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Lifting weights can cause pain or discomfort on the elbows especially if you have previous injuries or suffer from conditions like tennis or golf elbows. Fortunately, elbow sleeves are here to save the day!
The best elbow sleeves for lifting offer protection, support, and compression to relieve pain and stress on your elbows. This will help improve your performance and progress in your training. If you want to learn how to pick the right pair for your needs and other elbow sleeves benefits, continue reading the sections that follow!
How Do Elbow Sleeves Work?
Via: athleticmuscle.net
Elbow sleeves, like knee sleeves, are garments that are typically worn by athletes and weightlifters to reduce pain, prevent injuries, and offer compression and warmth.
They work by countering the force of the muscles around the elbow such as the triceps and biceps as you exercise. Because of this, the load that is being received by the joint becomes distributed and reduced, which can help prevent wear and tear in the long run.
In other words, the elbow sleeves offer support to the elbow joint so it won’t be damaged due to taking the whole load head on.
Depending on how thick elbow sleeves are, they can also compress the surrounding area to improve circulation. This increases the pumping of fresh blood for your muscles and keeps your joints loose throughout your workout.
Benefits Of Elbow Sleeves For Lifting
Via: athleticmuscle.net
Listed below are some of the many benefits and reasons why you should buy elbow sleeves:
1. They Improve Blood Circulation
As I have said, compression sleeves increase blood flow to the elbow area. This helps the blood reach deeper into your joints and muscles rather than just your skin. This also helps in distributing nutrients to your working cells and reduce pain and inflammation by enhancing the flushing out of toxins.
2. They Help In Injury Recovery.
Compression sleeves help speed up injury recovery, which is essential in weightlifting. Moreover, they allow you to continue training while recovering. They also help reduce swelling, pain, and discomfort so you can push yourself harder.
3. They Help Prevent Injury.
Of course, prevention is better than cure. Elbow compression sleeves not only help prevent weightlifting injuries but also reduce your risk of getting conditions like tendonitis. They keep your elbows warm and tight.
To know how to prevent weightlifting injuries, please watch this video:
4. They Help Regulate Your Body Temperature.
Because they can help conserve heat, elbow sleeves also help maintain the right body temperature as you exercise.
5. They Help Prevent Muscle Soreness.
Because of the improved circulation, elbow sleeves also help your muscles recover faster. By increasing blood flow, your muscle cells are able to release and remove toxins and by-products of exercise like pain-causing lactic acid. This, therefore, reduces muscle soreness and tightness.
6. They Protect The Skin.
Elbow sleeves can help protect your skin from the sun, bacteria, scratches, and irritation due to your workout environment or contact with equipment.
Factors To Consider When Buying Elbow Sleeves
Via: athleticmuscle.net
There are several things that you should consider before purchasing elbow sleeves for lifting. Here are some of the most important ones:
Material
Elbow sleeve materials range from regular stretch fabric to neoprene, latex, nylon, spandex, polyester, and a variety of woven fabrics. The material will not only determine the durability but also the comfort, breathability, support, and flexibility of the sleeve so make sure to choose wisely.
Some sleeves also have inserts or technologies that offer UV protection, odor protection, antimicrobial effect, and pain reduction such as copper-infused materials.
Choose something that will be easy to clean, quick-drying, and will hold up well even with constant or regular use. It should also be lightweight and well-ventilated. Some people also prefer thicker materials since this gives a tighter, more cushioned feel.
Support And Stability
The primary function of an elbow sleeve is to support the elbows. Take into consideration how much support your elbows require and their specific purpose for you. Are you recovering from injury or are trying to prevent one? Do you suffer from a particular condition?
Note, also, that more compression and support are not necessarily better. There is such a thing as too much stability that can hamper your performance.
Durability
Needless to say, you want something that will last. When choosing elbow sleeves for lifting, keep in mind which movements you usually do. Do you move your arms a lot like in push-ups and presses? If so, look for something that will stretch sufficiently and won’t tear with repetitive movements.
Mobility
Of course, it is also essential to maintain a full range of motion while lifting. Make sure your elbow sleeves will not restrict your movement in any way. Thicker materials and tighter compression often cause you to sacrifice mobility.
To check whether an elbow sleeve is right for you, try them on and move your arms and elbows around, preferably by doing exercises, to get an idea on how they will feel.
Warmth
Depending on your preference and need, you may want elbow sleeves that keep your joints warm and toasty. If so, choose something that retains body heat and is a bit thicker. Otherwise, if you often feel sweaty, sticky, or hot, go for a more lightweight pair.
Stitching And Finish
The quality of stitching also determines how long your elbow sleeves will last. A good elbow sleeve should feel firm yet comfortable. Pay attention to the stitching on all ends since these are usually the problem areas. Look for something that will hold up well and not hurt or irritate your skin.
Grip
Another critical factor is the grip, which ensures your elbow sleeve will not slip down, slide off, move around, or bunch up as you lift. This is not only annoying but can also affect your performance and waste your time if you have to adjust your sleeve all the time.
Look for sleeves with good grips or elastic bands at the end to keep them intact.
5 Best Elbow Sleeve For Lifting Reviews
Below are the top 5 elbow sleeves for lifting in the market today:
Picture | Best Bicycles For Seniors Reviews | Our Rating | Available |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Recovery Elbow Sleeve by Copper Compression | ||
 | Recovery Elbow Sleeve by Mava Sports | ||
 | Kunto Fitness Elbow Compression Support Sleeve | ||
 | Venom Elbow Compression Sleeve | ||
 | Tommie Copper Compression Elbow Sleeve |
1. Recovery Elbow Sleeve by Copper Compression
Boasting of the highest quality copper and most copper content, Copper Compression offers their recovery elbow sleeves to provide the comfort and support you need.
This garment utilizes genuine copper ions instead of the inferior and commonly used copper oxide. The distinction helps in relieving pain as well as supporting sore and stiff muscles.
This product also fits comfortably around your elbows and arms without rolling, slipping, or bunching. Simply refer to their sizing guide for the perfect size.
These elbow sleeves are so versatile that you can wear them at home, while playing sports, or at the gym while lifting for support and pain management. The material used is also so comfortable that you can hardly notice anything even if you wear them all day, all night.
They are also breathable and stretchable enough to allow for a full range of motion but still offer sufficient compression. This product comes in four sizes from small to extra large.
Pros
- Versatile for most physical activities
- Stays put on your arm
- Breathable
- Secure and comfortable fit
- Machine washable
- Does not irritate the skin
Cons
- Seems too thin and flimsy
- The seam running along the side can cause discomfort
- The sizing is problematic so you might either get something that is too tight or lacks compression
2. Recovery Elbow Sleeve by Mava Sports
Featuring the latest tech materials like bamboo charcoal fiber, the Mava Sports Recovery Elbow Sleeve offers superior durability and gentleness even on sensitive skin. This product also aids in recovery as well as provides comfortable support and pain relief.
Thanks to the compression action offered by the sleeve, you can enjoy less stiffness and soreness. It also helps in the reduction of swelling and inflammation while also offering elbow protection for quicker joint and muscular recovery.
Because the elbow sleeve is anatomically shaped, it has an improved ability to prevent injuries while also offering an excellent, comfortable fit. You can wear it all year round in any season and for sports, lifting, or various activities both outdoor and indoor.
It comes in five sizes ranging from small to XX-large.
Pros
- Durable
- Does not get too warm
- Material is not too heavy or thick
- Lightweight copper sleeve
- Non-irritating on sensitive skin
Cons
- You might need to go a size smaller to get ample compression
- Sizing is inconsistent
3. Kunto Fitness Elbow Compression Support Sleeve
If you are looking for phenomenal support and protection, go for the Kunto Fitness Elbow Compression Support Sleeve! This product is fit for all your activities requiring arm movements like weightlifting, CrossFit, volleyball, tennis, golf, basketball, and more!
You never have to worry about any restrictions because this sleeve lets you perform your best by offering a full range of motion. Unlike other brands, Kunto Fitness uses a four-way stretch material and fabric weave designed to conform to your arms and elbow, so the sleeves don’t feel too restricting.
Enjoy superior pain relief and support without sacrificing comfort and breathability. Because the sleeve is made of materials other than neoprene, your skin is also protected from itchiness and irritation.
This product also comes with a 100% money back guarantee if you ever become unsatisfied.
Pros
- Breathable and helps control arm temperature
- Good quality stretchable and tear-resistant materials
- Great snug and anatomical fit
- Reduces pain
- Does not slide down the arm
- Easy to clean and quick-drying
- Does not limit mobility
Cons
- Some users are dissatisfied with the sizing and fit
- May unravel easily from the top seam
4. Venom Elbow Compression Sleeve
Offering one of the best-targeted compression and heat retention for elbow joint recovery and rehabilitation, we next have the Venom Elbow Compression Sleeve! By using this compression sleeve, you increase the blood flow and reduce inflammation around the elbows for immediate comfort and pain relief.
Because of the lightweight and breathable design of this sleeve, you can enjoy a free range of motion. The material also eliminates bunching, slippage, or irritation.
This sleeve also features a firm yet flexible anti-slip grip design so you won’t have to readjust as you lift constantly. You can also count on the high-quality fabric to resist wear and tear even with daily usage.
Not only is this elbow sleeve durable, but it is also supportive and elastic. It comes in five sizing options ranging from small to XX-large. Refer to the company’s sizing chart for accurate sizing.
Pros
- Fits snugly and comfortably
- Anti-slip design
- Comfortable to wear
- Non-restrictive
- Breathable and lightweight material
- Durable
- Flexible and supportive
Cons
- The material is not hypoallergenic
- The exterior looks a bit cheap
5. Tommie Copper Compression Elbow Sleeve
Made with 86% polyester and 14% LYCRA Spandex material, the Tommie Copper Compression Elbow sleeve comes with amazing features that you won’t find in other similar products.
Aside from offering muscle and joint support all day, this sleeve also provides compression to relieve your elbow aches and pains. The CopperZnergy fabric not only enhances these functions but also helps in eliminating odor-causing microbes.
Stay protected from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays with the UPF 50+ protection. Unlike other sleeves that only incorporates copper ions, this sleeve is also zinc infused for better compression and relief.
Because of the lightweight, low-profile design of the product, you can comfortably wear it under your clothes all day, every day with no problems.
Pros
- Reasonable price
- Good quality construction and materials
- Comfortable to wear
- Sun and odor protection
- Does not slip or bunch up
- Great fit
- Does not stretch out too much after regular use and washing
Cons
- Somehow less supportive and more loose than expected
- Only provides minor pain relief to some users
In Conclusion
There you have it! Overall, the winner of the best elbow sleeves for lifting is the Venom Elbow Compression Sleeve! It offers everything you want in an elbow sleeve: comfort, durability, compression, support, and a full range of motion, all for a decent price!
The other products definitely come close, but your final pick will largely depend on your needs and preferences. If you are looking for other fitness tools, equipment, or garments, do check out these amazing product reviews that could help you find the perfect one.
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