
Originally Posted by
swingset
I don't doubt that's why people get them, but for the right situation and bowler they're a good and unobtrusive addition to your apparel.
I've worn compression sleeves and shirts for working out, MMA stuff, etc.
For starters, compression wear in general helps to keep your muscles warm and from excessive movement (which creates soreness). Helps to make your muscles feel consistent and prevents the fatigue that happens with dynamic movements (the kind a lot of bowling will create on an arm). For that, they work and work well...if I do a long workout without them, I typically get sore. When I wear 'em, it's greatly decreased. They're not a placebo, but they're not magic either.
Where they would help a bowler is with a long session of bowling, with a fast pace - or uses a lot of muscle (not desirable, obviously). Typically, a tournament or extended practice session would be where they'd benefit someone.
During a normal league setting - probably not nearly as much of a benefit with the slower pace. Might help with tendonitis type things or guys who really use a ton of forearm.
But, if you want a consistent feeling gross muscle movement of the bicep & forearm for your swing and want to get up to "temp" a bit quicker, a good arm warm up and a compression sleeve is probably a benefit.
All that said, here's my take having used them - they do work to keep my arm and elbow from any soreness on a marathon practice session - but do nothing for the shoulder, and that's a real area of concern - EVERYONE uses that muscle. So, in a big sense, they're not quite "all there". I've used a full long-sleeve compression shirt under my polo instead, just to alleviate this.
2nd, if you buy a bowling-specific compression sleeve, you're crazy. You can buy them all day long on ebay for $3-15 depending on style and material - but it's all just poly stretchy stuff. I bought some cycling compression gear instead of the stuff my MMA gym sells for 1/10th the cost, and if there's a difference in feel or quality, I can't see it.
But, if you want a big picture of Belmo or a Storm lightning bolt to awesome up your guns, rock on.
It's useful stuff, if you need it. If you don't, it's bling.
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