knee wraps and squating

**suckysucky** · 04-13-2006, 05:27 PM

I am starting to get back into doing heavy core lifts. I took a break from them after I was done with football because I didn't think they were nessacary. After doing a couple months of friggen calf raises and biceps twice a week i realized that the core lifts are where its at. I started to squat heavy again , well not that heavy i am still getting back into it 405x4 today not much compared to what i use to do. Anyway, would you guys reccommend starting to use knee wraps right away or should I waite till i go heavier? I have never used them before. Also how often (how many sets) do you guys were them. Thanx alot fellas!

**RJstrong** · 04-13-2006, 06:33 PM

I only use wraps for heavy attempts.

**barbndr** · 04-13-2006, 06:45 PM

Use them only for heavy lifts, greater that 85-90% 1RM is where I start.

**powerliftmike** · 04-14-2006, 04:51 PM

I recommend getting some rehband knee sleeves. They have greatly improved my knee health. I use them on pretty much every set, even warmups. I use wraps only when going heavy.

***Doc.Sust*** · 04-15-2006, 08:30 AM

i wrap when i go over 315lbs,very lightly just for support.. i used to squat with 495lbs without wraps,over time i have found my knees started to ache and were sore so now for safety sake i wrap alot mor often, only for full rom squats

**Velkar182** · 04-15-2006, 04:17 PM

If you can get away with it, use them for 80% and up. I think tendons weaken when wraps are used all the time.

**suckysucky** · 04-15-2006, 07:13 PM

Ya I used to squat 500+ for reps back in the glory days . ha. I am getting old now though (well not really but it feels like it). I wonder how much it makes a difference on your tendons as the post above notes.

**sputnik** · 04-16-2006, 06:07 AM

Originally Posted by powerliftmike

I recommend getting some rehband knee sleeves. They have greatly improved my knee health. I use them on pretty much every set, even warmups. I use wraps only when going heavy.

I give the thumbs up to the Tommy Kono bands. My knees have been playing up recetly from playing soccer, jsut I'm about to enter my first PL meet. Anyways, the TK bands are great

**Nytol** · 04-16-2006, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by sputnik

I give the thumbs up to the Tommy Kono bands. My knees have been playing up recetly from playing soccer, jsut I'm about to enter my first PL meet. Anyways, the TK bands are great

I was going to post exactly that, TK bands are awesome, I injured my knee in MMA over 2 years ago, and it has never really healed properly, but since I got the bands my knees are great. I wear them for squats and deadlifts, as they were both hurting my knee, and I now dont worry about it.

I put them on about 15 minutes before I get to the gym, so my knees are warm before I start.

http://www.prowriststraps.com/tk_kne..._bands_support

If you type HARDCORE into the discount box, you should get 20% off your entire order.

**suckysucky** · 04-16-2006, 11:09 AM

thanx for the link nytol

**Nytol** · 04-16-2006, 05:58 PM

No problem, dont forget to use the code.

I am going to get some of the elbow ones, I am that impressed with the knee sleeves.

**mmaximus25** · 04-18-2006, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by Nytol

I was going to post exactly that, TK bands are awesome, I injured my knee in MMA over 2 years ago, and it has never really healed properly, but since I got the bands my knees are great. I wear them for squats and deadlifts, as they were both hurting my knee, and I now dont worry about it.

I put them on about 15 minutes before I get to the gym, so my knees are warm before I start.

http://www.prowriststraps.com/tk_kne..._bands_support

If you type HARDCORE into the discount box, you should get 20% off your entire order.

Which would you guys prefer... It sounds like sleeves are accepted and well liked
Nytol do you prefer sleeves to wraps?
Is there a reason the sleeves might be prefered more?
wraps or sleeves...

I am concerned with my left knee... I have never wraped my knees before.. I have suffered ligament strains and bad blows to my left knee mostly from being tackeled and going down akward but most recently a fall from about 4-5feet directly onto my left knee cap...

I'm heeled now...
Just recently I wanted to see if I'm getting stronger on deep squats and performed 2sets 8 reps of 405 last week... no bad feeling I went slow down and up... felt great afterward

I had a light day yesterday where I typically leg press narrow and feet low and super set with deep front squats only 135 though... these light days are actually harder on my knees it seems than heavy due to the emphasis on the front thigh...
needless to say after this light day I feel a nagging wimpy pain on the outside of my knee every time I bend and put pressure on it.

So I am gonna start wrapping up maybe doing less reps on light and heavy days but just need to determine which one or both...

Sleeves for front squats and wraps for heavy back squats? just now looking into this... good thread timing for me...

**mmaximus25** · 04-18-2006, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by powerliftmike

I recommend getting some rehband knee sleeves. They have greatly improved my knee health. I use them on pretty much every set, even warmups. I use wraps only when going heavy.

Have you used the Inzer brand... It appears the Rehband would retain more heat... Whats your take on the Inzer type...
This might sound dumb but would it be good to use both... one for heat and the other for the structural support
http://www.inzernet.com/detail.asp?p...LEEVES_KNEE_XT

Thanks in advance PLM

After looking at the two I'm begining to think the sleeves are nice for average to light weight but I should invest in wraps anyway for the heavier lifts for safety...

**Nytol** · 04-18-2006, 01:01 PM

Wraps actually give you a boost in the weight as you get rebound from them, the sleeves just keep the joint warm, but dont actually add any more weight to your lifts.

I have never wrapped my knees either, and have had an injury, I am using the sleeves to keep my knees warm, but also to allow me to feel if there is any stress going on, so I can address it before it causes damage.

I have not used the Inzer sleeves, but have seen them, and IMO from looking at them, the TK sleeves are better, but this is just an observation.

I will start wrapping my knees soon as I plan to compete later this year, but only for the extra poundage, not for protection.

Try both, Inzer 2.5m wraps are good, but I would stick with the sleeves for the majority of my leg work.

Changing to a wider stance took a lot of stress of my knees, but this is not so good if you squat for your quads.

**sputnik** · 04-20-2006, 09:44 PM

Update from me - my knees have finalyl healed and feel excellent, to the point that I've stopped using the TK's for now, yeeeeha

**powerliftmike** · 04-21-2006, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by mmaximus25

Have you used the Inzer brand... It appears the Rehband would retain more heat... Whats your take on the Inzer type...
This might sound dumb but would it be good to use both... one for heat and the other for the structural support
http://www.inzernet.com/detail.asp?p...LEEVES_KNEE_XT

Thanks in advance PLM

After looking at the two I'm begining to think the sleeves are nice for average to light weight but I should invest in wraps anyway for the heavier lifts for safety...

I actually use both when the weight gets up there (except in competition when rehbands arent usually allowed). I got the idea from 2001 WSM Svend Karlsen, he wraped his knees and then pulled his rehbands over the wraps. So thats what I do. Of course he proceeded to do like 600 lb front squat for a triple if I remember correctly. haha