The debate as to whether or not weightlifters should use knee wraps when training legs is one that has raged for decades. Some people swear by them, and wear them every moment they’re in the gym training legs. Others believe they are dangerous, and should be avoided at all costs. When one steps back and considers that in many movements on leg day, we’re moving several hundred pounds, and in some cases, up and over a thousand pounds (on the leg press, for example), it seems odd that such a support system for the vulnerable knee joints wouldn’t be automatic. Let’s check out two schools of thought, and see who is right.

Use your knee wraps!
First off, there is a group of bodybuilders that believes knee wraps should be used constantly, at any time the knees are being trained. Additionally, there is a tangent of bodybuilders and powerlifters who believe that knee wraps should be used occasionally, only providing support for those times when an athlete is attempting to lift a personal record in an exercise like squat or deadlift. It’s important to remove them immediately at the conclusion of the super-intense set. This allows blood to circulate more freely into the area. Moving blood into all areas of the muscle group is, after all, the goal of our trip to the gym each day!

Additionally, there are always days when we warm up our legs, and something just doesn’t feel right. The knee feels slightly “tweaked”, and the athlete knows that putting the joint to the test with a heavy workload could result in an injury. It is at times like this that knee wraps can provide just a tad extra bit of support to the area.

Don’t use knee wraps!
Some athletes believe that knee wraps are dangerous. They contend that allowing the knee joint to enjoy false support during lifts results in the tendons and muscles not adapting to the workload and becoming stronger. Instead, they are allowed to utilize this “crutch”, and become dependent on knee wraps over time.

The answer?
As with many things in life, it depends. Knee wraps are a support system, and need to be treated as such. If you have a weak area and feel they can help you grow stronger, give them a shot. However, do not become dependent upon them, or you will short-circuit growth potential in the legs. Listen to your body’s signs, and decide if they are helping you become stronger or stifling growth.

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