Compression socks and sleeves have gotten a fair amount of attention lately. They’ve been popular with people who spend a lot of time on their feet or are bedridden – both have concerns about proper circulation. In recent years, however, compression has become popular with athletes. Let’s discuss some major benefits of wearing compression and its advantages.

How Does Compression Work?

A high-quality compression sock or sleeve applies direct, gentle pressure to a specific area of the body. Compression helps to improve circulation and ensures more oxygen gets to the muscles or back to the heart.

Help To Heal.

Our feet and ankles carry our bodies, meaning they bear the brunt of our weight. That stress can make them particularly prone to poor circulation, which can lead to swelling and pain. It can be a domino effect! The pressure of compression, however, helps to ensure proper circulation so that the oxygen carried by blood reaches where it needs to go. That’s what makes them so popular with people who spend a lot of time on their feet, sit for long periods, or are bedridden.

Benefits of wearing compression for athletes

But compression can be beneficial for athletes for two reasons.

If you’re recovering from an injury, proper circulation is vital for healing. The nutrients and oxygen in the blood help repair muscle. Wearing a compression item can help push critical nutrients to your muscles. Some athletes make them a regular part of their daily routine to help with recovery.

Some athletes will wear compression for sore muscles. They either wear them at night to help with soreness or help prevent it.

Everyday wellness:

Compression can be made a regular part of your workout and wellness routines, just as you would a healthy diet, stretching, and safe exercises. Some athletes wear them while training, while others wear them while stretching after they workout to ensure better circulation.

There are three types of compression socks to consider:

A low profile compression sock can be everyday wear targeting your feet to help avoid swelling.

Midrise compression socks add more support and circulation.

A calf compression sock can better addresses circulation throughout the entire leg and lower body.

You can also try a compression arm sleeve if you have issues with your elbow!

“A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing grows there”.

There is more to explore when it comes to considering the benefits of wearing compression. Do not succumb to injuries, pain, or sore muscles. Manage your activities with the right treatment and procedures.

Don’t let sports injury or accident injury put a full stop on your movement. Manage and control the pain by wearing compression. Now you know the benefits of wearing compression and know-how can compression socks help you in managing the pain? It is suggested to consult a medical professional or physiotherapist before trying compression.

Also Read : Can Compression socks help you

Did you know your workout items – especially shoes and bras – have a shelf life? They can be the most significant (and important) investment after a gym membership or private trainer. You need to replace them regularly. For bras and shoes, that can mean yearly!

Annual Goodbye!

You should be refitted for both running/walking shoes and athletic bras every year. Yes, really! They wear down with each wearing. That means that mere months after buying them, you’re not getting the same support you got week one. So why does that matter if they still feel comfortable? Lack of proper support in your athletic gear can lead to health problems and risk of injury.

• Athletic Bras: You know that expensive athletic bra you bought last year and worship each time you wear it? Don’t wait until you begin to see actual wear and tear before deciding it needs to be replaced. A good indicator? Does it still feel as snug as it did when you first bought it? Yellowing or fatigue in the underarm area of the bra is another sign it’s time to say goodbye to the bra!
• Athletic Shoes: Shoes carry you through your day. Athletic shoes bear your weight during exercise. Their quality, as much as their wearing, matter greatly. Once they wear down beyond a certain point, they’re not providing sufficient support. That can lead to orthopedic issues and pain. Your knees, back, ankles, feet, and even hips can be affected by shoes that offer inadequate support. You also risk twisting an ankle or knee. – Depending on how much pounding your running or walking shoes take, you might need to replace them every few months or once a year. How they feel is not an indicator that you need to replace them. By the time they show wear and tear, they are way past their prime!
  • The middle layer of cushion in the sole begins to break down somewhere between 300 to 500 miles. Somewhere in that span of mileage is when you need to replace them, whether they’re walking or running shoes.

Quality Matters:

When it comes to buying athletic shoes, clothes, and bras, quality and care can help with their lifespan. You truly get what you pay for. You really should invest in the best quality you can afford. Also, you should pay close attention to the manufacturer’s instructions for washing and drying. Typically, they recommend hand washing (or on delicates in the machine) in cold water and line drying. You’ll get more mileage out of your clothes by doing so!

Sticking to any workout goals is critical to the ultimate success of any workout routine and goals. It can certainly be challenging to stick with exercise. We all know that life tends to get in the way! However, there are a few things you can do to help you create and stick to a routine. Here are six free, easy things to try.

No excuses: Eliminate excuses. Let’s face it. We can ALL find reasons not to work out. We might even convince ourselves they are good ones. But the reasons FOR working out are the best reason. Wake up each day, look at your schedule, and stick to it.

Each day counts: It’s easy just to say: “I’ll skip today and do it tomorrow or the following day.” Nope. Make each day count and track your workout days. Create a log if you have to. You’ll be more likely to hold yourself accountable.

Routines help: Just like you need to make each day count, creating a routine will matter. Decide how many days, how long, and when you’ll be working out. In other words, create a working schedule. Carve out time in your daily and weekly schedule.

Journey vs. goals: Some people do better if they focus on the overall journey rather than ultimate goals. Goals can be helpful, but they can also hinder or overwhelm right when you most need support. If you’re finding yourself intimidated by your goals, you can pull back – even if for a short time. Instead, focus on the process and journey of fitness rather than where you ultimately want to end up.

Check your habits: Part of a good workout routine should inevitably involve eliminating previous bad habits. How are your diet and nutrition? Are you walking instead of riding the elevator? Do an honest self-assessment of your daily habits and eliminate poor habits and choices that could be sabotaging your ultimate workout and health success!

Use technology: There are tons of health and fitness apps available today to help you stay on track. Do some research and find one that works best for your lifestyle and health goals. There are also many online forums where you can find support as well. Consider modern technology your workout buddy.

There are those among us who hate cardio. Yes, it’s true. Folks tend to fall into two camps: those who love cardio and incorporate it into their workouts and those who look for ways to avoid all cardio. Here are a few tips for those who hate cardio. We promise that it’s not that tough. Take a deep breath and read on.

To make cardio more palatable, divide it up into shorter periods (10-minutes each is good), but aim for a total of 30 minutes. Ratchet up the intensity of each period to get the best results.

Jump rope:

Harkening back to childhood! A six-minute jump rope routine. Jump for one minute, rest for twenty seconds. Do a total of six minutes of jumping.

Uphill Intervals:

Short bursts known as intervals are your best friend if you don’t like cardio workouts. They’re short and sweet. Be sure to warm up before you begin. For a good challenge, take your intervals uphill, whether outdoors on a hill, on a treadmill, or stairclimber.

Sprints:

Another short and sweet cardio workout is sprinting. Start with a three to five minute warm-up of light jogging. Sprint as fast as you can for a minimum of 50-yards, then do a light jog back to the starting point. Repeat 10 times.

Swimming:

If you have access to a pool, swimming is a great aerobic exercise. Whether you give it the full 30-minutes or break it down into shorter times. Swimming is a fun way to get some cardio in.

Biking:

Jump on a bike, whether it’s stationary or outdoors. The greater the intensity, the bigger the benefits. But, something is better than nothing. If you want to add some diversity to your workout and have some outdoor fun, grab your bike (and helmet) and go for a spin around your neighborhood.

Hiking:

Studies have shown that exercising outdoors has many benefits, including we’re more likely to stick with it longer. Hit the nature trails near your home (grab a hiking partner) and enjoy all that nature has to offer. Those pesky but beneficial uphill climbs provide the most health benefits!

Also Read : Why Lagree Pilates is a Fitness Game Changer

We’re a little more than halfway through the year, so are you still on track to meet your fitness goals for the year? Here are some tips to keep you on course and make each day count for the second half of the year!

Make Each Day Count:

Taking it one day at a time when you’re striving to meet fitness goals is the best way to ensure you get there. It’s not a race. It’s a marathon! Making each day count makes it more likely that you make the necessary lifestyle changes to make fitness a regular part of your life. If you tackle fitness one day at a time – with a bigger goal in mind – it won’t feel like an impossible idea! This means each day you exercise matters. Start with Sunday, and track each day. Wednesday is your mid-week check-in day to see if you need to ramp it up for the rest of the week or slow down a bit.

Keep a Log:

It’s easier to make each day count if you keep a log or exercise log. Keeping a log helps to keep you accountable to your goals. Take a few minutes each day to write down what you’ve done that day. And, just as we stated in the previous tip, use Wednesday as your check-in day. Check-in on Sunday to see if you met your goals in the prior week! Exercise diaries are also excellent for tracking your meals and your health!

Create a Routine and Stick to it:

If you haven’t already created a routine for the year, devise one right now! Create an exercise routine for the remaining months of 2019. Studies show that having a regular routine helps you stick to it. It also helps to keep you accountable to your goals! When you’re creating a routine, be honest with yourself. What would work best for your schedule and ultimate fitness goals? Being practical when you’re designing a routine means you’re less likely to find excuses to skip workouts! Record your routine in your fitness log. Be as specific. Then stick to the routine as much as possible! Remember to adjust your routine as you grow stronger.

Check Bad Habits:

It’s too easy to fall back into any bad habits you might have had before your starting working out. Keep to your planned routine while keeping in mind your ultimate goals! It helps to keep you from falling back into any habits that go against your goals. If your goals include changing your dietary habits, then use your fitness log to track your food intake as well That holds you accountable. At the end of each week, review your log to see if you met your goals. Again, that keeps you accountable.

Meeting your Goals:

Sometimes you need to change things up a bit to achieve your goals. Yes, sticking to your planned fitness routine is critical, but life can sometimes get in the way. If you have an early morning meeting that will prevent you from your morning workout, try working out after work instead. Or walk to work if possible to get in some exercise. Think of other creative ways to get in some activity or movement. Instead of your regular spin class, try a high-wattage dance class. Note these changes to your routine in your fitness log.

Turn to Apps for Help:

There are fitness trackers and apps you can use to keep you on course and accountable. There are numerous apps on the market, and you should use the one that will best meet your individual needs.

Use a Trainer or Work with a Friend:

Sometimes the best way to hold ourselves accountable is to hire a trainer and buy a package of appointments with them! My suggestion is first to try the class or have at least one session with a trainer before you buy a package. But, prepaying for something will make you more likely to show up. Also, a professional trainer can ensure you’re working out safely!

For some athletes, compression socks could be beneficial. Here is information on what compression socks are, what they do, and how they might help you. As always, consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns.

What are compression socks?

Compression socks are snug-fitting socks that apply gentle pressure on the ball of the foot, around the ankle and on the plantar fascia. They are the tightest around the ankle and gradually get looser up the leg. The pressure helps to ensure that things stay in alignment and blood flow is improved while you’re wearing the socks. Compression sleeves work the same way but don’t cover the foot, just the leg.

What Do They Do?

The two most critical things compression socks or sleeves do is improve blood flow, which can lessen pain and leg swelling, and reduce your chances of getting deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a type of blood clot.

The compression helps your blood vessels function better by putting limited pressure on them, allowing blood to flow more easily. As a result, they can keep your legs from feeling tired and painful, keep swelling down, and help prevent varicose veins. Because they keep blood flowing, they can help prevent blood clots from forming.

Who uses compression socks?

Some athletes swear by compression socks. Better blood flow brings more oxygen to the muscles. Not only is this helpful during exercise, but the improved circulation can help muscles recover more quickly following intense or lengthy workouts.

If a doctor has prescribed compression socks, then you should follow their instructions carefully. (Some insurances will cover their cost if they’re prescribed by a physician.) You can also purchase compressions socks and sleeves without a prescription.

Although many athletes believe that compression socks and sleeves improve their athletic performance, there’s no direct evidence of this.

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