The knee wrap is one of the first pieces of supportive gear a powerlifter learns to use. By tightly wrapping the knees before the squat, the lifter can not only protect the knee joint but also gain valuable pounds on the squat. Although knee wraps are a simple piece of equipment, their use has been the focus of constant debates and rule changes, and their evolution in design has spanned decades.
History
The wrapping of knees is almost as old as the squat itself. When the squat was recognized as a competitive lift in the 1960s, lifters would wrap their knees with thin elastic compression bandages normally used for treating injuries. With little regulation of the sport at the time, lifters also used other items to increase support, such as golf balls or halves of tennis balls behind the knees.
Evolution
As the sport of powerlifting has progressed, so too has the equipment. Capitalizing on a growing market, powerlifting equipment companies began offering wraps specially designed for powerlifters. Knee wraps evolved from thin first aid-style bandages to thick, heavy elastic straps that offer much more support then their predecessors.
Performance
The most important benefit to most lifters is improved performance. Knee wraps give the lifter a boost because they tightly hold the knee joint straight. When the lifter descends in the beginning phase of the squat, the knees bend, stretching the wrap. As the wraps stretch, they build potential energy. When the lifter begins his ascent, the potential energy in the wraps is released and assists the quadriceps in straightening the knee. This added elastic energy can boost a lifter's squat by anywhere from 25 to 50 lb. Virtually all national and world record squats are attempted with a tight pair of knee wraps.
Safety
Safety is another important purpose of knee wraps. Heavy squats are potentially very dangerous to the knee joint. The immense weights that powerlifters use further increase the risk of the lift. Knee wraps help absorb some of the stress from the weight. By taking stress off of the knee, wraps allow more stress to be shifted to the bigger, stronger hip joint.
Psychological Benefits
In addition to the physiological benefits, wraps have an important psychological effect. The feeling of support and tightness that comes from wearing wraps makes the lifter feel stronger and better able to handle the demands of the lift. Most powerlifters would not feel confortable attempting a competition squat without their knees tightly wrapped.
Member Comments