WHY KNEE SLEEVES? What to Know Before You Buy!

[@TjRonin]

Great video, thank you

[@thatfitfriend]

Thank you for checking it out!

[@Alexaaraeee]

Thank you for the thorough breakdown💪🏼

[@MiConMusic]

Should you use knee sleeves on leg extensions and leg curls? Great video btw!

[@thatfitfriend]

Thank you! If you’re wearing a super light neoprene for warmth, then you could get away with it, but with thicker sleeves I’d suggest not. It could limit some of your range of motion when going into maximal flexion during curls

[@thatfitfriend]

Thank you! If you’re wearing a super light neoprene for warmth, then you could get away with it, but with thicker sleeves I’d suggest not. It could limit some of your range of motion when going into maximal flexion during curls

[@MiConMusic]

Okay awesome! Appreciate the advise! Subscribed! Keep up the amazing work! 💪

[@thatfitfriend]

@@MiConMusic thank you! Stoked to have you - hit me if you ever have additional questions 💪💪

[@cdi9380]

Thanks for the info. I like meat sleeves so I guess I'll give knee sleeves a shot

[@EnglandLives]

Great video! Do you have any experience with the more strongman orientated knee sleeves that come in 9mm like the Cerberus, Evolution Athletics, A9 etc. I think if you have no plans to compete and just like to lift heavy, these could be better as they would offer more support and you are not limited by competition rules for equipment. These are the ones I am looking into but not a lot of reviews online about them unfortunately. Maybe a video idea for the future?

[@thatfitfriend]

I have not tried those yet! Tbh, I wouldn’t use those for my personal training so I likely wouldn’t build out a video on them, although, I do appreciate that suggestion. A good 7mm sleeve should provide plenty of support/stability for most training contexts!

[@EnglandLives]

@@thatfitfriend Thanks for the reply! I am too indecisive whether to gamble on the 9mm or go with SBD 7mm and with their new ones due to come out this year, it doesn't help the situation 😂

[@thatfitfriend]

@@EnglandLives ehhh, I feel you. Tbh, the SBD 7mm don’t miss, mine have lasted a few years and still have good support! Can always trade up once you get some in and figure out what you prefer. Feel like it can be tough at first due to paralysis by analysis, but you won’t know where to go next until you give one a try!

[@EnglandLives]

@@thatfitfriend Paralysis by analysis sums it up well, I just need to jump in and have a go :) thanks for the advice fren!

[@thatfitfriend]

@@EnglandLives welcome! Keep me posted on what you end up deciding and how they work 🤝

[@EnglandLives]

Also I would like to know your opinion on the rehband 7mm that are like the OG knee sleeves, have they been surpassed by other 7mm sleeves or do they still hold their own in the market?

[@thatfitfriend]

I like them! They tend to last a while but there are options that are a little more budget friendly like Stoic sleeves.

[@ibrahimthai4896]

Brother love your YT & IG content

[@thatfitfriend]

Thank you so much!

[@jamalbethea1965]

Thank you good job 👍🏿

[@MrSameerkhan51]

Awesome video, appropriate it!

[@thatfitfriend]

Glad it helped! Shout if you have additional questions 💪

[@thelastairvinder4240]

Is there really a big difference in support between an sbd vs cheaper once? I have similar sleeves, the black and white ones you have, but it is brandless and only cost $15, 7mm neoprene as well. I want to maximize my squats and currently my 1rm is at 1.8 of my bodyweight. Do you recommend the sbd for me? And if yes, should i size down or remain true to size? I have no plans to compete but just want to maximize my 1rm strength.

[@thatfitfriend]

Yes, the stitching and support are pretty different. The SBD provides a bit more support across the board and the neoprene doesn't stretch to the same degree especially over time. I'd say go true unless you're on the smaller side of the range, then going down a size would be a safe bet! They'll break in over time, too.

[@siiNke]

my knee is fucked from skiing. so i always use knee sleeve

[@thatfitfriend]

Feels. Mine are beat up from hockey growing up - dang knees.

[@christofear]

Thanks man

[@letsgoletsgoletsgoletsgoletsgo]

so im an old skater , 41 and i JUST popped my MCL badly doing the most mundane trick ever. i know weightlifting knee sleeves are tight and stiff as F , im just thinking anyone using it to skate ?

[@thatfitfriend]

I don't know anyone doing so and don't want to comment here due to not knowing the extent of the injury etc., but def keep me posted if you try them out!

[@mountainlife2411]

I'm 41, and use them for snowboarding. Might just mental support more than anything, but I'll take it. Should be fine for skating.

[@mikepaul4184]

Hey Jake great info. I am looking at getting a new pair of knee sleeves for squatting and some accessory movements. Previously wore 5mm Assassins by Rock Tape. Had knee surgery (meniscus) back in March & I am now able to tolerate heavier loads while training legs. 7mm SBD sparked my interest. I Googled the written review on Best Knee Sleeves For Squats, Powerlifting, CrossFit And More. The review listed 7mm Gym Reapers, Exo 7mm & 6mm 26 Element knee sleeves with no mention about SBD?

[@thatfitfriend]

Hey! Thanks for checking out the content. IMO, you can't go wrong with the SBD if you want a stiffer sleeve. The Gym Reapers are also great but won't feel as rigid as the SBDs. If it's the BarBend list that my name is on...I haven't touched that in years and my old company has people update it while my name is still on it. Not my favorite thing in the world, tbh, because it can be a bit misleading regarding what my picks actually are. I would have SBD as my top pick in multiple categories if I was still leading that list. I only train in SBD and Gym Reapers these days. SBD for heavier barbell day and GR for my functional fitness days.

[@mikepaul4184]

@@thatfitfriend Thanks for your response! Think I’ll go with a pair of SBD for 7mm sleeves & another pair of sleeves for versatility use. Have you tried 6mm sleeves by Element 26? They seem to mimic the Gymreapers in design, just in 6mm instead of 7mm. Do you have any top pick or picks for 5mm sleeves as well?

[@JC-gy5bh]

Great video man! thanks! Leg extension give me the most pain second to leg press for some reason, would wearing 3mm help? I assume 7mm would be to thick for those excercises. Thanks!

[@thatfitfriend]

Thank you! They might help, but I’d say it might be more productive to explore your quad:hamstring strength, movement execution, and scope of your current program! IMO, you can use a sleeve for light support, but definitely explore some of these more macro aspects to understand what might be causing the pain, then you can work around that accordingly! 💪

[@mackenzieschultz6443]

Bought mine bc my lifting buddies have them lol 😆

[@thatfitfriend]

😂😂😂

[@devthegod298]

They help you lift more weight simple it’s not raw though

[@thatfitfriend]

☝️☝️ Tell me you’ve never competed in powerlifting without telling me you’ve never competed in powerlifting…I’ll go first.

[@Luke.Popodoo]

So basically what you are saying is that all sleeves are just placebos.

[@thatfitfriend]

Not necessarily. Moreso that there are no definitive answers for everyone in the context of wearing knee sleeves. Everyone's experiences with them will be slightly different and the benefits that come along with them will vary per lifter, type of sleeve used, and the type of activity being performed! For example, I ruptured my quad on my left leg a few years ago. Knee sleeves for me now help with both the mental component of moving heavier weight and they help with me form due to their material giving me a nice mental cue and reminder to drive with my quads more (something I've had to retain myself to do). This is individual though and knee sleeves could provide you with a slightly different fit/feel and their uses could change based on how they support your performance.

[@randykirstuk8978]

Thank you I am looking for a sleeve that is more sock like compression sleeve where should I look for thinner. I am not looking for too thick.