Compression Wear

platypus · 18 May 2010 at 13:52

I'm looking at getting some compression wear for running as I'm hopefully getting properly back into exercise this year, touchwood, after my car crash - I'm looking at a pair of Skins shorts at present.

Anyone able to recommend any? Any more importantly any good retailers (I know my size so online is good)?

Edit: Can't decide between the shorts/half tights.

platypus · 19 May 2010 at 11:33

[DOD]Asprilla;16578573 said:
I've got compression tights that I sometimes wear for running, or for recovery after a 10k or an HM, but I can't say I'm really convinced by the effectiveness.

If they work as a placebo to enable my brain to convince itself that my legs can recover quicker then it's worthwhile I reckon.

platypus · 19 May 2010 at 13:57

If nothing else at least I'll have another item of skin tight lycra to wear

.

platypus · 20 May 2010 at 09:46

mpledge52 said:
Maybe a dumb question, but what's the difference between these compression wear and your normal spandex base-layer type stuff? Or are they one and the same?

I've got a few baselayers, both shorts and tops (hot and cold). I wear them when cycling to keep me warm/cool depending on the whether and I find them pretty effective. I do wear them in the gym as well, but that's just because I ride to the gym so can't be arsed to change. Though I do wear a t-shirt and shorts over the top when in the gym so I'm not a spandex monkey!

If you read the guff, they're engineered to add pressure to certain parts of the body, eg muscles, to promote blood flow and what have you. Whether it works or not is arguably a placebo, although studies have been undertaken.