- What is the best knee brace for Crossfit injuries?
- Video: Knee joint anatomy
- Types of knee braces you should know about
- What are the most common knee injuries in Crossfit training?
- Buying guide: Tips on how to buy the best knee brace for Crossfit
- Are compression knee sleeves for Crossfit really effective?
Maintaining good health and a toned and trained body is important for many people. This is true for anyone who chooses Crossfit as a sport to achieve these goals.
Of course, this practice is related to possible injuries, being the knee braces one of the best solutions that we will talk about in this article, as well as the most common traumas, the appropriate clothing for them, their characteristics and more.
What is the best knee brace for Crossfit injuries?
- Sizes: S-M-L-XL-2XL
- Colors: 3 Options: Black, Red, Green
- Material: Neoprene
- No. of Products: 2 Pack
- Type: Closed
- Variety of colors
- Good compression
- 2 Units per order
- Comfortable and easy to fit
- Finishes to be improved
- No Breathable
Choose this pair of knee braces that includes as a gift a gym bag so you can carry it and you will feel safe when lifting weights, cross training or make maximum demands on the knee. Its structure is made of neoprene to prevent slippage and accumulation of sweat in the area. Although you should consider that, in some users with dermatological lesions, the use of this support is not recommended.
- Sizes: S-M-L-XL-2XL
- Colors: Camouflage Gray
- Material: Neoprene
- No. of Products: 2 Pack
- Type: Closed
- Various sizes
- High compression
- Quality materials
- Ergonomic design
- Finishes and seams to be improved
- Not suitable for washing machine
It is designed for the highest level athletes to demand the most of your knee. For this reason, the material with which they are manufactured eliminates sweat and always keep the joint firm. This superior meniscus protector will help you avoid injury and relieve pain while playing tennis, rugby or any other sport. Keep in mind, however, that some users may find this knee brace uncomfortable and too adjustable.
- Sizes: M-L-XL-2XL-3XL
- Colors: Black and Green
- Material: Nylon
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Closed with straps and Velcro
- Strap for optimum fit
- Breathable
- Large sizes
- Only one per order
The adjustable straps offer the necessary compression to maintain the balance of the joint, so you can choose any of the available sizes, but be careful because your decision may affect the grip and comfort when you use it. The breathable material adjusts 360°, creating a unique sense of security. Please note, the fabric may be insufficient to evaporate sweat for some users.
- Sizes: M-L-XL-XXL
- Colors: Black
- Material: Neoprene
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Open with lateral stabilizers
- Lateral stabilizer support
- Good compression
- Strong fit
- Breathable
- Large sizes only
- Delicate wash
- Only one per order
It has removable metal hinges on each side that together with the adjustable straps generate the right compression to keep the joint aligned. Knee stability is guaranteed when training or practicing your favorite sport thanks to the patellar support design. For some users, the knee brace may prevent them from climbing stairs or performing similar movements, so you should be aware of this point.
- Sizes: M-L-XL-2XL-3XL
- Colors: Black
- Material: Neoprene
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Open with silicone pad
- Silicone pad
- Adjustable straps
- Lateral support
- Quality finishes
- Large sizes only
- Too bulky
- Only one per order
Any of the sizes in neoprene is breathable, so you will not have problems when using it in summer or in hot weather. It has a pad coated in EVA rubber that works to stabilize the patella and prevent tendon displacement. Its design with adjustable straps generates greater stability thanks to its non-slip quadruple structure. If you need a support to exert pressure in specific places, this compressive sleeve is not recommended for some injuries.
- Sizes: One size
- Colors: Black
- Material: Elastic
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Open with straps and Velcro
- Adjustable straps with Velcro
- Good compression
- Breathable
- Quality finishes
- One size only
- Delicate wash
- Only one per order
It is designed to combat the symptoms of muscle sprains and strains thanks to its adjustable straps with Velcro closure and the ability to retain body heat to improve blood circulation. This knee brace comes in one size fits all for men and women, making it easy to fit anyone. Consider that this compressive knee brace, in some users, can easily fall out of place.
- Sizes: M-L-XL-XXL
- Colors: Black
- Material: Neoprene
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Open with straps and Velcro
- Adjustable straps for better fit
- High compression
- No small sizes
- Only one per order
Thanks to its different sizes, with bidirectional support, the internal pad adapts to the patella to compress the area and prevent its displacement. The system of straps with Velcro closure allows a better grip to stabilize the knee and stimulate heat. You can use it in summer without any problem because its material evaporates sweat. Consider that, in order to obtain a quick deflation, the injury should not be in advanced degrees.
- Sizes: S-M-L-XL-XXL
- Colors: Black
- Material: Breathable
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Closed
- Various sizes
- Good fit and compression
- No material specified
- Only one per order
Stimulation of blood circulation is easily generated because the length of this bandage keeps the quadriceps and calf muscles firm, which keeps the joint aligned and supported against sports overloads! You can also use it for surgical recovery or to prevent wear and tear in case of arthritis. In some patients the maximum flexibility of the knee is not obtained.
Video: Knee joint anatomy
Types of knee braces you should know about
What are the most common knee injuries in Crossfit training?
Crossfit is a discipline that requires all the physical effort of the body, taking it to its maximum point of strength and body resistance to tone, strengthen, consolidate and train the mental capacity, adapted to the requirements of the exercise. Nevertheless, the risk of injury is high, whether due to lack of exercise or other reasons.
The knees are the most commonly affected, especially the ligaments and all the weight and responsibility they bear, since they have to support the weight of the body and all the pressure that comes from outside. In this section we will mention and explain the most common knee injuries that you are likely to suffer at some point if you are one of those who practice Crossfit as a sport and/or discipline.
Physical Stress
Although it sounds very simple, it is more normal than it sounds that people who practice Crossfit can suffer from physical stresses throughout the knee area, including the components that make up this part of the body. To explain it a little better: When we say "physical stress," we mean the overuse and overload that occurs in the knees when you perform one or more exercises.
This causes the exerciser to develop an overconfidence in his or her physical abilities and endurance. He or she begins to demand more and more from the body until it reaches its limits, until it physically stresses ligaments, joints and kneecap muscles. This is a completely unnecessary and preventable event.
Knee pain
This injury is also common among athletes and should not be taken lightly, on the contrary. And why do we say that? Because knee pain is a silent and progressive injury that gradually appears in the mentioned area until it becomes unbearable if not treated in time.
This is due to the natural self-healing power of the body, the muscle fibers of the knee that have suffered a micro-tear, or the wear and tear of the trabeculae. This is caused by overuse and wear and tear on the knee during exercise.
Meniscus tears
Menisci are essentially two fibrocartilage structures located in the lower part of the knee joints. Their role is to support the natural joint function of the knees by cushioning the weights and pressures exerted on them by the body and ensuring the stability and proper movement of the joint.
Meniscus tears are another common injury among Crossfit athletes. It occurs when a person bends lower than recommended during a squat, when using kettlebells, or when doing leg presses too deep during another activity.
Fractures
This is another type of trauma in which the meniscus is affected, and it is because a tear occurs in the lining of the knee joints. This is the so-called "synovial tissue" that covers the joints and constantly produces a fluid that lubricates the joints, reducing and preventing friction or wear in this area of the knee. The situation occurs when the meniscus is squeezed forward when the knee is bent too much, causing the synovium to detach.
This is a very common occurrence in Crossfit, where participants are constantly doing very deep and demanding jumps and squats, so the lining can no longer properly lubricate the joints due to wear, friction and eventually wear and tear, and as a result tears occur in this area.
ACL injury
Tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) occur during Crossfit exercises where you jump on boxes, forward or backward, or when you carry too much weight on your shoulders and twist. These are tears that occur primarily when the exerciser puts more weight on their body than they are used to or can handle.
As a result, the knee becomes very unstable, leading to a problematic injury. If the knee remains unstable for a long period of time, osteoarthritis of the knee develops, and meniscus tears often occur.
Buying guide: Tips on how to buy the best knee brace for Crossfit
It is important to know the risks and knee injuries that we are exposed to in Crossfit, not only to prevent them, but also to know how to act and what decision to make in case of suffering.
According to their function
- Knee sleeves to relieve pain: knee pain is very common in Crossfit. Having a garment that significantly reduces pain is one of the most important purchases you can make, and it is also very important to use knee braces that reduce and relieve pain. In this way, you are treating a problem that could be getting worse, and at the same time, you are giving that area of the body the support that it otherwise would not have.
- Knee braces to reduce inflammation: If you have suffered a knee injury and are recovering from it, or if you have just suffered an injury but it has only resulted in swelling of the knee, using these anti-inflammatory garments will be effective in improving the problem. Sports knee sleeves work by adding extra heat to the affected area, gradually reducing the swelling and the effects of the injury.
- Knee supports: remember that the primary and original purpose of knee braces is to provide additional support to the knees that cannot be achieved in any other way. By providing your body with this quality, they also prevent you from sustaining minor or serious injuries during this exercise that could have negative consequences on your health. These garments are therefore highly recommended to avoid any kind of injury, especially in this discipline that is so common.
- Knee straps to improve the function of the kneecap: the kneecap is one of the components of the knee on which some of the weight loaded falls and also ensures that it does not tilt backwards and remains firm. The importance of using knee braces to help with this is due to the fact that Crossfit involves a lot of exercises that involve high jumps with a lot of momentum, a lot of weight being loaded, constant running, and more that can damage the kneecap. A sports knee brace keeps the joint in place and provides extra support and compression to keep it from moving and bending backwards.
- Knee braces for flexibility and freedom of movement: The knee supports used by crossfitters keep the knees healthy and in good condition, preventing possible injuries in this area. This garment is one of the most recommended because it gives you freedom of movement and is flexible enough to keep your knees functioning optimally during more demanding exercises like powerlifting.
Material
The material from which the compression knee sleeves are made is a very important aspect to consider when buying, because the durability of the sportswear can be partly seen from the material. At the same time, the degree of compression of the knee brace depends on it.
The most common materials used to make these parts are neoprene, fabric or the latest compression band. So, you would have to assess the level of the person and decide which compression knee brace is best depending on their ability to do Crossfit. For example, if you are just starting out and are a few months old, a fabric model is the way to go because it has low compression but is also warming.
On the other hand, if you are an advanced person and you are more physical, you should choose the wetsuit because it has a medium pressure and it will support you effectively during your workout without worrying about injuries. However, if you are a weightlifter and have much more experience in Crossfit, you should opt for the more advanced sports knee braces, as their compression level is extreme, ideal for competitions. According to the experts in the field.
Type of support
The fastening aspect is very important as it ensures that the knee brace they are wearing stays firm and secure, which also serves to give them peace of mind while performing a Crossfit exercise.
For this purpose, there are many types of support, among which we can mention the following:
- Knee braces with Velcro: This is a fastening system that is often used in clothing to provide greater compression and also, the person can adjust it to their convenience and how much they need to compress their knee, also depending on what anatomically deserves and what the Crossfit exercise requires of them.
- Knee braces with straps: There are also this type of knee braces with straps, which are very useful and versatile because they adapt to the knee by compressing it tightly. They have a much more mechanical device than Velcro, so they are very difficult to open during exercise. Perfect for Crossfit exercises with a lot of movement like running, jumping, sliding, etc.
- Hinged knee braces: Knee braces with side hinges are great for stability and freedom of movement of the knee. They fit this area of the body very well, acting as lateral compressors and serving as walls that limit and hold in position certain internal parts of the knees.
Size
Knowing the size is one of the first aspects to consider when buying a compression knee brace, and it is very important because this sportswear must not be too loose or too tight, otherwise it will not be able to perform its functions properly or effectively, and you will also endanger your physical health.
Therefore, the first thing you should do before buying is to measure the diameter of your knee. To do this, take a flexible measuring tape, wrap it around the joint and mark the measurement that corresponds to the diameter of the joint.
Again, we recommend that you pay attention to the type of material and the thickness of the knee brace that you want to buy, because if it is a round fabric with a pronounced thickness, you will not be able to measure your knee very closely. Therefore, you need to take into account these specifications that we will provide you.
Design
There are too many knee orthotics to mention in this article. Black ones are best because they don't let dirt show through easily, but you should always remember to wash them after you use them. The sports knee braces you find here are easy to wash and maintain, which is a plus for your purchase.
You will also find that there are an infinite number of designs on the market, including colors, camouflage colors, solid colors, anything you can imagine. Breathable stockings are very comfortable and useful because they are tight, soft and elastic, especially in the back and around the knee. They allow the skin to breathe easily and quietly, promoting blood circulation.
Price
Crossfit is a physical discipline with modern training methods. Therefore, for a correct and healthy execution, it is necessary to equip the knees with the best protective equipment, since they must be constantly moved.
The knee braces offer all the features necessary for the development of Crossfit: good support, joint stability, compression, flexible and breathable materials, etc. They serve both to prevent and recover from injuries, advantages that few garments can offer, and also guarantee their effectiveness and durability.
Therefore, buying compression knee sleeves that have all the above aspects will be much more to than the average that can be found in any online store or pharmacy, and these can further affect the joint if you have discomfort and do not perform the functions for which they were purchased.
Are compression knee sleeves for Crossfit really effective?
Compression knee sleeves are made and designed for people who play sports like Crossfit. Their main advantage is that they naturally adapt to the shape of the knee and provide extra support to the ligaments, joints and muscles that make up the inner part of this important area of the body for practicing this sport.
Thus, they not only provide the best protection for the knee to avoid unwanted injuries, but also promote blood circulation inside the knee. Thus, it is not only a support for this area, but also ensures that all the components of this part of the body stay in place and are fully protected and healthy.
It has been shown that compression knee sleeves are very good for people who practice Crossfit, also serve for people who lift heavy weights, for those who perform demanding activities and exercises, but with the use of these garments maintain their physical health and body in good condition and completely safe.