- 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
- Colors: Green, Pink and Grey
- Material: Breathable
- Nº of Products: 2 pieces
- Uses: Rehabilitation and sport
- Elastic Fabric
- Double Anti-Slip Silicone
- Ergonomic & Adjustable
- Sport Design
- Unisex
Double Anti-Slip Silicone
Various Colours and Sizes
Stretch Fabric
- Sizes: S/M, L/XL, XXL
- Colours: 2 Options: Black, Green
- Material: Neoprene
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Closed
- Good fit
- Strong compression
- Not machine washable
The technology used in the manufacture allows the neoprene material to achieve a better and faster recovery from knee injuries or post-surgical stages. It can also be used by patients with arthritis or joint wear. The different sizes, for men and women, offer a mesh back ventilation that decreases moisture build-up. Be careful because the pain may not go away if you don't choose the right size knee brace.
- Sizes: XS-S-M-L-XL-XXL
- Colours: Black
- Material: Breathable
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Closed
- Suitable for CrossFit
- Variety of sizes
- No material specified
The ergonomic design of the unisex knee brace relieves pain through compression and provides the correct alignment between the femur, tibia and patella, thus preventing further injury. It is suitable for use by men and women who suffer from arthritis or need to recover from surgery. The patellar sports compressor may not be effective in relieving pain in some cases.
- Sizes: XS-S-S-M-L-XL
- Colours: 2 Options: Red, Camouflage
- Material: Breathable
- No. of Products: Single
- Type: Closed
- Lightweight design
- Good compression
- No material specified
The material the knee brace is made of is neoprene, which helps to keep the skin ventilated and free of sweat. Strategically designed internal side supports provide the perfect anatomical support to maintain stability as you go about your daily activities. If you choose this garment to restrict patellar movement, it can be ineffective in advanced injuries.
- Sizes: S-M-L-XL
- Colours: 12 Options
- Material: Neoprene
- No. of Products: 2
- Type: Closed
- Variety of sizes
- Ergonomic design
- Hight Quality
- Good compression
- Gentle washing
- Sizes are small in some models
It is made of neoprene with a 4-strap laycra lining for durability and comfort when training. Knee range of motion will not be diminished with any of the unisex sizes you choose of this elastic band. After two or three uses, in some cases, the support may begin to lose support and start to move around the knee.
- Sizes: S-M-L-XL-XXL
- Colours: 3 Options: Black, Red, Multicolour
- Material: Neoprene
- Number of Products: 2
- Type: Closed
- Variety of models
- Strong compression
- High performance
- Breathable material
- Delicate wash
- Improved seams
It relieves pain in a matter of seconds and prevents the joint from becoming misaligned, which can lead to ligament and tendon injuries. Daily use of this knee brace will stimulate blood circulation without the need for another brace. Please note that in order to relieve knee pain, you should choose a knee brace that is compatible with the circumference of your joint, otherwise the elastic band will lose efficiency.
- Sizes: XS-S-S-M-L-XL
- Colours: 13 Options
- Material: Neoprene
- No. of Products: 2
- Type: Closed
- Variety of models
- Good fit and compression
- Not machine washable
The different sizes can be worn by both men and women and the anatomical fit provides better resistance to keep the knee secure from misalignment. The breathable material helps evaporate sweat and maintains the warmth needed for therapeutic benefits. It can happen that, in too demanding activities, this brace is not suitable due to the pressure it exerts.
- Sizes: S-M-L-L-XL-XXL
- Colours: Blue
- Material: Neoprene
- Nº of products: Single
- Type: Closed
- Hight Quality
- Stretchy and breathable material
- Medium compression
The knee brace adapts anatomically to any knee, but it is important that you choose your size precisely to prevent it from slipping when you are playing. The blue neoprene material provides stability by means of two lateral columns that align the joint. Don't pass up this offer, but if you're going to play sports where you'll need to get down on the ground, be aware that this product may be ineffective in keeping the kneecap in place.
- Sizes: One size fits all
- Colours: Grey and Black
- Material: Breathable
- Nº of Products: 2
- Type: Closed
- Discreet design
- 2 per order
- No material specified
The ergonomic design reduces pressure on the knee and improves joint stability. Thanks to the anti-slip silicone material, located in strategic areas in the support, the elastic knee brace does not slip during use. It is made of a 3D technology fabric, which makes it a lightweight and easy to carry ligament protector. Please note that the knee brace is not recommended for people who suffer from itching.
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.