability.

• Recovery for Knees and Adjacent Muscles and Tendons: The combination of warmth and compression may help facilitate recovery after intense training sessions.

• Reduced Risk of Injury: Injuries often occur due to lack of proprioception (how the body senses movement, force, and positioning for itself). Knee sleeves can help increase proprioception providing enhanced support to the knee joint. However, it's important to note that knee sleeves should not be used as a substitute for rehabilitation, medical care, increased recovery, or rest during injuries.

How to Use Knee Sleeves

Knee supports should fit snugly over the knee joint/thigh and upper calf but not so tightly as to restrict blood circulation. Depending on the activity, purpose, type of training, and individual preference, the fit of knee sleeves may vary.

• Placement: Knee sleeves should cover the knee joint and surrounding muscles and ligaments to maximize the effectiveness of support and avoid discomfort during exercise.

• Purpose: Adjust the fit according to the purpose of the training and your own preference. For strength training and weightlifting, a tighter knee sleeve may be preferred, while a looser one may be better for rehabilitation.

Knee Sleeves During Training

Knee sleeves are primarily used during strength training, powerlifting, CrossFit, and weightlifting, especially during compound exercises such as squats and cleans. It is recommended to use knee sleeves during warm-up to maximize warmth, compression, and support. When starting to use knee sleeves, continue to follow your usual training routine to avoid overtraining, even though there may be an increased sense of strength experienced with knee sleeves.

Eleiko's Knee Sleeves

Eleiko's knee sleeves are designed with a focus on weightlifting and powerlifting and are made of durable 7-millimeter thick neoprene. They are approved for powerlifting and weightlifting competitions both nationally and internationally.

Knee Sleeves for Powerlifting, Eleiko PL Knee Sleeve

Eleiko's knee sleeves for powerlifting, Eleiko PL Knee Sleeve, are made of 7-millimeter thick neoprene and provide maximum support and compression for squats. They are approved by the IPF (International Powerlifting Federation).

Knee Sleeves for Weightlifting and Functional Training, Eleiko WL Knee Sleeve, 5-7 mm

Eleiko’s WL Knee Sleeve is tailored for weightlifting but can also be used for CrossFit and similar training. They provide good support and compression over the knee joint but cover less area than Eleiko PL Knee Sleeve. They are mainly used for squats and cleans, and some athletes also use them for snatches.

The thickness provides different levels of compression. A 5 mm thick variant fits slightly less tight and is better suited for activities like CrossFit or similar training and competitions, while a 7 mm variant generally works better for weightlifting.

Choosing the Right Size

On the product pages for WL Knee Sleeve and PL Knee Sleeve, there is a size guide. Use the guide along with a tape measure to find the right size.