When to start using knee wraps?

**yeahbuddy289** · 12-10-2013, 09:00 PM

The heaviest I go squatting is 405 for a few reps... I have a huge ass and legs so I never even bother to go past that and make more gains I just work legs to work them I guess. But even at that weight should I be using knee wraps?

**Brett N** · 12-11-2013, 05:02 PM

How do your knees feel at that weight? I squat about 325 and I feel good with 0 pain. I would think you'd want to wrap only if you are starting to feel pain or maybe doing a 1RM. Not a pro though.

Personally, I don't want to start relying on something to aid. I don't like the idea of wrist strap or lifting gloves. I don't ever plan on competing so I'd never buy a bench shirt or any of that other stuff. I like to strengthen what is weak on me by doing the lift natural.

Just my thoughts on it, others who are more advanced in their lifts than you may have a different opinion though. 400+ would be a good goal for me at the moment.

**yeahbuddy289** · 12-11-2013, 05:31 PM

Not really getting any pain but was thinking maybe I should do it as a safety measure.

**Times Roman** · 12-11-2013, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by yeahbuddy289

Not really getting any pain but was thinking maybe I should do it as a safety measure.

don't use wraps as a crutch. the safest thing you can do is to warm up and use proper form. my knees are shot, so i just leg press

**bass** · 12-11-2013, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

don't use wraps as a crutch. the safest thing you can do is to warm up and use proper form. my knees are shot, so i just leg press

me too, knees are shot. good advice on the wraps, that's probably what screwed up my knees.

**diabeticknowledge** · 12-11-2013, 06:25 PM

never use anything on your knees unless its for warmup purposes, any more support than knee sleeves is not needed.

if you intend to break a world record in powerlifting then i guess you have to. but from a health point of view there is nothing supporting the use of wraps. your knee is either strong enough for the lift or not - dont mess with fake security from wraps because it will mess you up real bad

**NaijaBoy** · 12-12-2013, 04:02 AM

I use knee sleeves only. My knees are shot as well. But then again I never go past 305 for reps. I feel like I have no reason to. Just learning to increase my reps.

**M302_Imola** · 12-12-2013, 11:26 AM

Personally I wouldn't be doing squats reps any lower than 6 as I think you're setting yourself up for injury. About the heaviest I go is 365 lbs. (slightly below parallel)...this is the heaviest I typically go because I normally can only eek out 6-8 reps. Now if I was able to do 405 lbs. for 6 reps then I would step up in weight. Note: I don't use knee wraps or sleeves and about 2 years ago I have my miniscus scoped (wakeboarding accident).

**Beethoven** · 12-12-2013, 10:08 PM

I always thought it was a good precaution to use them. Just starting to get my legs back and haven't used them again. I thought it added more support. I had always seen a lot of vets in the gym wrapping their knees, when I asked them, (many years ago) they replied for extra support.

**bartman314** · 12-15-2013, 08:16 PM

i've had two acl reconstructions (one each knee... ;-)) and a repaired hip labral tear.

no more squats for me. leg press only, with sleeves to help keep warm and maintain some modest compression. i press slow and steady anywhere from 800-1200 lbs for 4-8 reps depending on the press. i need to stay away from leg extensions too.

**kelkel** · 12-15-2013, 09:01 PM

Originally Posted by Beethoven

I always thought it was a good precaution to use them. Just starting to get my legs back and haven't used them again. I thought it added more support. I had always seen a lot of vets in the gym wrapping their knees, when I asked them, (many years ago) they replied for extra support.

BS. It simply allows them to handle more weight. Be careful with wraps. Had mine wrapped for opening attempts prior to a power meet years ago and they were so tight they broke veins in my gastroc causing internal bleeding. Put me in the hospital for 3 days. Never again. Only neoprene to keep them warm.

**DontTaseMeBro** · 12-16-2013, 10:39 AM

I don't use them any more and I feel like my knees (which are pretty beat up) and associated stabilizers are stronger as a result. The guys in the powerlifting section will probably have a different take on the subject.

**ironbeck** · 12-16-2013, 12:12 PM

Only you can answer this question because the answer would be different for every body. At my age(40) and my body's wear and tear I use knee wraps when I go above 275 on squats and above 600 on leg press, I do this for a safety precaution and don't ever try to rep as much as I can.

**NaijaBoy** · 12-18-2013, 03:03 AM

I see the best results when I do 225 for lots of reps (15+). Why I go heavy (305 is heavy as hell for me), I have no clue. I don't need massively huge legs and could care less for them. I have knee pain now and I hope it's nothing bad. Back to 225 for me, I don't want to have destroyed knees when I'm 40+