Welcome to the Get Fit Guys quick and dirty tips to slim down and shape up.

My name is Brock Armstrong and I'm the Get Fit Guy.

Tons of pro athletes are wearing compression gear and using compression machines to help improve their performance and speed up their recovery.

But do they really work? Well, listener Maureen

recently asked me about compression gear on Twitter, and this is what she said. I'd be interested

in learning more about leg compression recovery systems. I've got lots of compression socks and

pants. I'm just looking more at machines. Well, okay, Maureen, today I'm going to look at both.

Alright, now let's talk about what exactly compression clothing is.

Well, compression garments are often marketed as a type of magical second skin

that's going to improve your athleticism.

When reading the ads, you might believe that

by simply tossing on a pair of tight pants and socks, you're going to be able to run faster,

jump higher, and lift heavier. But it's not really like that. For one, compression gear does

not provide enough support to make your muscles perform any different than normal.

Despite what it feels like, that invincible feeling you get from sliding on those

hardcore looking socks is mostly in your head.

Your muscles may feel more supported, but that support is actually quite minimal.

But we'll get into that later.

What was, once an industry that was mainly supported by nurses and weight staff, these skin-tight

duds have gained popularity well beyond the medical field and your local all-night diner.

While some compression gear manufacturers promote their products as a quick and easy way to get the

appearance of a flat belly or an enhanced chest or slimmer legs, the fitness industry has

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