Knee Support
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Frequently Asked Questions About Knee Support
Q1. What is the difference between knee sleeves and knee wraps?
A1. Knee sleeves slide on and provide warmth, compression, and support during squats and leg pressing. They are worn throughout a session. Knee wraps are wrapped tightly around the knee before a heavy set and removed between sets — they provide more aggressive rebound at the bottom of a squat and are used by competitive powerlifters for maximal-effort squats.
Q2. What does 7mm mean for knee sleeves?
A2. 7mm refers to the thickness of the neoprene material used in the sleeve. A 7mm sleeve provides substantial compression, warmth, and support — the standard for powerlifting competition use. Thinner sleeves (3mm, 5mm) offer less support but are easier to put on and more breathable for general gym training.
Q3. Do knee sleeves improve squat performance?
A3. Yes. Research shows that neoprene knee sleeves increase intra-articular warmth and compression, which can improve proprioception (position awareness) and reduce discomfort at the knee joint during heavy squatting. Knee sleeves also provide rebound from the stored energy in the neoprene at the bottom of the squat, allowing heavier loads to be lifted.
Q4. How do I measure for the correct knee sleeve size?
A4. Measure the circumference of your knee joint in a fully locked (straight) position, placing the tape measure at the centre of the kneecap. Use this measurement against the size chart on each product page. For powerlifting and heavy squatting, size down for a tighter compression fit. For general gym use, use your measured size for comfortable support.
Q5. Can knee sleeves be used for activities other than powerlifting?
A5. Yes. 7mm knee sleeves are suitable for squats, leg press, lunges, cycling, and any activity involving repetitive knee loading. They are particularly beneficial for people with existing knee discomfort or those training in cold conditions. They are not recommended as a substitute for medical treatment of knee injuries.
Q6. Are knee wraps or knee sleeves better for heavy squatting?
A6. Competitive powerlifters use knee wraps for maximum single-effort squats due to the additional rebound they provide. For training volume (multiple sets of moderate to heavy weight), knee sleeves are preferred as they allow continuous wear and don't restrict blood flow between sets. Most recreational lifters benefit more from knee sleeves than wraps.
Q7. What warranty comes with Hack Athletics knee sleeves?
A7. Hack Athletics 7mm knee sleeves carry a 6-month limited warranty from the date of purchase covering tears to the inner neoprene layer occurring under normal training use. The warranty does not cover external fabric wear, surface abrasions, fading, or damage from machine washing, tumble drying, or wrong size selection.