The Iron Bull Strength Pro Knee Sleeves are a piece of weightlifting equipment that many lifters use. Powerlifters, bodybuilders, and the everyday lifter can use these to provide extra support for heavy lifts. These knee sleeves provide compression around the knee joint to improve blood flow and limit stress on the knee joint.
I tested these knee sleeves' quality, effectiveness, and performance. I have also compared them to a few similar knee sleeves so you’ll have enough information to decide if the Iron Bull Pro Knee Sleeves are your best option.
So, are the Iron Bull Strength Pro knee sleeves worth it? Iron Bull Strength Pro Knee Sleeves are great for weightlifters and powerlifters looking for support and compression. They are made from high-quality neoprene and have a 3D contour design that provides support and flexibility. The double silicone anti-slip technology prevents them from slipping.
Out of all the knee sleeves I have tried, these have been my tried and true favorite.
If that information isn’t enough to decide if these knee sleeves are best for you, I will go over a complete review of this product below. In this article, you'll find the following:
- A detailed overview of the Iron Bull Strength Pro 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 Pro Knee Sleeves: At A Glance
Overall Rating: 9.0 out of 10
Specifications
- Material: SCR Neoprene
- Thickness: 7mm
- Compression: Level 3
- Length: 30cm
- Seams: Double Stitched
- Certification: USPA/IPL/IWF/USAW
- Sold in Pairs
Pros
- High-quality materials
- Level 3 compression
- Competition legal for USPA, IPL, IWF, & USAW powerlifting events
- Double-stitched welded seams
- Many available sizes
- Equally suitable for males and females
Cons
- Higher price point
- Only available in one length
- Some users reported ripping along the seams after use
The Iron Bull Strength Pro Knee Sleeves passed my test for a quality knee sleeve. They have a relatively simple design, suitable for beginner lifters to fitness enthusiasts. From my expert experience, I found these knee sleeves to be one of my favorites because of their performance.
Want more support for your lifts? Check out more Iron Bull Strength options:
How Iron Bull Strength Pro Knee Sleeves Work
The Iron Bull Strength Pro Knee Sleeves compress the knee joint to provide extra support during heavy lifts. The tight-fitting neoprene material will increase blood flow and reduce strain through the tissues around the knee. With more blood flow and added stability, performance in lifts is improved.
These knee sleeves are very simple to use. Slide the sleeve up your leg so your knee is covered. Some material should be above and below your knee to provide optimal knee support.
How do the Pro Knee Sleeves compare with Iron Bull Strength’s Premium Knee Sleeves? Read the full post.
What are Iron Bull Strength Pro Knee Sleeves Like?
Comfort & Material
I found the neoprene material comfortable enough to use in my lifts. I will always wear knee sleeves directly on my skin, and I did not notice any rubbing or rashes from these.
I personally enjoy a longer knee sleeve, and the Iron Bull Strength Pro Knee Sleeves only come in a length of 30cm. I did have to readjust their positioning so they weren’t in an awkward spot on the top of my calf.
One drawback that comes with neoprene is the smell. They have a very strong neoprene smell out of the box but will start to get that sweaty gym equipment smell after a few uses.
Once I pulled the sleeves up to my knee, I did have to readjust their positioning so they weren’t in an awkward spot on the top of my calf. But once they were in the correct position, they stuck like glue. I am a big sweater when I workout and I was thoroughly impressed with how little the sleeves moved and how comfortable the sleeves were to still wear by the end of my workout.
Jake Woodruff, Strength and Performance Coach at Pure Edge Performance Training in Pittsburgh
Stability & Compression
The Iron Bull Strength Pro Knee Sleeves offered more support and rigidity than most other knee sleeves I have tried. If stability and rigidity during heavy lifts are the ultimate goals for your knee sleeves, the Iron Bull Strength sleeves are heavy-duty.
When I tried other exercises where I needed a bit more flexibility like repeated box jumps, they felt a little too stiff. I recommend using these sleeves mostly for big power lifts.
For heavy squats and lunges, this very rigid sleeve felt awesome. But they felt a little too stiff for other lifts where I needed a bit more flexibility, like kettlebell swings.
The Level 3 compression provided high compression in every part of my lift. At the bottom of my squat, I could still feel these sleeves' compression for optimal knee support.
I have tried other sleeves that were too tight and cut off my circulation, but the Iron Bull Pro sleeves were just the right amount of compression for me.
Durability
I inspected one of my client’s Iron Bull Strength Pro Knee Sleeves, which was a few years old. Their pair had minimal wear and tear, and the material had no rips.
But a few reviews I read said there had been deterioration through the seams. The seams right in the middle of the sleeve take most of the wear because that is where they are bent in lifts like a squat. The build quality of the seams may face problems after long-term use.
Curious about what is competition legal for powerlifting events? Check out our article IPF & USAPL Approved Equipment & Gear For Competition.
Top Alternatives to Iron Bull Strength Pro Knee Sleeves
Here is a brief overview of 3 alternative knee sleeves if you are not sold on Iron Bull.
1. Jupiter Fitness Pro Knee Sleeves
The Jupiter Knee Sleeves are a cost-effective alternative to the Iron Bull sleeves. They have several design options, all ranging in sizes from S-XXL.
These are more flexible knee sleeves, so these would be nice to wear during a full workout and not only for squatting. The Jupiter sleeves compress the knee joint and act as a knee brace to reduce the risk of sudden twists and jerks.
2. Iron Bull Knee Wraps
A knee wrap is similar to a sleeve, but you wrap the material around your joint instead of pulling a sleeve up.
A pro to the knee wraps is you can customize how much compression you are getting and where the compression is. If you want more support on the outside of your knee, you can secure the wrap as tightly as needed around that area.
Read more about our list of the Best Knee Wraps for Squats.
3. GymReaper Knee Sleeves
Another high-quality knee sleeve, GymReapers come in a few colors with sizes ranging from S-XXL.
GymReaper sleeves are another product that is competition approved, which is a nice pro if you were looking for legal knee sleeves. I've tried these knee sleeves as well, and they're also comfortable. They hold up well over time too.
Read our related article about the Best Blood Flow Restriction Bands.
Final Verdict: Are Iron Bull Pro Knee Sleeves Worth It?
The Iron Bull Strength Knee Pro Knee Sleeves are among the best I have tried. They come with high-quality material and will provide high support through the knee during your lifts.
They are comfortable enough to wear, provided the amount of support on my knees that I wanted, and stayed in place during my lifts.
The knee sleeves are designed for everybody, from beginner lifters to powerlifters in competition. These sleeves work as intended and feel good while using them. If you are investing in a quality product, Iron Bull Pro Knee Sleeves are worth it.
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.
