HOW BEST TO USE AND APPLY COMPRESSION WEAR GARMENTS
Compression garments can be worn before, during or after exercise. They can also be worn with a particular sport in mind.
People wear compression because they want extra support as they are new to exercise, are returning from injury, or have a long history of injury. Sometimes people wear compression because it makes them feel stronger and more powerful.
There is no fixed time length to wear compression. Before exercising it is about using compression as part of your normal preparation - getting in the zone.
After exercise, they can be worn for as long as you want, even overnight, or for as long as they are comfortable.
Long tights - best for high intensity and/or long duration exercise. You want as much of the muscles covered to provide the support and benefits.
Calf tights - Under the socks for team sports (rules dictate the long tights can’t be worn) or because you are a runner and cyclist and want extra support on an important muscle group that helps running and cycling efficiency. Also, many people want to soften the impact of hard or uneven terrain. Or simply to prevent injury.
Tops - Compression is applied over the arms – wear it matters most. Particularly the forearms. Think weights, think tennis, think basketball, think sports that require fine motor skills (e.g. archery), think explosive upper body sports like rowing. That’s wear a long top comes in.