Compression clothing?

[suki_007]

I was just looking at the link that Saublegirl posted about the Aldi stuff (I wish I had an Aldi around here!) and I wondered what it is that the compression clothing does? Obviously compresses, by why, and how does it improve the runner's lot? Thanks a lot!

[Oldgirl Graduate]

For a start suki compression clothing fits snugly and firmly around your muscles which gives some support. I also find that running leggings and tight fitting tops are a huge bonus on a windy day as there is no lose clothing to catch the wind and cause drag, its bad enough running against the wind without flapping clothing slowing you down. But I would say the main thing is the support it gives to your leg muscles.

[suki_007 Graduate in reply to Oldgirl]

Thanks Oldgirl - I will invest in some if I can find it here. The local Lidl is doing a bit of running stuff from Thursday, so here's hoping. I recently went online and bought a running top with a hood and I've worn it a couple of times but it doesn't do the wicking thing and when I come in from running and I'm doing my stretches, it gets really cold very quickly cos it's all damp - yeuch! I need something like this wicking stuff under it.

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Try sportsdirect.com they deliver to Europe but not sure how much the postage would be. A good selection of various priced running gear to be had from them.

[suki_007 Graduate in reply to Oldgirl]

Thanks a lot - they've got leggings in lots of different colours and cheap too - I will get a couple of those too, brilliant!

[mark909 Graduate]

Apparently they're meant to aid the amount of time it takes your muscles to recover. So I guess if you wear them you don;t ache as much afterwards. I was looking at some the other day but they all seem to be expensive. The Aldi stuff sounds good though. It will be interesting to hear what people think.

[Innuendo Graduate]

A wear Under Amour compression shorts and top. Basically, they keep you warm when It's cold and cool when It's hot. Therefore, your muscles are kept at a nice temperature for running and you (in theory) suffer from less aches and pains.

You can get shorts and tops for around £18 each (eBay/Amazon) and I couldn't recommend them highly enough.

[sbhoa in reply to Innuendo]

All I can imagine is getting way too hot with an extra, close fitting layer.

Have enough trouble with temperature control just sitting on the sofa these days.....female...funny age.....

[suki_007 Graduate]

They sound great innuendo, I will look into that and mark909, that sounds like a very good thing. I'm slightly nervous about the winter as it's my first winter running, but I've got some little running gloves and I have a hat so hopefully with these things too I'll be good to go as they say!

[completerunner]

The USP (unique selling point) of compression garments is to increase blood flow to the area they are being worn. This helps to flush away lactose acid, which is the stuff that makes your muscles ache. This in turn reduces recovery time and enables you to train harder for longer.

(In flight tights work in the same principle to prevent blood clots, deep vain thrombosis….)

This can give you the edge over your competitors by decreasing the need for rest days and enabling you to train harder every day. This may not be a requirement for anyone just starting the C25K training sessions, but may be beneficial as your training increases.

The side benefit is the compressing properties prevent the blood flow to the outer skin tissue which enables the blood temperature to remain regulated. Hence they keep you warm in winter and cool in summer as described by Inuendo.

Hope this helps...

[BlueSkies9 Graduate]

I was surprised to see you could get compression sports bras...sounds thoroughly uncomfortable to me and have never suffered from sprains or lactic acid build up there!!

[sbhoa in reply to BlueSkies9]

You can get them but if you can get one on I think it's on for life......