Straps

[davegt7]

I've heard a lot of things about using straps and some people cant praise them enough and others say don't go near them..

I've got a bit of a dodgy knee but with trips to the chiropractor should be better in a matter of weeks maybe months. Which obviously stops me from heavy squats and some other legs workouts.

Would anyone recommend knee straps?

[Gaspaco]

If your knees are weak, get them.

Use them only during heavy sets.

[Khazima]

No, they can potentially cause harm if you rely on them since they apply a lot of pressure to the patella. Get some knee sleeves and take care of your knees. Rest, knee sleeves and supplements in that order have been the most important and effective tools to maintaining knee pain for me.

[zempey]

I still wrap my knees if I go heavy, my left knee is a mess these days. I know how much pressure to use to get the support I need so it isn't that big a deal to me. I have said it over and over on this type of topic, if you need it, use it, most of us are just recreational lifters, some take this way too serious. If you plan to compete or are truly going for a pro card, then maybe don;t use straps and wraps, but for the weekday worrier who has a job and life outside the gym, use them if you need them, but try to not rely on them for everything.

[almostgone]

After hearing some of the problems with wraps being applied too tightly, I go with Rehband neoprene knee sleeves on leg day. Keeps the knees nicely warm.
Also, Kel posted up recently about Ptex knee sleeves. They are just the right weight for cardio or days that I have to do a good bit of climbing/stressing my knees at work and the price was very reasonable.

[davegt7]

Again guys thanks for the help..

This is the only place I've been able to get the answers I'm actually looking for and hopefully with your knowledge I can learn from it and contribute to these threads for less experienced people than myself one day

[Khazima]

After hearing some of the problems with wraps being applied too tightly, I go with Rehband neoprene knee sleeves on leg day. Keeps the knees nicely warm.
Also, Kel posted up recently about Ptex knee sleeves. They are just the right weight for cardio or days that I have to do a good bit of climbing/stressing my knees at work and the price was very reasonable.

My rehbands arrived today after my leg session which caused my knee to flare up again, i wasn't able to get up out of a chair without a small amount of pain, tried the rehbands on and could bodyweight squat pain free.

[Khazima]

most of us are just recreational lifters, some take this way too serious.

That hurts because of how true it is lol.

[bigrich4]

Yes, i have 5 kids ranging from 1 to 15, also work grave yard shift. I guess im a weekday warrior. But i train hard and it is for my kids. With that said, like Khaz said, use sleeves for knee health, thats what i do. It keeps the knees warm and thats important for health. Straps should be used when going heavier then normal. I use them at near max or max.
but i do use the sleeves starting at my warm up sets. My garage gets cold.