Category: Product Reviews

If you’ve been reading the past few posts here at Top Running Tips you’ll know that while training for the Asics Fleet Pre-London Half Marathon I ended up with serious shin splints a week before I was due to race. I did no running during the last week and a half in the hope that the pain might miraculously disappear.

It didn’t, so I got hold of a pair of Zensah Compression Leg Sleeves which arrived on the Friday. I wore them all of Friday and Saturday and did the unthinkable by running in them for the first time during Sunday’s half marathon.

Here’s how it went and what I think of this product…

What Is Compression?

The aim of compression is to improve the delivery of oxygen to the muscles, to speed up the removal of lactic acid and also to stabilize the lower leg for more efficient use of the muscles. This is done through the compression of the surface veins, arteries and muscles where the blood is then forced through narrower channels this offers protection and assists recovery.

The Kit

In short the Zensah Compression Leg Sleeves have four main purposes;Increase circulation and oxygen blood flow to muscles for endurance and heightened performance.Use pin-point compression through ‘chevron pattern technology’ to prevent/ease shin splints.Offers extra support for lower legs, stabilizing calves, shins and the Achilles.Speed up recovery time and also reduces inflammation and swelling.

My Review

When I first pulled on the sleeves I was a little sceptical about whether they would stay up or slip down once I started running. I was also confused as to why they made a sleeve and not a sock, how was a sleeve better than a sock? I was also worried about how comfortable they would be to run in seeing as though my first try would be on a 21.1km run, not the kind of place you want to deal with chaffing or a rash.

After running 21.1km with shin splints in both legs wearing the Zensah Compression Leg Sleeves, having NEVER run in them before, I’m highly impressed and I’m pretty sure they reduced the disadvantage I had from my shin splints.

The sleeves were comfortable with no chaffing or rash. The sleeves have no seams at all and the fabric is really soft and light with excellent wicking capabilities, I never once felt too hot or restricted at any time.

The size was just perfect and the sleeves never moved an inch the entire race, which means I got the sizing right! Choosing the correct size is uber important but really simple; using your height and calf size for a pretty much custom fit.

How To Size Your Compression Leg Sleeves

XS/S: Calf Size: 9.5″ – 12.5″ Height: 5’3″ and belowS/M: Calf Size: 12.5″ – 15″ Height: 5’4″ – 5’10″L/XL: Calf Size: 15″ and up Height: 5’11″ and up

I now totally understand why they decided on sleeves as opposed to full socks. The sleeve allows for the lower leg to be pin-pointed, having a full sock would detract from the calf and shin support. After all, I’m using the sleeves to support my lower legs not my feet.

The sleeves have incredible construction; with ‘rings’ at the top and bottom to ensure a firm grip without restricting blood flow. The ‘chevron’ type pattern is used to achieve pin-point compression which can be felt the moment you pull the sleeves on.

I’ve been washing them daily and so far they have kept their shape and compression capabilities and by the looks of things will do for a long time to come. They come in various different colours so if you’re a fashion conscious runner you can add some pizzazz to your running kit.

The sleeves gave me the support I needed where I needed it so that I could finish the race.

I doubt whether I would have run across the finish line without them, it’s quite possible that I’d have had to walk instead.

I have been wearing my compression sleeves every day since the race as part of my R.I.C.E regime for my shins which are still tender.

I would recommend these to any runner’s who need extra support to prevent or ease shin splints or calf strains.

What’s The Difference?

The Compression Leg Sleeves and the Shin/Calf Compression Sleeve are exactly the same products the only difference is that the Compression Leg Sleeves are sold in a pair – i.e. two sleeves in total. Where the Shin Splint/Calf Compression Sleeve is sold as a single unit – i.e. only one sleeve. They are the same product offering the same features and benefits. The only difference is in the quantity.

To read more about the sleeves check out the Zensah website.If you want to pick up a pair for yourself go to Zensah if you live in the USA or Canada.If you are in the UK check out Global Bike – they are the cheapest and offer free delivery in the UK.

I rung them up and they were really helpful with figuring out my size (converting from meters into feet and inches does my head in!) and they were really great about getting a pair to me in double time once I completed my order online. Really great customer service, thanks to Dave!

PS: I have contacted Zensah requesting a pair of Compression Leg Sleeves to offer as a giveaway here at Top Running Tips, fingers crossed that they are kind enough to oblige and one lucky reader will win a pair of these cool compression sleeves!

Pictures of Zensah Compression Leg Sleeves from Zensah.com

When I was a young girl I watched how my father attempted to teach my mother how to drive a car – it was a disaster to say the least! After the second ‘lesson’ he gave up and got a professional in to do the teaching.

Thankfully there was no family murder and my mother ended up being a pretty good driver!  I learned a very valuable lesson back then; never try to teach a spouse a new skill – leave it to the professionals.

Speaking of which; when my husband decided that he was ready to start running and lose the 15kg he had picked up because he had quit smoking I immediately decided to bring in a professional to get him started.

I’m not an expert or a professional at running but I’ve been running for quite some time and I know my way around. So I started doing some research into running programs for beginners.

There are literally hundreds of programs with every ragtag and bobtail toting programs that promise ‘running utopia’. But I know from experience and learning the hard way that getting started with running and sticking to it are the most difficult in the beginning.

How To Start Running by Jago Holmes is by far the most comprehensive and easy to follow running program for beginners that I found.

The program takes you as a beginner to running with little or no fitness through to a runner with a good level of fitness able to run 5km, with additional running programs to improve speed and even break your record.

About The Author

Jago Holmes is a personal trainer in the UK with over 10 years of experience under his belt. He works with people on a daily basis who want to start running whether it’s for fitness, weight loss or training for a race.

He has created a wide range of running Books and also presents many weight loss seminars along with his 8 week weight loss challenge.

6 Reasons Why You’ll Quit Running Within The First Two Weeks

#1 You don’t have clear goals
Goal setting plays an important role in the success of your running program. With this program you are guided from the idea stage through to the final stage of the goal setting process.

#2 You don’t understand what’s happening under the hood
The program looks at every aspect of running, shedding light on how your body adapts to running as you train – for those of you who get all cross-eyed (like me!), the explanations are simplified and dead easy to understand.

#3 You have a busy lifestyle with no time for running
One major reason why most new runners struggle to keep it up and eventually throw in the towel is because of time. How To Start Running shows you how to create a running schedule that fits in with your busy life.

#4 You lack motivation and you’re not seeing results
Beginners to running soon give up because they fail to see results; I mean why would you want to do something that’s not producing any results? With the program you will learn training techniques that will fast track your results and keep you motivated.

#5 You pick up an injury
New runners face many pitfalls especially when it comes to injuries, How To Start Running will teach you what not to do and avoid injury disasters.

#6 You burn out or get bored
Not eating the right foods to boost your energy levels, eating too much or too little and pushing your body too hard will cause burn out and boredom. How To Start Running takes the guesswork out of nutrition. You will know exactly what foods your body needs and how to boost your energy levels.

Using The How To Start Running Guide

My husband is a busy guy so I knew the program had to be simple to use with time saving strategies that show results. The How To Start Running Guide IS simple to use, it took him a Sunday afternoon to work through the guides.

The Theory Guide steers you through everything from; goal setting process, understanding the ins and outs of buying running shoes and how to know which ones are right for you to; the latest running technology and fun gadgets, diet, hydration and training.

The Practice Guide deals with everything from your very first steps as a runner through to running 5km. How to build your fitness, how to stretch, how to monitor your intensity and how to prevent injury, with 4 different workouts that build on each other you’ll breeze through to your first 5k.

If you have been toying with the idea to start running, have started running recently but you are struggling to make headway and you’re ready to give up or, if you’ve already given up and you’re looking for a way to start running again, you can with the How To Start Running program.

The reasons why people decide to start running are as many and as varied as the people themselves.

Whether it’s because you want to reverse your type 2 diabetes, reach your ideal weight and fit into that beautiful wedding dress, feel confident in yourself and your body again or because you want to prove something to yourself; every journey begins with just one small step.

You could download a free beginners running program from any number of sites, stick it on the refrigerator and hope for the best.

My experience with these free programs is that they are generic, not taking into account your current fitness levels, goals or knowledge regarding running – a recipe for failure.

Do yourself a favour, get the How To Start Running program and make it happen – you’ve got absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain.

The links in this article are affiliate links when you click on the link and purchase the product I am paid a small portion of the price. 30% of the revenue from this affiliate link goes towards fundraising for Leukaemia And Lymphoma Research Thank you!