2XU Elite MCS Compression Tights Review and Discount!

Disclaimer: I received 2XU Elite MCS Compression tights to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

I recently had the opportunity to test out the 2XU Elite MCS Compressions Tights!

I will be the first to admit that I was a little skeptical about the real benefits of compression tights.  They look cool and the science sounded pretty convincing, but I was honestly not perpared for how amazing these pants were for my legs.
 

From a technical standpoint, these tights are fascinating.  Different fabrics and Muscle Containment Stamping (MCS) are used to target specific areas of the leg to pretect against muscle trauma during exercise and to increase the recovery benefits to those muscle groups.

From a non-technical standpoint, I was told they made me look like a superhero.  So you won't hear any complaints from me!

I wore my 2XU tights for a few short runs and lounging around the house to ward of minor pains and thought they were probably working, but it wasn't until after a particularly painful long run that I became a true believer in the pure magic of these pants.  I beat up my legs pretty badly on a tough longer run and was hobbling around pretty badly.  I decided to wing it and wear my tights under my khakis for work.




While it might not be a fashion choice that will be heading for big runways, I was able to run another three miles that night after work and my legs felt brand new.

It wasn't a fluke either.  I had to get ready for the Urban Bourbon Half pretty quickly since I had not been training as well as I should have, so a lot of my long runs were brutal and my legs hated me by the time I was done.  Wearing the 2XU Elite MCS Compression pants is probably the only way I was able to get ready for the race in time.

To take it one step further, they may be the reason I was able to make it though the hilly course in Kentucky without lasting pain.  Don't get me wrong. These tights will not suddenly make you invincible. You will not be able to go qualify for Boston tomorrow without training.  But they will do wonders when it comes to giving your body the resources it needs to recover properly.  I have never been good at giving myself time to recover.  I want immediate results and I think these are about as close as you can get.  When I end a run knowing I ought to be sore for days after, I am so glad I can put these pants on and be ready to roll again in significantly less time.

Another perk of these tights is that, in spite of the fact that they are long pants, they are not terribly thick and do not get unbearably hot when running. I wore them running on hot days and was no worse off than I would have been in shorts!
 
Overall, I am in love with my 2XU Elite MCS tights and can't stop telling all my friends about them!
If you want to try your own pair, use the code: BIBRAVE20 to save 20% off your purchase (this actually works site wide and not just on the pants!)
If you have questions about my experience with these pants please let me know...I will be happy to talk your ear off about them as well!

Zensah Ultra Compression Sleeves Review

Disclaimer: I received Zensah Compression Sleeves to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

Two bits of info to set the stage: 

• My calves are awful. They will cramp up for no reason at all. I wake up with Charlie Horses more often than I would like and the pain tends to last the entire day.

• This is my first ever experience with compression socks/sleeves/etc.

Having shared those two things, I imagine it is pretty obvious that I was super excited when I was told that we were going to be trying out Zensah Ultra Compression Sleeves!

To start with, ordering was a breeze. This chart is available on the website and I was able to quickly measure my calf and get it all sorted out.

With my luck I was, of course, on the dividing line between medium and large. I decided I would prefer a little extra squeeze and went with the mediums. When I got the sleeves in the mail I immediately knew I made the right choice. They are like a bear hug for my legs without being so tight I lose feeling below my knees. The most difficult part of ordering these sleeves was actually picking a color! I love anything neon and these are available in a great variety. I finally chose neon pink…because you can always use more pink!
Patience is not one of my stronger virtues – so as soon as I saw the Zensah box on my doorstep I ripped it open and put the sleeves on immediately. This is probably one of the moments I should be glad I live alone since they were over my black tights and paired with a lovely floral print pencil skirt. Not one of my better fashion moments, but my legs were immediately grateful.

A common mistake I made while training for the Space Coast Marathon last fall was believing that I was doing enough to recover just because I was taking a day off of running. What I often fail to account for is the amount of time I spend on my feet stressing the same muscles. Last year that resulted in a calf strain that derailed my training for a while, so now I am looking for recovery options that do not involve staying off my feet. Like many people I have a job that does not stop just because I ran a lot the past weekend and what is best for your body is often not a viable option. As much as I love my foam roller I have realized that I need to do more. This weekend was a fantastic opportunity to try out these sleeves on my overworked and exhausted calves.
Saturday I was on my feet for most of the twelve hours I spent volunteering for a conference at our barn (while wearing Toms because I do not plan ahead lol). Sunday was spent sitting in a car, standing behind a college fair table, and then sitting in the car again. All for a grand total of eleven hours. I won’t lie, my legs wanted to fall off on Saturday night already. By the time I got home Sunday I was done in. I pulled on the compression sleeves while I reheated some dinner and felt so much better immediately. It’s almost like the muscles breathe a sigh of relief because the sleeves are holding them in and doing some of the work for them.

Monday I went for a 2.25 mile run then went to a 75 minute warm flow class. I slept in the sleeves again that night and felt amazing the next morning. Tuesday night was a 5 mile trail run and the first time I tested out my sleeves while running. It felt so good. My legs didn’t get tired (despite having not run that far since November and tackling some crazy trails!). The only downside was that they got covered in mud so I couldn’t sleep in them!

For the sake of comparison, I ran my 10k on the 14^th without the sleeves and, despite the less intense hills and footing, I noticed my legs being more tight and sore than they had been for my run on Tuesday.
Overall: I am sold on compression sleeves and in love with Zensah! I am planning on ordering more of these sleeves in many many more colors! I would highly recommend trying the Zensah Ultra Compression Sleeves if you want a good tight squeeze to help with shin splints or calf pain!

Check out other BibRavePro reviews:
Angie @ Angie Runs
Danielle @ Live, Run, Grow

For more information about Zensah, check out their website and social media- Zensah.comTwitter @Zensah Instagram @Zensah Facebook – Zensah

ALSO: use BIBCHAT20 for 20% off your order until March 31st!