Leg Support For Runners

Running is a fantastic type of exercise that doesn’t just keep you fit but also boosts your endurance. Unfortunately, as great as that is, it can lead to various injuries to your legs, including your ankles, knees, calves, and thighs.

Common leg injuries from running

It makes no difference how long you’ve been running or how far you go when you get outside. The fact is that injuries can happen to anyone, and your knees, ankles, calves, and thighs are all potentially at risk.

Knee injuries are particularly common, and there are many injuries you could be susceptible to, from runner’s knee to patellar tendonitis, as well as iliotibial (IT) band syndrome. Calf strains and shin splints are also common issues, and ankle sprains can also happen if you’re running on uneven surfaces, for example, but even on flat roads, there’s the potential for sprains; ankles can roll unexpectedly.

All of these issues could be dealt with or even minimised with the right leg support for runners. To maximise your performance and minimise the risk of injuries, it’s a good idea to understand how leg supports for running can make a difference and how important it can be to help get you past common runners’ injuries. Read on to find out more.

I have always had knee pain but it got worse from running more (made it painful to walk the day after a run) using the knee support has made a huge difference! It has hugely reduced the pain - enabling me to keep running

Different Stress For Different Events

As runners prepare for various events, they subject their legs to different levels of stress, so knowing what might happen depending on the particular type of running or specific race you’re taking part in could be useful, and it willdefinitely help you prepare in advance and get the best knee support to keep your legs safe.

Marathon running, for example, usually means you’ll need constant leg support for running because you’re running for many hours at a time, so although you’re not going as fast as you would if you were sprinting, the pressure and wear on your joints won’t stop until you do – the more support you can have, the better. Half marathons and 10K races also need good leg support for a similar reason; you won’t be running for as long as a full marathon, but you’ll still be running for an extended period. When you’re getting ready to run these kinds of races, you’ll need to make sure you’ve got the right leg supports not just for the race but for afterwards, too.

Of course, that’s not to say that faster, shorter races don’t need adequate run knee support. If you think about a sprint, you’ll know there’s much more chance of damaging an ankle because you’re moving so much faster and potentially changing direction (especially if you’re running on a straight track, for example). So don’t just assume you’ll need support for longer runs, and make sure you wear the right protection, like the best knee support for running, no matter what distance or speed you intend to go.

Leg Supports For Different Parts Of The Lower Body

The fact that you can (and should) get different kinds of lower leg support for running for different parts of the lower body should give you a clue about the fact that this isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. In fact, there are lots of different variations you can choose from.

Ankle Support For Running

Protecting your ankles is vital if you want to prevent sprains, strains, and other injuries, so an ankle support for running is crucial, especially when you’re running on uneven terrains or running on trails.

Calf Support For Running

Calf muscles play a crucial role in running, and calf supports for running are essential for preventing strains and ensuring that muscles recover more quickly. When you invest in the best calf support for running, you’ll be able to know that you have lower leg running support whether you’re training, racing, or anything else.

Knee & Ankle Support For Walking

It’s not just running that puts stress on your knees; walking can also take a toll, but wearing ankle and knee supports for walking can give you the useful support and reinforcement you need for longer walks. A lot of people start their running hobby by tackling brisk walks and then building up, but without the proper support, building up to a run won’t be possible – you’ll be injured instead.

Running Knee Support

The knees bear the brunt of the impact during running, which means they’re highly likely to be injured in some way. Using knee sleeves for running or a knee support for running can give you what you need, stabilising the joint and reducing the risk of injuries like runner’s knee.

Thigh Support For Running

While thighs might not be as prone to injuries as knees or calves, proper support is crucial. Consider using a thigh support for running, especially during intense training sessions or events like marathons where you’ll need to put in a lot of sustained effort and keep yourself safe and protected at the same time.

When To Wear Leg Supports

When you need to wear leg supports, and even – at least to some extent – if you have to wear them at all, will depend on a few different factors that you’ll need to carefully consider. That could include the type of running you’re doing, your running experience, and any past injuries that could cause a problem.  

One good idea is to add leg supports into your routine as a preventative measure, especially during high-intensity training sessions or when you’re starting to increase your running distances and feel some extra support would help.

Plus, leg supports can be ideal during recovery. If you’ve recently recovered from a leg injury, wearing supports can give you extra stability and security and speed up the recovery process. This can be especially useful if you’ve suffered from shin splints or calf strains and you want to recover in the best way you can.

Something else that’s important is to wear leg supports if you’re preparing for long-distance events, like a marathon or half-marathon. Wearing a good support can really help you push further and finish the race no matter how far you have to go.

Being someone who has arthritis but likes to stay active, have always struggled to find supports that actually feel like they make a difference. Since getting two knee supports I feel so much more confident when exercising and playing sport (mainly padel tennis). I am so glad I tried these out and would highly recommend to anyone that needs additional support. Even without dodgy knees I feel like these can really help in injury prevention as well as helping those with joint issues.