A few weeks back, I was offered the opportunity to test out some compression gear from
Tommie Copper. Not one to turn down a chance to try out a product I think I will utilize, I decided to test both the
calf sleeves and the
knee sleeves.
Prior to being contacted by
Tommie Copper, I knew very little about the company and their products. So, I did a little digging and here's what I learned.
"Tommie Copper compression garments are specifically designed to form-fit the user's physique. They are extremely comfortable and lightweight, unlike ordinary compression wear. Because of the enormous surface area of copper in our exclusive fabric, circulation and oxygen flow of the blood are greatly enhanced. (Tommie Copper offers ankle, calf, knee and elbow sleeves, compression shirts and compression gloves.)
Until now, compression wear was designed primarily for athletes to be worn for short periods of time to increase performance, enhance recovery and alleviate pain. Today, everyone can tap into these benefits with Tommie Copper. Our product line is enhanced with copper infused yarn and engineered to be worn all day, everyday. It acts as a support to aching joints and muscles, and delivers the benefits of copper at the point of your discomfort."Interesting. I am a big fan of compression, but I had never heard of the benefits of copper. And I bet you haven't either. Until now ...
"Copper is necessary for the growth, development, and maintenance of bone, connective tissue, brain, heart, and many other body organs. It is involved in the formation of red blood cells, the absorption and utilization of iron, and the synthesis and release of life-sustaining proteins and enzymes. These enzymes in turn produce cellular energy and regulate nerve transmission, blood clotting, and oxygen transport. Copper stimulates the immune system to fight infections, repair injured tissues, and promote healing. Copper also helps to neutralize "free-radicals" which can cause severe damage to cells. Symptoms of copper deficiency include osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis."
Armed with that knowledge, I put on the calf sleeves and let the testing begin. I was immediately impressed by how quickly my calves felt refreshed. In fact, I tweeted this ...
Montel Williams even took note ...
I wore the sleeves all day and when I ran later that evening, my legs felt awesome. The following morning, I left my knee-high socks at home and donned my Tommie Copper calf sleeves for my long run ...
I'm pretty sure G thought I had been possessed.
The sleeves performed well during the run. On a rather hot day, my legs felt cool and my calves were strong (no chafe, either). I'm not sure if it was the copper or the compression, but either way, I was satisfied with the results. However, I do wish that there was a little bit more "squeeze" to the sleeves, as I like slightly more compression.
I tested the knee sleeves only in the post run time frame (while wearing my compression socks, of course).
Personally, I felt that it was harder to judge the effectiveness of these sleeves as I was not experiencing any knee pain at the time, however, considering how much I liked the calf sleeves, I am sure that if you suffer from knee ailments, these sleeves would provide relief. In addition, I felt that the elastic on the knee sleeve was far too tight for my liking, despite the fact that I ordered the proper size based on my leg measurement (perhaps, "the quad" was just too much to handle).
All in all, I was a fan of the Tommie Copper line and will continue to use their products.
To learn more about Tommie Copper, visit their website HERE, Facebook HERE or Twitter HERE.
Note: I was provided these items for free to review. However, the opinions stated here are all my own.
I mean, look at Dilly, she looks like a baby mobster. And don't even get me started on the Fedoras.
Aspaeris Pivot Shorts, Tommie Copper Knee Sleeves, RunLove Compression Socks
