Introduction
We’ve all been there. Two weeks into a new Strava-official fitness routine, legs hurt and we’re wondering why we told our aunt we’d be doing a half marathon this year at Christmas dinner. If, like so many of us, inconsistency is your middle name when it comes to a workout routine, you’re in the right place.
Turns out, post-workout muscle pain can be a deterrent, holding many of us back from a regular exercise routine. Not only can muscle pain make us associate working out with feelings of discomfort, but it can extend the length of time the body needs to recover, delaying you from that all important second, third, fourth and fifth trip into the gym.
Unfortunately, it's these consistent workouts that allow you to build a habit and then begin to see some change in your fitness levels. Athletes often do anything they can to speed up their muscle recovery process so that muscle pain does not deter them from reaching their goals. If only there was some sort of device you could use to reduce your muscle pain that was scientifically proven to support muscle recovery…
Say Hello To Compression Socks
Meet your new best friend: compression socks. Here at Main Squeeze, we know a good thing when we see one. We also know that compression socks could help a lot of active people (and active aspirants) with speedier muscle recovery. Which is why we’re dedicated to telling you all about them.
What are compression socks?
Compression socks are essentially tight fitting socks that apply controlled, gradual pressure to your calves to improve blood flow through the veins. This pressure means the arteries that take oxygen-rich blood to the muscles can relax, so your blood flows freely, and your veins get a boost pushing blood back to your heart, preventing pooling.
But how will compression socks help me get back into the gym?
Well, improved blood flow is a one-stop shop to quicker muscle recovery. Whilst scientists used to believe that a build-up of lactic acid is what caused post-workout muscle pain and stiffness, research has now shown something different. Turns out, it’s actually blood cells rushing to the worked out muscles up to 48 hours after exercise that is causing that routine-killing, I’m-never-doing-that-again feeling. It even has a name: DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness).
So, the faster oxygen delivery provided by compression socks can reduce muscle fatigue and allow you to get moving again much quicker. But that’s not all. Alongside supporting healthy blood flow and therefore reducing muscle pain, compression socks can also:
- Reduce swelling in your legs, feet and ankles
- Protect against blood clots
- Lessen muscle strain and
- Support your veins to prevent varicose veins
The results speak for themselves. Research published in the International Journal of Exercise Science in 2021 proves that compression socks provide a significant and meaningful improvement on recovery variables (such as soreness, tightness, tenderness and pulling) following exercise.
So by now, we’re pretty sure we’ve given you enough reasons why compression socks are a must for your gym routine. But if you need one more: they can be cute, too.
Introducing Main Squeeze
Knee-high socks are currently taking the fashion world by storm. And here at Main Squeeze, we saw an opportunity to bring the benefits of compression to the world through thoughtfully designed socks that look good in the gym, the club and on a plane.
That’s right, we’re on a mission to prove that compression socks can look good. Along with being hot, our socks are crafted from breathable stretch nylon that provides you with 15-20 mmHg of graduated compression. They also wick away moisture whilst still feeling soft and cozy for all-day comfort.
Squeeze More Out of Your Workout
Don't let muscle soreness stand between you and your fitness goals. Whether you're training for that half marathon you promised your aunt or just trying to build a consistent gym routine, Main Squeeze compression socks are here to support your journey – literally and figuratively.