Compression stormed the sportswear market and overwhelmed it. There is virtually no element of runner’s clothing that would not be available in a compression version. We can „press” ourselves from head to toe. It sounds a little unnatural. How does the compression work and what we gain by using it? Is it any good at all?

I stumbled on the compression thing during preparation for my very first marathon. I wasn’t looking for any special methods to improve performance or recovery – I simply had a voucher to use in a sports shop and it caught my attention. The calf sleeves fit exactly my voucher, so I decided to take the chance. Since then,  I’ve been frequently using this or that compression garment and I’m really happy I risked buying those sleeves .

I came across Royal Bay much later. EXTREME series stood out from everything that was available. at that time. No wonder it caught my attention and additional features, also unavailable in the competitive products, caused that I decided to try them. The fruit of this adventure You can see below.

SHORTLY ABOUT COMPRESSION

I won’t pretend to be have a specialist knowledge in medicine, biology or biochemistry so I’ll confine myself to a few general statements.

The purpose of compression is to improve the blood circulation in muscles. Thanks to a suitably designed construction of a given item of clothing, the use of appropriate pressure in the right places should result in better blood supply and nourishment of muscle tissue, better metabolism and better, further blood flow. The removal of lactic acid from muscles is also faster, allowing more effective regeneration.

Additionally, compression clothing, adhering closely to the muscles, supports them, reducing shocks and protecting against micro-injuries. It,  in consequence, provides better protection against possible muscle damage and strains. Compression is recommended especially before and after activity, for example during long journeys after the running competition, when it prevents swelling of the legs (socks and calf sleeves) and the feeling of „heavy legs”.

ABOUT ROYAL BAY

ROYAL BAY is a brand created as a range of sports products by „ARIES”. It  is a Czech company, with established seat in the Giant Mountains, operating in Europe for more than 20 years. Their main business profile is a manufacture of medical compression stockings and socks for the prevention and treatment of varicose veins and lymphatic diseases. As a company with a medical origin, it inspires confidence that the products they design and create truly fulfill their role, which you can’t always be sure with the whole mass of similar products storming the market on the wave of fashion for compression.

BASIC INFORMATION

• brand– ROYAL BAY
• product-  ROYAL BAY EXTREME compression calf sleeves
• compression level – VERY STRONG – maximum compression for maximum efficiency in most extreme conditions
• available sizes*: XS (26-29 cm), S ( 30-33 cm), M (34-37 cm), L (38-41 cm), XL (42-45 cm)
• available colours: white, yellow, red, blue, green, black
• list price – 140 PLN

*measured in the circumference of the calf

REVIEW

1. FIRST IMPRESSION

The sleeves drew my attention at expo before Cracovia Marathon in 2014. At that time, Royal Bay was „entering” polish market (I received such information from the company representative). I liked the vivid colors bands and the material – slightly slippery and pleasant in touch. Indeed, the sleeves were unavailable at that time anywhere, but for the Royal Bay online store, which didn’t stop me from getting them. Shortly after buying I received a shipment with awaited EXTREME calf sleeves..

2. ROYAL BAY COMPRESSION

In EXTREME calf sleeves, the applied compression is a different from what you can find in classic running calf sleeves. We are dealing here with progressive compression, i.e. the weakest pressure in the ankle and strengthening upwards. As a result, the sleeve accelerates the venous circulation and presses gastrocnemius muscles that work the hardest of the whole shank muscles group. Due to the specific, quick-drying material and progressive compression, the EXTREME calf sleeves are most recommended for triathlon, while they dry very soon after leaving the water and work best with gastrocnemius muscle, working intensively on a bicycle.

An additional advantage resulting from the lighter pressure in the ankle in EXTREMES is that they are really easy to put on and take off. The material is strong and close-fitting, does not slide during the activity and dries very quickly.

3. TEST IN BATTLE

I’ve tested the calf sleeves during regular trainings, both regular and long runs, but especially during the triathlon competitions. It is difficult to objectively evaluate the performance of compression sleeves, because one would have to carry out laboratory tests to prove anything. I can only rely on subjective view, and it is as follows:

TRAINING – sleeves support muscles well or never ever slid down. They were use both in winter and summer and in they always felt comfortable. In winter they protect against cold and wind, on the other hand they are breathable and even in the greatest heat I felt comfortable using them. Unfortunately, one can get used to them too much and with the continuous support our muscles would become lazy and grow weaker . The essence of the training is to strengthen the muscles and using compression garments that reduce the load on muscles can do more harm then good.

TRIATHLON – while swimming I clearly experienced the positive effect of the sleeves. During the first competition when I didn’t yet have them, about 200 m before the end of the swimming stage a cramp in the calf caught me and I struggled in the water for a moment. Fortunately, I managed to reach to waterside without the need to call paramedics, but it was very uncomfortable 200 m in water. In subsequent competitions I always used the Royal Bay EXTREME sleeves and this annoying incident hasn’t repeated ever again. Certainly, it was thanks to two things – the pressure on the muscles and the presence of material itself, which protected the muscles against cold water.

During the cycling and running stages I didn’t have the chance to observe such such spectacular effects. Certainly the sleeves dry out fast – after a moment from the exit of the water you feel no moisture. Also, after the race, legs feel light and regenerate much faster than before. I didn’t experience any soreness after any competition, so this feature, promised by the manufacturer, can be clearly acknowledged.

SUMMARY

Do the Royal Bal EXTREME calf sleeves improve the results during the activity itself? I’m far from supporting such statement, but this is only my subjective impression. In any case I haven’t noticed being able to run faster or achieve better results only because of the use of sleeves. Surely they affect endurance by muscle support and shock absorption and improve blood circulation, but I can not confirm that it could be converted straight into minutes or seconds cut from the end result in competition. They are useful in another way though. In the individual categories I view it this way:

TRAINING – In this aspect, I find the sleeves useful mostly during long runs when they reduced the effect of post-workout fatigue. Nevertheless, I believe that generally you shouldn’t use the sleeves regularly during training, unless you go back to training after an injury. In that case they can be used for protection against recurrence – on the other hand, it is better to strengthen the muscles with appropriately selected exercises apart from the regular running workout. Otherwise, as I said above, the use of compression only reduces the training stimulus and causes muscles to grow weaker. After all, we train to become stronger and faster, and to achieve this, our muscles must get tired and cope with the load themselves. When, on one hand, we struggle on hard training, and on the other, we use compression sleeves that facilitate muscles, we  do nothing else but sabotage our own work.

COMPETITION – Yes, compression is useful during competitions, espacially the long ones. It is a single, large effort (unless we treat the competition as a stronger workout), during which we aim at improving our best result and any help will be useful. Sleeves will support the muscles and we will be able to „push” a little harder without fear of injury. In addition, after the competition we’ll recover faster. It is a one-time effort, so there can be no harm done to the muscles.

RECOVERY– I think it’s here that lies the true power compression clothing. Not during the competition, but before them and after them. Before the competition the sleeves will improve blood circulation, oxygenation of muscles and prepare them for the effort. After the competition they will help remove the soreness and speed the recovery of tired muscles. Nowadays, when every minute is worth its weight in gold, and often it is a miracle to even find time during a day to workout, not to speak of proper recovery, Compression is an invaluable support in the aspect of regeneration, which is crucial for our improvement in sports and keeping the body in good health.

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