Support Braces

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Support braces and taping products add compression or stability around a joint during training, sport and recovery. Supps247 currently stocks an elbow compression sleeve, Elastoplast rigid strapping tape and Heavy Duty lifting straps, so you can pick the right level of support for your sport and your session. Here is how they differ and how to choose.

Read the Support Braces buying guide
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Support Braces: buying guide

Sleeve, tape or straps: what each does

  • Compression sleeves are stretchy, pull-on supports. They give even, snug pressure around a joint and are easy to take on and off between sets. Our elbow sleeve comes in sizes XS to XL.
  • Rigid strapping tape does not stretch, so it gives firmer, more targeted support than a sleeve. It takes practice to apply well, and a physiotherapist can show you a taping method for your joint and sport.
  • Lifting straps are not braces. They loop around your wrist and the bar to help your grip on heavy pulls such as deadlifts and rows, so your hands are less likely to fail before your back and legs.

Getting the fit right

  • Measure around the joint as the size chart describes, rather than guessing from your clothing size.
  • A sleeve should feel snug but comfortable. Take it off if you notice numbness, tingling, colour change or increased pain.
  • Put tape on clean, dry skin, and remove it if your skin becomes itchy or irritated.
  • Wash sleeves regularly and replace them once they lose their stretch.

When a brace isn't enough

After a fresh sprain or strain, Better Health Channel (Victoria's health department site) lists bracing and external supports as one way to protect the injured area, alongside rest, ice, compression and raising the injured area. It advises seeing your doctor if symptoms get worse in the first 24 hours, and seeing a doctor or physiotherapist if you don't have full function or the pain and swelling haven't eased after a couple of days. A brace supports recovery; it does not replace a proper assessment.

Products in this range

Related categories

Sources: Better Health Channel: Sprains and strains.

Order online with Australia-wide delivery, free on orders of $100 or more, or visit a Supps247 store in Melbourne, regional Victoria or Brisbane to compare products in person before you buy. Members can use our price match guarantee on full-priced items.

Support Braces: questions and answers

Should I wear a brace after a sprain?
A brace or other external support can help protect the injured area, according to Better Health Channel, but it works alongside first aid, not instead of it. In the first few days, rest the area, use ice, compress it and raise it, and avoid heat and firm massage. If you don't have full function after a couple of days, see a doctor or physiotherapist.
Do lifting straps count as a support brace?
No. Lifting straps support your grip, not a joint. They wrap around your wrist and the bar so you can hold heavy pulls such as deadlifts and rows for longer. If you want support for an elbow or wrist, look at sleeves, wraps or tape instead. Straps and a sleeve or tape can be used together if you need both.
How tight should a compression sleeve be?
Snug but comfortable. Measure the joint as the size chart describes, and choose the size that matches your measurement. If you notice numbness, tingling, colour change in your fingers or toes, or more pain, the sleeve is too tight or not suitable, so take it off. Compression should feel supportive, never painful.
When should I see a physio instead of buying a brace?
Better Health Channel advises seeing your doctor if an injury gets worse in the first 24 hours, and seeing a doctor or physiotherapist if you don't have full function or the pain and swelling haven't eased after a couple of days. A physio can also show you how to tape a joint properly and whether a brace suits your injury.

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