Nowhere in this article am I going to force you to start wearing the lycra suits of some cyclists and cross-fit enthusiasts. I am, however, going to share with you some new information recently surfaced on the benefits of compression clothing for muscle recovery and development. Contrary to popular belief, its main benefit isn’t just to show off a chiseled set of abs.
While a lot of the activewear market these days is dedicated to yoga pants and correct running shoes, over the past year there has been an increase in the production and consumption of compression wear for men, and we want to know why.
During your workout
Firstly, compression clothing has shown in a number of studies that it can actually improve the blood flow of the area that is covered. Manufacturers such as Skins, 2XU and Nike have utilised this clothing technology to increase oxygen delivery to muscles during their usage on customers. Put simply, the pressure of clothing and placement of seam lines can actually act as a light stimulator to a muscle when it expands and contracts. What does this mean? Stimulation results in an increase in blood flow and oxygen delivered to the muscle resulting in an increase in circulation, strength and recovery time.
Secondly, although it’s not a scientifically proven benefit of compression clothing, its extreme comfort and flexibility go without saying. Besides showing off bulging arms or booty gains, the clothing is a perfect choice for almost any exercise whether it be running, lifting, cross-fitting or yoga. Having non-catchable clothing that still gives you the benefit of heat retention is one of the best things about compression clothing.
After your workout
And lastly, wearing compression clothing for muscle recovery has often been a benefit looked over by gym goers and professional weight lifters. Just as it does during your workout, the clothing increases blood flow to the muscles reducing overall recovery time and pain the following day. There are specific product lines of compression clothing for both stages of muscle development, catering to the extent of your exercise needs and commitment.
If you’re going to test out the effectiveness of compression clothing keep an eye on the days of recovery needed after a serious leg day. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the reduction of downtime.
