compression pants

berksbadger

Pardon my ignorance but what are compression pants and how do they differ from shorts? When (and why) do you wear them?

thanks in advance for all wisdom

hopper1

They're to aid recovery after training...

cougie

I've used them for running and I've no idea if they work. Its so hard to prove ? But they were a free gift - so cant complain.

stokepa31

I use them after long hard rides and they do seem to make me feel better the next day. probably all in the mind but if it works it works

TommyEss

I certainly think my legs feel less achey the day after a really hard ride when I've used mine. Even if it is all placebo, it's the desired outcome (feels less achey) that I'm after!!

Hals1967

Instead of buying some I'm going to go for the placebo effect - I'll just imagine I've got some on and see if they work !

TommyEss

They're tight (I struggle to eat my dinner with them on!) - but the sizing chart on Wiggle for my 2XUs was incredibly accurate - it's a combo of height and weight.

Flasheart

Hals1967 wrote:

Instead of buying some I'm going to go for the placebo effect - I'll just imagine I've got some on and see if they work !

Hmm that fits my current budget, maybe I'll get some of those too

Ollieda

Whats the difference from "compression" and just normal itghy lycra baselayer type stuff? A lot of the "compression" stuff say they are for training aswell.....surely the baselayer stuff for training also works as recovery then?

tlw1

so if its about sizing, I will get the mother in law to was my normal sized pants & they will then become compression pants!

GyatsoLa

The only real difference with regular lycra leggings is that as the name suggests, they are a lot tighter than regular tight cycling kit. Like most of the others, I'm a little skeptical about the claimed benefits, but I know quite a few people who swear by them, they say they recover much better.

I got a pair of 2XU tights a few months ago - I'm not sure I recover so much better, but they do feel quite comfy - I find them nice to wear on those late spring days when its a little warm for 'longs', but still a little chilly. I also feel they give a bit of support to my knees.

TommyEss

They're also knitted like surgical stockings - so the idea/marketing schpeel - is that they give a bit more oomph to your veinous return, so should help clear out your returning blood and lymphatic system. They (the stockings) do give a measurable benefit to bed-bound patients - so it's not a giant leap to suggest they'd help in this case too.

They're not just really tight tights! (But they look like really tight tights until you get really close!)

cougie

One thing about mine is that they seem to keep the legs really cool ? Much cooler than if I'm not wearing them - its a bit weird. And we know that ice baths are advised after exercise, so I wonder if thats part of the performance ? If it helps the body cool itself, then its easier for the body to repair ?

ilm_zero7

Hals1967 wrote:

Instead of buying some I'm going to go for the placebo effect - I'll just imagine I've got some on and see if they work !

I am sure many and MP would pay good money to be trussed up in some compression pants!

stokepa31

mine are very tight and you can really feel the pressure. i sent my first lot back as they were too big. if you can get them on easily they are too big. if you know a nurse, just get them to get you some nhs ones. same princial!

shockedsoshocked

cougie wrote:

I've used them for running and I've no idea if they work. Its so hard to prove ? But they were a free gift - so cant complain.

http://scholar.google.co.uk/scholar?q=c ... as_sdtp=on

berksbadger

Thanks everyone - another mountain of uncertainty conquered.

I love this forum - everyone is so friendly and helpful.
Cheers
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