As someone who loves leg day, I knew I needed extra support through my knees on my heaviest of lifts. I was immediately drawn to the Iron Bull Strength Premium Knee Sleeves because I have successfully used some other products.
I purchased the Iron Bull Strength Premium Knee Sleeves to find out if they would give me the support I wanted, stay on my knee without sliding down, and be durable enough to last for years.
So, are the Iron Bull Strength Premium Knee Sleeves worth it? The Iron Bull Strength Premium Knee Sleeves are great for powerlifters and weightlifters looking for support and compression during their workouts. The thick neoprene provides a snug fit and good compression. Also, the double silicone anti-slip grip prevents them from moving around during your workout.
If that information alone isn’t enough to tell you these are the best knee sleeves on the market, I will go over a complete review of this product below.
In this article, I’ll provide the following:
- A detailed overview of the Iron Bull Strength Premium Knee Sleeves
- The pros and cons of these knee sleeves
- The key features of these knee sleeves
- Alternative knee sleeve options
Table of Contents
Iron Bull Strength Premium Knee Sleeves: At A Glance
Overall Rating: 9.0 out of 10
| Product Details | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Around $60 | |
| Sizes | S - XXL | |
| Thickness | 7-millimeter | |
| Material | SCR Neoprene | |
| Sold As Pairs? | Yes | |
| Who It’s Best For | Powerlifters, Olympic Weightlifters, Everyday Lifter | |
| Who It’s Not Great For | CrossFit Athletes, Beginner Lifters | |
Every knee sleeve will have its benefits and drawbacks. Below are some positives and negatives I noticed while using the Iron Bull Premium Knee Sleeves.
Pros
- They are USPA, IPF, USAPL, & IPL-approved gear. That means if you are a competitive powerlifter, they meet the standard to be legal during a meet. For a full breakdown of what equipment you can use during a meet, check out our article, IPF & USAPL Approved Equipment & Gear For Competition.
- The sleeves offer high support. These sleeves are on the stiffer side, so you can definitely feel the support they provide.
- The ant-slip technology actually works. Double silicon gel strips on the sleeves stick to your upper thigh. Even on a super sweaty workout, the sleeves stayed up, and I did not have to readjust them.
Cons
- They are on the pricier side. Others are cheaper if you were looking for a knee sleeve based on budget. Remember, though, you should look for a quality knee sleeve.
- You should hand wash and air dry only. The packaging says NOT to wash with hot water or dry with hot air. Tossing them in the washer and dryer would be much easier, but the hot temperatures may loosen them up.
Want more support for your lifts? Check out more Iron Bull Strength options:
How Iron Bull Strength Premium Knee Sleeves Work
I will always wear knee sleeves on my skin so they can grab a good hold of me, especially with Iron Bull's anti-slip features. Even if I wear long pants, I will put them on under them, directly on my skin.
The wider hole is the top, and the narrower hole is the bottom of the sleeve. Ensure they are facing the right way so the logo faces forward.
Grab the sides of the sleeve and pull it up to your knee so the middle of the sleeve is across your kneecap, and the top hole is where your thigh starts to get thicker. That is fine if you have to move the sleeve up or down a little bit.
Just ensure your entire knee is covered and the sleeves cover a little above and below the knee.
What are Iron Bull Strength Premium Knee Sleeves Like?
Sizing
The sizing is pretty true for the Iron Bull Strength knee sleeves. I wear medium knee sleeves, and their medium fit as expected. I like my knee sleeves pretty snug and tight, and the medium did the trick.
Fresh out the box, they were tough to slide onto my knees because they are so tight. After a couple wears and they loosened up a bit and slid on with ease.
If you prefer a tighter sleeve, I recommend ordering a size down. If you prefer a looser sleeve, I recommend ordering a size up.
Stability
These knee sleeves felt great for squats and lunges. As I sat down into the squat, I could feel the compression the sleeve offers to provide more stability. They are pretty stiff, so they helped with heavy lifts like squats and Olympic lifts.
However, they were a bit too stiff for CrossFit-styled movements, where you should have a more flexible knee sleeve.
The front of the sleeve is much more rigid than the backside, which has more flexibility. I could comfortably reach a full-depth squat while feeling secure in these sleeves.
Comfort & Fit
I found these sleeves to be very comfortable. The 3-D contour design of these sleeves felt like they actually mold to your leg.
They are anatomically shaped, and there is no loose material around the kneecap.
These sleeves, as a whole, are on the smaller/shorter end. The fit may be a little uncomfortable if you have a long and lanky build. Other knee sleeves are longer than the Iron Bull Strength sleeves to cover more above and below the knee.
The sleeves I tested covered my entire knee joint, but the bottom of the sleeve was sitting at the top of my calf, which was a bit uncomfortable at first. Once I adjusted the sleeve to be in a spot I liked, it was glued onto that spot for my lifts.
Durability
I have used these sleeves for a month in regular workouts several times weekly. Since I have used them, they still function like the first use out of the box. The seams are still intact and have no deterioration.
From reviews I have read, the most common theme I saw is that people mentioned the seams starting to fray after months of wearing these sleeves. For long-term use, the build quality of the seems may face an issue, but the neoprene material will last a lifetime.
I wash mine by hand and let them air dry. I have not noticed any wear and tear on them other than the logo starting to fade slightly.
Top Alternatives to Iron Bull Strength Premium Knee Sleeves
Here is a brief overview of alternative knee sleeves if you are not sold on Iron Bull Strength.
1. Rogue Fitness 5 mm Knee Sleeve
The Rogue 5 mm Knee Sleeve is a great all-around knee sleeve. Rogue sleeves come in 3, 5, and 7 mm of thickness, so everybody can find a stiffness that fits their training style. This is a great starter sleeve for a beginner lifter.
2. Gymreapers 7 mm Knee Sleeve
Gymreaper knee sleeves are very similar to the Iron Bull Strength sleeves. Gymreaper also offers a contour shape, so the sleeve will fit snugly around your knee. They come at a similar price tag but have fewer color options than Iron Bull Strength.
Curious about the best knee straps to use? Check out our detailed list of The Best Knee Wraps for Squats to Help You Lift More Weight.
Final Verdict: Are Iron Bull Premium Knee Sleeves Worth It?
Iron Bull Knee Sleeves have been my answer as someone very particular about their equipment. It may seem like a big investment with the price tag Iron Bull Strength comes with, but these knee sleeves are worthwhile, and you will be happy with how they perform.
The support I had from these sleeves was unmatched by any other knee sleeves I had tried before.
The knee sleeves are approved for powerlifting competitions, so they are a great option for anyone who competes. Not only is the support you get from these sleeves unmatched, but they fit and feel good too. Iron Bull Strength Premium Knee Sleeves are a great option if you are a powerlifter or somebody who wants a little extra support for heavy leg days.
About the Author
Jake Woodruff has an MS in Sports Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh. He is currently a strength and conditioning sports performance coach at a private Pittsburgh facility. He is a former college athlete and currently plays semi-pro soccer. You can connect with him on Instagram.
