Best shoulder support & braces for weightlifting, gym and fitness sports (UK) - Buying Guide: 2024

Weightlifting is one of the most dangerous sports, as athletes have to lift heavy loads and train at high intensity. As a result, accidents are frequent, especially on the shoulders, because they are overused and constantly loaded.

For this reason, the use of compression shoulder braces is recommended for injury prevention and recovery. These benefits are discussed in the following article, which explains the features, types, effectiveness and more.

What is the best shoulder brace for fitness injuries?

With the IPOW shoulder brace you will maintain the correct shoulder position at all times due to its adjustable velcro straps. The unisex design in breathable neoprene is suitable for sports and for relieving pain from rheumatic diseases. Simply insert your arm and lift the back of the support to place it on your shoulder. Then move the straps until you are comfortable and the joint is secure.

In a few seconds the blood will start to circulate better and you will feel the therapeutic effect immediately. It is important to know that this shoulder brace is intended for people who have advanced muscle weakness or suffer from osteoarthritis or acute tendonitis. Therefore, for patients with small injuries, the support is not adequate.

This ice pack splint can be used in two different ways to get the therapeutic effects of heat and cold. It has a medical gel pack that you place in the microwave and, when you want to stimulate the affected area with cold, you put the gel in the refrigerator for about two hours to keep it warm for 30 minutes.

The World-Bio ice pack shoulder brace can be used to combat inflammation and pain caused by bruises, tendonitis, bursitis and surgical recovery. The gel pack is reusable and can also be applied to the knee, ankle, hip and other joints. Its grip is not sufficient for sports practice or for any complexion movement. In addition, you need another person to help you place the heat pack when the injury is severe.

If you have suffered a tear, arthritis, rotator cuff injury, bursitis or tendonitis, then you should consider relieving the pain with a TRILINK shoulder brace. This sports brace has strong seams to bind the breathable neoprene fabric together and prevent skin irritation, keeping your shoulder protected at all times. You can also correct postural habits that cause wear and tear on the joint.

The shoulder brace we present to you has a pack to place a gel pack so you can perform a hot and cold therapy, but this gel pack is not included in this offer. Please note that the support of the splint is not sufficient if you have an advanced tendinitis or bursitis injury or if you want to do sports that require extreme shoulder movements.

With the Doact shoulder brace you will find the support you need to keep the joint firm when you have a muscle tear, inflammation due to tendonitis or dislocation. Its useful ergonomic design in neoprene allows you to relieve pain thanks to the blood supply that this garment generates in the affected area. The brace is designed to be worn on either shoulder, for both men and women, thanks to its one size fits all fit.

You will be able to perform any task and maintain a relaxed body posture when wearing Doact. It is important to note that you will need the help of another person to put the brace on. On the other hand, the pain may increase when you take the brace off, as you need to lift your arm during this action.

In just 4 steps you can put on any of the sizes of this protector made of high quality materials. It features double adjustable straps at the biceps that are fixed to the arm to create a feeling of stiffness in the joint. This product can be used when you have muscle strains, inflammation in the bursae or tendons.

The four-cornered pad in this design will allow you to further secure the shoulder for extra protection. The breathable neoprene is hand washable without bleach, so you can reuse it as often as you like. In some cases the size is too high and squeezes the armpit too much. The perpendicular strap can be uncomfortable on a woman's bust.

The stability provided by this shoulder support corrects the posture of both men and women. It has a removable double strap that adjusts to the front or back of the thorax, according to the needs of the user. The elastic material of which it is made provides greater comfort, keeping the shoulders fixed during all hours of use.

It can be used during sports activities or to stimulate blood flow in case of inflammation due to tears or tendinitis. Its strap located on the biceps allows a better grip of the brace, although it is important to consider that the double strap on the front of the thorax can disturb the armpits and also women's busts.

Another electronic product to consider for relieving the symptoms of sprains, arthritis and dislocated shoulders is this adjustable neoprene orthopaedic splint. With this immobilising brace you have the possibility to massage the affected area and receive the benefits of heat therapy at the same time. You adjust the available frequencies to maximally relax the tissues in the affected area by pressing the switch button on the arm.

Choose the level you like in just a few steps. You can use this shoulder protector after a long day at work or before sports. Please note that you should not use it in direct contact with the skin, as this can cause burns. In some cases the heated shoulder straps and the noise of the motors may cause discomfort to the user.

The Sports Laboratory shoulder brace with gel packs for cold-heat therapy is suitable for both arms and can be easily adapted to any person. It is ideal for promoting the exchange of nutrients from the blood with toxins left in the shoulder due to inflammation from arthritis, bursitis, sprains and tendonitis. It can be worn in summer or during sports, as the breathable neoprene keeps the skin cool.

The different combined sizes and the guide included in the product offer help to speed up the patient's recovery. Simply fasten the strap to the chest and press the arm band to receive maximum compression and shoulder support. The design can be large for smaller frames, and fitting can be difficult for some users with advanced pain.

Video: Shoulder joint anatomy

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What are the most common shoulder injuries in weightlifting and powerlifting?

In weightlifting, muscles, joints and cartilage are often damaged due to overuse, overtraining, obesity and even degenerative damage.

The shoulders and their joints are most at risk because they guide and support the weight we lift. Therefore, it is important to know what are the most common injuries to which the athlete is exposed during the practice of weightlifting disciplines.

Tendonitis

This is an injury that affects the tendons of the shoulder joint complex and is essentially caused by excessive tension in a muscle-tendon area. The most common movements or actions that cause tendinopathy are: repetitive stretching, throwing objects, or sustained exertion.

At least two of these three causes can be found in weightlifting and fitness, especially the stretching involved in holding and lifting weights overhead, which increases pressure on the entire shoulder joint complex.

Symptoms of tendinopathy may include: inflammatory pain from pressure on the tendon, pain or discomfort on palpation, decreased strength, difficulty or impairment performing daily activities, discomfort during active movements of the shoulder, and pain when attempting to stretch the tendon muscle.

Rotator cuff injury

This type of injury can occur when the tendons that attach to the bone and muscles become partially or completely torn, or when the bursa, a smooth layer that surrounds the tendons, becomes inflamed and irritated. It can occur after a sudden movement when trying to lift something too heavy, or when the athlete falls on the outstretched arm.

The above cases often occur during weightlifting, especially if the athlete unreasonably exceeds the recommended weight for their training level and shoulder joint strength. If the individual cannot support this weight, they may fall and tear their rotator cuff, for example. If they do not fall, a partial tear of these tendons will occur.

Fracture of the clavicle

This is the complete or partial separation of the bone that connects the upper part of the sternum to the shoulder blade. They are caused by a direct blow to any point of the bone. In weightlifting, it occurs when the athlete falls or hits the weights, which of course contain a considerable amount of weight; moreover, the shoulder joint complex did not have adequate protective equipment to cushion or protect blows and falls.

The main symptoms are: Pain in the area of the fracture, great difficulty in moving the entire joint, associated with severe pain, a drooping shoulder, a grinding sound when lifting the arm, bruising, severe swelling and bumps in the affected area.

Compression of the suprascapular nerve

The suprascapular nerve is located in the upper trunk between C-5 and C-6 and crosses under the ligament. This injury is common in athletes who participate in disciplines that place a lot of stress on the shoulders and head, such as weightlifting. This nerve can be compressed by acute injury, overuse, repetitive irritation, and lipomas, resulting in atrophy of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus and subsequent weakness or atrophy of the infraspinatus.

Compression results from impingement, which can be caused by constant pulling in the shoulder position during sports activities, depression of the scapula during retraction, hyperabduction, or excessive crossing of the arm during flexion.

Dislocation of the shoulder

This injury is caused when the ball head of the humerus bone comes out of the scapula. This happens mainly when it is pushed in front of the joint with force. The shoulder is most commonly dislocated in strength sports, especially weightlifting and crossfit.

The bone may be pushed completely out of the joint, which is called dislocation, or only partially, which is called subluxation. In either case, the shoulder is pulled, pushed or rotated outward, upward or backward by a strong pushing or pulling force. The main symptoms are swelling around the joint, severe pain, inability to move the arm away from the trunk, and numbness in the muscle over the shoulder joint.

Buying guide: Tips on how to buy the best shoulder brace for fitness or weightlifting?

Weightlifters, powerlifters and fitness athletes in general are subject to unpredictable injuries and damage. Therefore, it is important to choose the right protective equipment according to the requirements of each athlete. For this reason, when choosing such an important product as the sports shoulder brace, it is necessary to take into account various aspects so that the person can achieve greater benefits for their health and performance.

Depending on the function

• Shoulder braces: Sports shoulder sleeves perform a basic function for athletes: they provide safety during any movement, be it bending, pushing or lifting. They prevent the joints and muscles from performing these movements in a way that could cause damage. With their compression, support and hold, they provide the arms and shoulders with the support they need to lift weights or perform techniques in a safe and professional manner.
• Shoulder braces for pain relief: some shoulder supports are specifically designed to alleviate discomfort in this area, as they are made of materials and shaped to be used as a therapeutic support while being comfortable and in some way directing movement and preventing further damage such as inflammation. They allow the athlete to complete their exercises without causing muscle fatigue, and the muscle can recover quickly if pain is present.
• Stabilizing shoulder supports: they exert more pressure and better distribute the weight from the shoulders to the arm, providing support and balance in the arms when lifting weights. These are very useful for people who suffer from muscle weakness and therefore cannot offer resistance.
• Rehabilitation shoulder brace: shoulder compression sleeves not only play a protective role for the athlete, but are also often recommended by professionals for early recovery from injuries sustained during sports training. Depending on the design, they help stabilize joints, muscles and tendons to speed up the recovery process, especially if the athlete is undergoing therapy or wants to resume training after a break.

Material of manufacture

This feature is important when choosing shoulder braces, because the materials used allow them to perform one function or another. The most popular is neoprene, as it is supportive and compressive and has high strength and durability, although its weakness is low breathability. Because of the latter problem, it is also common to mix in high-resistance and breathable fiber types, with different proportions of the combination depending on the intended use.

Stretch fabrics are also recommended if you are looking for extra flexibility. They're also generally comfortable against the skin, especially if you're looking for a therapeutic effect, even if they don't provide much support, but rather offer the lifter support and mobility. Some contain a gel for heat therapy.

Type of support

It's important to know your level of physical exertion, health condition and goals in order to find a solution that is functional, supportive and safe, but also comfortable. The type of support can vary depending on the design and material of the shoulder brace. Some of the most recommended for weightlifting are:

• Straps: It is common for the straps to be adjustable in the chest area to provide adequate support for the athlete and to be able to close them tightly. It is important to note that these straps do not offer a wide range of sizes, as mentioned above, they are usually adjustable.
• Velcro: can be attached to splints, straps or snaps to provide additional security, compression and support. It is very common on compression and double-sided shoulder braces. Also, these garments can be adjusted beyond their standard size, often in the form of a closure.
• Hooks: Some shoulder support have discreet hooks on the back to provide good support and improve posture. These materials are made of lightweight metal embedded in fabric, so they won't hurt or hinder the athlete.

Size

The size of the shoulder brace is an important element to evaluate. There are different ways to choose them, as they can be one-size-fits-all, such as fully adjustable, elastic straps, or they can be flexible.

However, if you want to choose a garment that fits your shoulder to ensure proper and safe compression and other contributions, you should do the following: First, measure the circumference of the arm with a tape measure. If you want to find out the circumference of the torso, you need to go from the center to the armpit, and if you want to find out the total chest circumference for the shoulder braces, you need to go from armpit to armpit.

Design

Shoulder sleeves are designed differently depending on their function: Some completely cover one shoulder with cross support, while others, like chest pads, cover both shoulders and the entire chest like a shirt. Those that provide additional support, such as bilateral models, have cross straps.

The choice of model should be based on the needs of the athlete. For example, if you are looking for a model that ensures discretion, it is advisable to choose elastic materials that fit tightly to the body. Aesthetic harmony is another important design factor. Today on the market there are custom shoulder braces, with a custom closure or even with integrated pockets.

Price

The price of shoulder braces varies greatly depending on the material used, additional features, manufacturing process and even the season in which they are worn. Although the price is an important factor when buying a shoulder brace for weight training injuries, you should not buy the cheapest model, as its quality and functionality will be much lower and it will not cover the goals effectively.

Do compression shoulder sleeves for weightlifting really work?

Sports shoulder sleeves play a fundamental role in high-intensity sports such as weightlifting, especially powerlifting, as they serve asprotective equipment during training and muscle exposure, providing support, compression and assistance during every movement. In addition, shoulder braces also provide therapeutic benefits such as pain relief, prevention of inflammation and improved circulation.

When athletes make it a habit to wear these compression garments, they maintain their health and improve the performance of muscles and joints, as they are protected from sudden movements that can cause trauma or degenerative damage from small, unidentifiable injuries.

In sports such as weightlifting, muscles are often subjected to excessive stress. Shoulder supports also help prevent long-term damage from these factors, making their use in competitions and training almost essential.