Knee braces come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. They’re often worn to treat knee injuries, osteoarthritis, and prevent injuries from reoccurring. However, you may be wondering if you should use a knee brace while working out, even if you’re not injured.
The answer depends on your personal goals and risk factors. Most people who use knee braces try to avoid causing further injury to their knees. Although, even if this is not your primary objective for wearing a knee brace, there are still various benefits to wearing a knee brace during a workout. In this article, we will explore some of these benefits.
What Does a Knee Brace Do?
A knee brace is a device worn to support the knee or protect the knee from injury. The brace aids in the healing of the knee and supports it, which helps expedite recovery after an injury. This also helps prevent future or further injuries and makes it easier for athletes to play their sports. This device can also be used during exercise or daily activities. It’s often made from breathable materials like cotton or neoprene, which allows for proper air circulation around the knee area.
What Are The Types of Knee Braces?
Knee braces come in a variety of models for different purposes. They most common types of knee braces include the following:
I. Prophylactic
Prophylactic braces are designed to prevent injury and are used by athletes with weakened or injured knees as well as those who want to avoid future injuries.
Still, injuries are inevitable, and prevention is better than rehabilitation. Therefore, using one during strenuous activities such as running and jumping can be beneficial.
II. Rehabilitative
Rehabilitative knee braces are used by people who have suffered an injury and want to recover faster than they would without a brace. These types are worn after an injury has occurred, before returning to normal activities like jogging, running, and sports.
III. Unloader or Offloader
These knee braces are designed to reduce the force on a particular joint by increasing its mechanical advantage. Unloader knee braces relieve pressure from the joint and support it by spreading out your weight. This brace is typically used for those in recovery from surgery, sufferers of osteoarthritis, or knee injuries like patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).
IV. Functional
This type helps people regain their range of motion after injury. Functional knee braces support weakened muscles and stabilize weak joints during exercise. This, in turn, helps improve their overall strength and muscle tone.
Why Should I Wear a Knee Brace?
Wearing knee braces is often vital for athletes with weaker knees or for those who regularly exercise with injured or weaker knees. Some of their benefits include:
I. Increased Joint Stability
Wearing a knee brace can help increase stability in your joint. This is especially true if you have weak or injured knees, often causes by diseases and injuries such as:
- Osteoarthritis (wear and tear arthritis)
- Anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL)
- Posterior cruciate ligament injury (PCL)
- Meniscus tears
A knee brace will help keep your knee stable by providing support. Also, it allows you to move freely without worrying about injuring your knee again.
II. Reduced Chances of Strains or Sprains
A strain is a mild injury that accounts for 42.1% of knee injuries where there is some muscle tearing causing pain and inflammation. A sprain often involves a ligament being torn, which causes pain and swelling at the site of injury – which could be anywhere from minor swelling to severe bruising or inflammation.
Knee sprains are common among athletes who play contact sports where there are a lot of twisting movements, such as football or basketball. A torn ligament can take weeks or months to heal, even with proper rehabilitation treatment. So, wearing a knee brace reduces the risk significantly and aids recovery by protecting and supporting the knee.
III. Protection Against Injuries/Inflammation
Knee braces are designed to protect your knees from injuries that may occur during exercise or competition. The brace will alleviate the pressure on your knee joint by absorbing the impact when you land from a jump or take a hit during play. This helps reduce the risk of injury and inflammation.
IV. Ability to Train Longer/Harder
Wearing a knee brace while exercising will allow you to train harder than ever. Your leg muscles will be able to contract more forcefully since they aren’t fighting against each other. This is because they’re being held together by a brace that simultaneously supports both sides of your knee joint.
It means more power behind each step taken. This translates into faster speed when running or sprinting and increased endurance overall. This is because less stress is placed on your joints during workouts involving heavy weights or exercises such as squats.
V. Promotes Healing
Knee braces can help promote the Healing of some injuries. Suppose you have a previous injury and want to get back into the game as soon as possible, then it’s vital to wear a knee brace every time you practice or play. The brace will protect the area from further damage during exercise and allow it to heal faster than if you weren’t wearing one at all.
Should I Wear a Knee Brace While Working Out?
Suppose you are considering a knee brace for the first time; it’s vital to know that different types of braces are available on the market. Depending on your needs, one type of brace may be better than another. The Ascender Knee Brace is one of the top-selling knee braces on the market today. It’s an excellent choice for many people because it’s comfortable and easy to wear. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about it getting in your way while working out or playing sports.
Our product is durable, so you can count on it lasting a long time. It’s made with high-quality materials and features an adjustable strap. Thus, it’s easy to get on and off. It also comes in different sizes that fit your body perfectly. If you need a knee brace, please contact us to learn more about our products and how they can improve your lifestyle.
