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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ for short) is a martial art form that requires participants to move quickly and powerfully during their practice.
It’s a fast-paced, action-heavy sport.
As such, the risk of knee injuries is high, so wearing protective gear like knee braces and pads is advised.
In this blog post, you’ll discover an in-depth guide to the best BJJ knee brace to help you find one for your needs.
The Best BJJ Knee Brace
In this post, we’ll cover some of the different types of braces available, what features to look for, how to choose the right fit for you, and tips on injury prevention during martial arts practice.
Whether you’re just starting in BJJ or are a seasoned veteran looking for extra protection, this guide should help you pick the right brace for you.
What Is A BJJ Knee Brace?
A BJJ brace is a knee support (compression sleeves, as they’re sometimes called) designed to be worn while practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. They provide extra support for the knee joint to help reduce the likelihood of injury.
Knee braces provide compression, support, and stabilization to the knee joint, which is beneficial both in preventing injury and supporting the knee following an injury.
They come in various sizes, materials, colors, styles, and configurations, so choosing one that fits your needs is essential.
The ‘best’ BJJ knee braces will, on the whole, be lightweight and made from breathable material while providing good support to the knee joint and some pressure relief.
In an ideal world, a knee brace should offer maximum comfort and maximum support with freedom of movement, so you can focus on your training.
Why Use A BJJ Knee Brace?
The main reason for using a BJJ knee brace is to reduce the risk of injury during martial arts practice.
Due to the nature of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the knees get overused and overstretched quickly, potentially leading to ligament damage and soft tissue bruising.
Additional support, even if your knees are young and healthy, is always a good idea during BJJ training.
Investing in a BJJ knee brace is an important decision for any martial artist; they provide many benefits to the body, from improved blood flow to the knees to a more stable footing, pain relief, and increased protection against injury.
Types Of Knee Braces
You must first consider your unique needs when looking for the best BJJ knee braces and pads.
Different brands offer a variety of features that help protect the knees and enhance performance during practice or competition.
The following are all suggestions for knee braces and sleeves.
Incrediwear Knee Sleeve
Enhance your recovery and support with the Incredibrace Athletic Knee Sleeve! Crafted with 9mm thick high-strength neoprene, this sleeve delivers maximum rebound and durability. Its straight-cut design aids in leg straightening, ensuring optimal performance. A lightweight bamboo material offers all-day comfort, breathability, and superb odor absorption. Suitable for various knee conditions and injuries, this brace provides pain relief and protection. Easy to wear, it's perfect for daily activities and sports.
Bauerfeind Genutrain Knee Support
The GenuTrain S provides extra support for knee stability through medical-grade compression, reducing pain, swelling, and muscle fatigue. Designed with joint sidebars and an adjustable strap system, it stabilizes the knee without limiting mobility. Ideal for treating advanced arthritis, ligament sprains, knee instability, and meniscus tears. Backed by the Bauerfeind quality standard, all products are made in Germany with 80+ years of expertise, ensuring superior fit, comfort, support, and performance!
Neenca Knee Brace
Experience exclusive patented Spring Knee Support technology with our innovative knee brace! Featuring a contoured patella gel pad and double-sided metal spring stabilizers, this brace provides anatomical support, dispersing knee pressure while maintaining joint stability. Perfect for sports protection and pain relief, it keeps your knee warm, lubricates joints, and prevents potential injuries without compromising performance.
Bauerfeind Sports Knee Brace
This knee support stabilizes your knee during sports activities, providing gentle compression to alleviate the effects of overuse and protect against strain. The anatomically contoured pad disperses pressure, triggering positive sensory motor feedback to activate stabilizing muscles and improve joint stability. Enjoy comfort and freedom of movement with the lightweight, moisture-wicking, and washable Air Knit fabric. Ideal for various sports, this knee brace has a 100% satisfaction guarantee and a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects.
Unloader Knee Brace
Introducing our Universal Knee Brace – designed to fit most individuals with adjustable straps accommodating up to a 30-inch thigh circumference. Crafted from medical-grade molded plastic and foam padding, this brace prioritizes comfort and skin sensitivity prevention. Our varus-valgus corrector allows you to tailor pressure reduction for the inner or outer knee, providing lightweight yet sturdy stabilization. The quick-release buckles ensure easy application, while the non-slip interior guarantees a secure fit for all-day wear.
Ultimately, your physical needs determine what knee brace is suitable for you.
If you’re unsure at all, do seek advice from the knee brace manufacturers themselves or your medical doctor and/or physical therapist.
Choosing The Right Fit
The fit of a knee brace isn’t all about sizing!
This may surprise you, but the material a knee brace is made from makes a huge difference to the feeling and snugness you get when wearing it.
But let’s talk about sizing.
To start with, some manufacturers follow the small, medium, and large format for sizing. At the very least, a BJJ knee sleeve ought to have a ‘size guide’ on its site to help you make the right choice.
Saying that some manufacturers also use measurements of the knee diameter to ensure you get a good fit.
Therefore, I recommend getting accustomed to the manufacturer’s measuring system before you purchase for best-fit results.
Materials that knee braces come in range too, from neoprene blends to spandex to bamboo and even some made with metal supports, all of which affect the fit and ‘feel’ of the brace when you wear it.
Now, comfort and protection are vital in finding the perfect fit for your best BJJ knee brace.
It’s worth researching different available brands, materials, sizes, and features.
Still, a must-have is a breathable fabric, which helps to keep joints cool and dry during martial arts moves.
Also, adjustable straps provide a secure and comfortable fit. They can be adjusted during exercise, depending on whether knee swelling occurs, which may temporarily alter the shape and size of your knee joint.
Additionally, look out for an open patella design or heel hooks, which offer different forms of stability elsewhere on the leg.
Further Considerations
Let’s not ignore the elephant in the room, which is the cost or price when selecting a BJJ knee brace or pad, especially if you intend to buy several items over time.
Fortunately, many brands offer affordable options without compromising on the quality of materials or features.
Look out for discounts or special offers, too. Often, sellers of knee braces share time-limited discounts or buy-one-get-one-half-price offers.
In addition to finding a suitable brace with the right features, practicing the proper technique when training in BJJ is, let’s face it, even more important.
After all, a knee brace can’t protect you from every injury, as much as we’d like it to!
The reality is that good technique is key to preventing knee injuries from happening in the first place.
Here are some tips to ensure best practice:
- Practice under the guidance of a professional instructor
- Take regular rest breaks
- Never push through any pain you feel in your body
- Work with a partner who understands your limits
- Continuously strengthen your knee joint via targeted exercises
- Educate yourself on the best ways to strengthen and prevent injuries to your knee.
Finally, speaking with your doctor if you experience any pain or discomfort in your knees while engaging in physical activities like BJJ is paramount.
Your doctor may recommend specific exercises or treatment plans to alleviate pain and improve your range of motion.
Summary
Finding the best BJJ knee brace requires some research, but that research goes a long way toward protecting your joints while improving your skills on the mat. That’s undoubtedly a win-win!
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