I'm really curious to know what people's experience (as opposed to marketing hype) is about compression clothing.
Which ones do people wear, and when? Just for recovery or training and racing? And just for running or biking as well?
I've had a couple of sessions recently when I've tried to go a little faster than I normally do and found that I'm stil quite achy-legged the next day, so I've tended not to train, which breaks a fundamental rule of training I know. Would compression clothing help? The hype seems to suggest it might, but I'm interested inthe collective experience?
thanks
Comments
I dont tend to use them in the summer so much as its a tad on the warm side but def worth a go
Cant remember the name now but it was linked on here last year sometime and quite a few brought from him ....
I've got some DHB tights - I've only used them after running - cant say that I've noticed any difference.
Calfguards should be banned purely on fashion grounds. We look pretty dodgy as it is without looking like extras from the Britney Spears 'Hit me Baby' vid.
Interesting... I'm wearing my cep's right now....
I do feel a difference in recovery ... haven't raced in them but I might give them a try.
Rodeo, out of interest do you think the compression top helps?
I can see the logic in leggings or calf socks, but tops?
Skins are now selling a compression cycling jersey for £90 - that promises - more oxygen to your muscles.
That reminds me of the Festina team of 1999 who were saying that their results were so good as they had titanium threads in their shorts. Yeah. Well that and carload of EPO that got busted on the way to the Tour.
I'm VERY sceptical about the tops. Socks and leggings - hmmm - maybe.
Work got me a set of thermal skins and they do seem to just add a tiny edge, bit like a comfy saddle versus a racing one. The cheap ones like Aldi are great running kit but no compression effect noticed.
Skins are blooming expensive though.
I think they work pretty well (even if it's all in me 'ed - I'll take whatever advantage is out there!!), but I thought some of these bits are now banned under ITU rules? Calf guards in particular as they cover up your race number, or some other reason that I may have just made up...
Have I imagined this?
No you haven't my furry friend
Page 71 ITU Competition Rules 2010
45. Wearing clothes covering arms from shoulder to hand and/or clothing covering legs from knee to toes (in a non wetsuit swim) and on bike and run
-Warning and amend
-If not amended DSQ
Snipped from a long thread on the subject over on th edarkside
http://www.tritalk.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=68506&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
The chaps at IMtalk actually had someone in who had done some proper research and her conclusion was a marginal improvement for recovery, but you had to get the correct level/graduation of compression which may prove difficult.
Edit: to remove rogue smiley
so race WTC and wear compression kit or race ITU and don't
effing stupid