Athletic Tape

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Training

Whether you’re running, jogging or training – there’s never any time out for injuries.  Pulled muscles and tendons, along with sprained ankles or tissue injuries, are some of the most common complaints that athletes have while working out.  Fortunately, many of the most common injuries, aches and pains can be avoided by using high quality athletic tape.

What Is Athletic Tape And How Can It Help You?

Most athletic tapes available on the market today are made of cotton, which means it’s highly absorbent while remaining impervious to water or sweat. Athletic tape works by protecting your muscles and preventing unnecessary strain by keeping muscles and tendons firm.  It also prevents chafing and helps hold equipment, like pads, skates and other gear, in place.  Athletic tape can also be used to help minimize additional damage to existing injuries, particularly on the hands, feet and wrists, where many athletes are most vulnerable.

Applying Athletic Tape Properly

To get the most out of athletic tape, it’s important to be able to apply it correctly.  When athletic taping, you don’t use one long continuous role the way you would use a bandage for a sprain, or duct tape over a leak.  Instead, the athletic tape is carefully positioned and adjusted.  It must also be smooth to prevent blisters.  Many athletes consider athletic taping or “taping up” part of the ritual before the actual sport begins – and wouldn’t consider it any other way.

Choosing The Right Athletic Tape

Fortunately, in today’s demanding athletic field, there are athletic tape products for a wide variety of uses.  Gymnasts prefer flesh-toned athletic tape for its presentation and aesthetic value, while football players and other hardcore sports prefer colored tape which is generally used for ankle support – a type of application known as “spatting”. There’s also tape that only sticks to itself rather than directly to the skin.

What To Look For When Buying Athletic Tape

The right kind of athletic tape can make or break (literally!) you as an athlete.  That’s why it’s crucial to choose athletic tape that provides good air circulation while remaining water and sweat resistant.  There are athletic tape products available which eliminate the need for pre-wrap, however, always remember that athletic tape does its best when it is allowed to “breathe”, as circulation problems can put you more at risk of injury when it is applied too tightly.

In the end, athletic taping is a serious practice whether it’s viewed as simply “ritual” or has true medical benefits.  Buying athletic tape that’s flexible, absorbent and supportive of overworked or injury-prone muscles is an important step that no athlete – professional or recreational – would simply dismiss or forget to do.

Taking the right steps toward correct athletic taping and choosing the right athletic tape for your needs are two small steps you can do to help create a winning outcome – no matter what your sport or skill level.  With athletic tape, as with your equipment, your personal preference will make for a more comfortable training session, and as a result – a more successful game.