I have long been a fan of compression socks but just recently started wondering about the benefits of compression sleeves. I decided to look into using compression sleeves when running because I blister easily and compression socks tend to be thinner than what I like to run in. I purchased a pair of Zensah compression calf sleeves and haven’t looked back! In case you are curious, the purpose of compression (socks OR sleeves) is to help increase blood circulation, reduce the amount of time needed to recover and reduce muscle fatigue (for more on the science of compression read this and this – very non science minded friendly!).
So, you might be wondering if I’ve experienced any benefits of compression sleeves while running in them. Remember that time that I ran two marathons in 14 days? And remember when my leg cramped up awful when I ran Richmond? Well – when I ran Richmond, I wore long pants and no kind of compression. My legs cramped up and I had an incredibly painful last 12 miles of the marathon. When I ran the NCR Trail Marathon two weeks later, I wore shorts and my Zensah Compression Sleeves
Given my love of compression sleeves (and socks, too, but I just only run in the sleeves – I recover in the socks), I am excited to share that I’m signing on as a Zensah Ambassador! I love this brand and love their products (and purchased them WELL before I even knew that being an ambassador was possible). Super excited for this opportunity and hopefully will be doing a giveaway soon to share with you all!
Are you thinking about trying out compression gear? Here’s a handy chart that can help you decide socks or sleeves!
Do you use compression socks or sleeves?
*This is not a sponsored post – I wasn’t asked to write about Zensah – I just love them and my sleeves!
Congrats on becoming an ambassador for Zensah! I’m also a huge fan of compression socks and sleeves. Like you, I do most of my training in the sleeves and use the socks for recovery. I find that the socks are too thick! I like very thin socks 🙂
Liz @ Loving to Tri recently posted…Finish What You Start – #NoExcuses!
that’s funny that the socks are too thick for you – they are too thin in the heel for me 🙂
Awesome! Congratulations!! I love my compression socks and swear by them. I was having a few twinges in my calf yesterday after my 8 mile run and almost instantly it went away after putting my socks on! They are amazing!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…ActivMotion Bar: A great new way to work your core!
they really do help a LOT with recovery – love em 🙂
I love my Zensah’s! favorite pair of compression. Didn’t even know they had ambassadors! Congrats 🙂
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Marathon Training Diet: Eat to Win
thanks! they are my fav compression as well. i love love love them!!
I recently purchased a pair of Pro Compression compression sleeves. I’d been having issues with shin splints and tight calves, and people have been praising them for recovery. I don’t run in them, and have been wearing them after I run. I haven’t noticed much of a difference, tho…
try running in a pair of sleeves – see if that helps you!
Congratulations! I am a huge Swiftwick compression fan. It def cuts down on my soreness after long runs.
yes – i really do believe in compression!
Congrats on the ambassadorship! I am a big fan of compression socks and sleeves. I like the socks a little better bc I also like the ankle support.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…10 tips to Shovel Snow & Save Your Back
thanks – i love running in sleeves and napping post run in socks 🙂
I do like compression sleeves/socks. But I have never tried this brand. I will need to. I also never run with them on but use them as a recovery. However I wore them for the first time for a half marathon in Disney bc I was chilly and was wearing a skirt, so more for extra material on, but can’t say that I felt any better by wearing them.
i really love zensah – pro compression was too tight for me, sleeve-wise!
Courtney, I’m thrilled to hear that you are now an “official” Zensah girl (since you really were already – ha!) and that your are sharing your love of compression with others. I was not “sold” on the whole idea of compression socks/sleeves and then I finally wore a pair during my 20-miler before the marathon and the difference was amazing. I also started wearing them AFTER a long run (at home) and I think that helps, too.
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…Molly Gilbert’s Chicken Jerome
yes, napping w/compression socks on post run is the best!!
I have a couple pair of compression sleeves, but I always forget I have them and thus forget to wear them! I really need to get better at using them, I have only ever heard good things.
Elizabeth recently posted…My Weekend Update!
I wear compression sleeves for running and then the socks for recovery. I prefer sleeves so that I can wear my own socks.
Jen @ pretty little grub recently posted…The important of critical thinking
yes, that’s exactly what i do!
I am a huge fan of compression. Sleeves moreso than the socks because I don’t really like how the socks make my feet feel. I can definitely tell a difference in recovery time when I wear them vs when I don’t!
Salt recently posted…It’s a fitness dream come true! {ClassPass Baltimore!}
yeah, i like to run in the sleeves and rest in the socks 🙂
Congrats! That is very cool.
I have never worn either!! Humm… I am open to try them – sounds like they really help with recovery – win!
you should give them a try!!
I do wear compression, not only for recovery benefits, but for prevention of possible DVT. My sister had a pulmonary embolism from a DVT after flying cross country after a half ironman. Terrifying stuff. (She is OK!)
RFC recently posted…6 Common Race Day Ailments, & How to Avoid Them.
oh my goodness – that is so scary! i’m so glad your sister is okay. gosh!
Interesting! I have never worn compression anything, but I’ve only trained for and ran up to a half. I know at some point I’ll need some compression gear.
Jennifer @ Running on Lentils recently posted…Thoughts on Hansons Method: Higher Mileage
you should definitely give it a try!
I have both. I started with compression sleeves and use them almost all off the time on long runs. I too use the socks to recover. I used to cramp in my right calf all of the time. Since wearing sleeves my legs feel refreshed so much faster and the cramping is unheard of! I love my compression!!!
Staci @ Hoosier Running Mom recently posted…Life Lessons in Cooking, Dance and Forts
me too – it really does help! and i won’t run another marathon w/out my sleeves for fear of cramping!
Congrats on your Zensah ambassadorship! I actually only wore Zensah calf sleeves for a couple of years, but recently received some PRO Compression compression socks (the knee-high ones) and bought some of their calf compression sleeves.
I really like Zensah’s sleeves better because they’re tight, but I don’t feel like I’m going to pass out trying to get them on. It’s a struggle getting the PRO Compression ones on, and they give me this weird leg muffin top thing. I like the PRO socks better than sleeves personally, so it looks like I’ll be investing in more of the Zensah sleeves soon.
yes, exactly, i had the same experience w/pro compression – i would have marks on my legs bc they were too tight!
Compression can make a world of difference, can’t it?
it really can!
i was JUST talking to a guy from 2XU compression about the benefits of sleeves versus full socks! i never understood why someone would go with just the sleeves until he mentioned about people’s preference for their balegas or feetures socks and being able to pair those with the sleeves for optimal foot comfort while still having calf compression. personally i only really wear compression for recovery, but i may have to look into starting to wear the calf sleeves for some of my marathon long runs and see if that makes a difference since my last training cycle 😉
i was JUST talking to a guy from 2XU compression about the benefits of sleeves versus full socks! i never understood why someone would go with just the sleeves until he mentioned about people’s preference for their balegas or feetures socks and being able to pair those with the sleeves for optimal foot comfort while still having calf compression. personally i only really wear compression for recovery, but i may have to look into starting to wear the calf sleeves for some of my marathon long runs and see if that makes a difference since my last training cycle
Nevie recently posted…Race Recap: Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans Half Marathon
yes! try the sleeves for a long run – you’ll love em!
I love wearing compression socks and usually wear them during hard workouts and races – even short ones like 5k distance. For whatever reason, I feel like they make my legs feel less fatigued and like they have a little more bounce, if that makes sense 🙂
Sun recently posted…Bacon Hashbrown Casserole
I loooooooove my compression socks. I’ve just ordered my first pair of arm sleeves. I can’t imagine running without compression!
Congrats on Zensah! I’m a huge fan of their compression sleeves – they are my go to for recovery!
Congrats on the ambassadorship! I always where compression socks when I run!
I have never tried sleeves, but I am obsessed with compression socks.
you do wear them in almost all your running pics! 🙂