1. Wrap It Right for Running
Running is a great way to stay in shape and work your upper and lower body at the same time. Running is a sport that just about anyone can do, but it's important to know your body's weak spots and take precautions to avoid injuries. Ankles, knees and hips all endure high impact during a good run so take safety measures to keep them healthy. Wrap a knee for running to avoid overextension and muscle strain.
2. Buy the Right Knee Wrap
You have lots of options to choose from when buying a knee wrap. Some knee wraps are cloth and come with metal clips to hold the wrap in place. Others don't have the metal clasps, but are instead made of self-adhering fabric that clings to itself and holds itself in place. Invest in a well-made wrap made by a reputable brand. Make sure the fabric is flexible, breathable material that feels good on your skin. Cheaper wraps might seem like a bargain, but they're usually more cheaply made. The elastic in them will wear out faster, which means you'll be shopping for a replacement sooner.
3. Follow the Pattern
Get the most support when you wrap a knee for running by using a good knee wrapping pattern that supports the whole knee. Begin about four inches below the knee and work your way up. Wrap in a consistent pattern up over the knee and continue up to about four inches above the knee. Work slowly and make sure your knee wrapping pattern is comfortable when you're done. Once you've wrapped the whole knee area, flex the knee a few times and try walking to make sure the wrap is comfortable.
4. Keep It Even
It's important that you wrap evenly all the way up over the knee when you wrap a knee for running. Many people think that there's more support if you wrap thickly directly over the knee, but evenly wrapping the knee and the surrounding area will support it more. Wrap the knee evenly so that each layer of wrap overlaps the previous layer by about a quarter of an inch. Pull the wrap snug and taut, smoothing out any bumps or wrinkles as you go. The wrap should be tight, but not so tight that it pinches your skin or reduces circulation.
