Please note: This giveaway has ended. The winners have been notified. Didn’t win? Head to CEP Compression for specials and coupons. Also, great news! I will have another CEP Compression giveaway in August!
I had several years of recurring injuries and would have tried tried anything I thought could help. I was offered a few pairs of CEP Compression Socks and because I totally dig Paula Radcliffe (and as I said would try ANYTHING to help my running), I was game to try them. I found that they helped keep my mind off my hamstring issues and kept my calves from cramping. I was SOLD.
Then, mid 2011, I experienced some cardiovascular issues and pains in my right leg and it turned out that I had a DVT. This is a LONG story for another day, but one of the long term consequences of having a clot behind my knee is that I had to give up my compression socks because my physician did not want me to have compression at the top of my right calf. But, I did get some awesome medical grade compression leg sleeves to help with the swelling and to use when traveling, standing for long periods or for run recovery from CEP’s parent company Medi USA.
The good news is that the husband’s cousin works for Medi and introduced me to the awesome folks at CEP Marketing. I did a review and giveaway with them at the beginning of the year. Now, CEP has some cool new products that I can use, so they sent me Recovery Pro Tights ($150) for travel and recovery and Short Socks ($25) to try out. I also got some Run 2.0 Compression Socks ($60) and Recovery Compression Socks ($60) that Wendy and Ryan tried out for me. I will tell you a bit more about CEP, my experience with the Recovery Tights and Short Socks and Wendy and Ryan’s, too. Then there is the giveaway, and it’s a good one, so STAY with me!
Why Compression and Why CEP?
I am a CEP fan over other sport compression companies, because they are the only sport compression company that has roots in the medical products industry. Their products are based on proven and tested technology that has been around since the 1950s with solid results for people with vascular issues. They have applied this experience to sports science. The quality of the products is also top notch. I have been wearing CEP compression since 2010 and none of my CEP or MEDI products have worn out. They also come with a money back guarantee! Here is what they say:
“Every muscle cell in the body needs energy in the form of oxygen. This is transported to the muscles via the blood. The better the blood flow in the body, the better the muscles are supplied with oxygen and nutrients. This function can be positively influenced with target graduate compression.”
“CEP compression sportswear contains a one-of-a-kind level of compression expertise: six decades of research and development on the effects of compression are integrated into every CEP product. This advanced stitching technology “made by medi”, the specialists in medical compression, allows the compression thread to be precisely incorporated into the circular knitted material.
The result: A physiologically perfect compression profile for greater performance, longer endurance and faster recovery.
Regardless if you’re wearing CEP before, during or after exercise, our products are your perfect partner for maximizing performance and recovery.”
As I mentioned, I use Medi Leg Sleeves for air travel and learned that CEP now makes full leg Recovery Pro Tights that I could try for travel and for recovery post long runs/races. The benefits listed on the CEP site:
- Reduced lactic acid
- Decreased muscle soreness
- Recharge muscles
- Travel safely
- With a higher rate of compression, muscles are optimally supported to flush out lactic acid and promote recovery.
The sizes are based on gender and measurements. I am between sizes so Alayna sent me 2 pairs. The smaller size fit almost perfectly. The only challenge is that they are long so the top portion comes up really high on me (Think SPANX ladies) and is pretty tight. Great for sucking it all in, but a bit uncomfortable. Good news for petite (read: short) ladies like me, I folded the top down and these worked perfectly for me.
I wore these to the Cleveland Half Marathon to fly in and then after the run and to fly home. They were very comfortable (once I folded down the tops) and I was barely sore the day after the race. I also wore these to fly several more times on longer flights and at home after other half marathons and I felt really good. I know that this is not scientific proof, but from my perspective, these were really good for post run and travel. Because of my DVT history, I have to be careful with flying so I was very happy to try these out! The only challenges – they are hard to get on (I would love to see the husband – or any man – put these on the first time) and they are fairly expensive. They are really good quality and I imagine they will last a long time. I gave pair #2 to Jen so she will weigh in on them later in the summer.
I tried my Short Socks for 2 5ks and a 5 mile trail run. The benefits listed on the CEP site:
- Perfect fit prevents blisters
- Ankle and foot stabilization
- Unmatched wearing comfort in shoes
- Promotes circulation in the foot and prevents congestion
- Increased blood circulation
I can’t wear the longer compression socks because of where they fall below the knee (my DVT was behind my right knee). The Short Socks are very comfortable and definitely have good ankle stability. I loved them for the trail run and will use them on all of my trail runs from now on. The added stability helped when on uneven terrain and in mud. I like the tight fit and did not get any blisters or chafing as promised. (They also kept any poison ivy away!)
The only thing that I did not love was how these looked on me (although Lynn assured me that they look fine!) I felt a bit like I had stolen someone’s dad’s business socks. That said, after wearing them a few times, I got used to how they look and I will definitely keep using them – especially on the trails. I am going to try them in longer races, too. Maybe I will try them in the Waterfall Glen Xtreme 10 or Athleta Esprit de She 10K race this month.
My friends, Wendy and Ryan tried the Run 2.0 Compression Socks and Recovery Compression Socks, respectively.
Wendy says, “I’ve worn the CEP calf sleeves before (just for “the Goofy Challenge” – I bought them at the expo which I know is a bit crazy!) but not the socks – I was worried about blisters but wore these for a short run and the women’s half and had no issues. They were a bit warm for the half [EF: it was VERY hot for the half – I have worn these in full marathons with no issue but the Chicago Women’s Half was a tough one this year!], but not too bad. The last time I saw my podiatrist his parting words were “wear compression socks.” I actually wore them to Monkey Bar Gym one morning after an evening track workout. The bright orange caught some attention but I think they helped!”
Ryan (who just had his 7th PR in a row!) says, “[The Recovery Socks] really helped during the recovery from my last long run. I am planning to use them again after the next one. One thing that I really liked is the compression around the Achilles. As you know, mine are shot.” Ryan added, “I didn’t end up wearing them when I ran as it looked like it was going to be a little steamier than expected. I did use them again as a recovery option. The circuit that we did on Thursday left me with sore calves on Friday and Saturday. I was a little hesitant to commit to the 14-15 mile planned run, but wearing the socks for recovery on Friday evening and after Saturday’s run really helped. I expect a great deal of compression in the calves from this type of product, but I am more grateful for the compression in the ankle and Achilles area. I will say that if I leave them on for a prolonged period of time, my toes tend to point away from my shins (probably not great if you have plantar fasciitis issues).”
So in a nutshell – all solid reviews! No surprise for me. Great news for you, though, is you don’t have to take my word for it. The folks at CEP Compression have offered to send one of each of these products to one winner each.
You can enter the giveaways using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Please don’t forget to click the green button on each entry you choose. If you already like my page on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter, click that button on the Rafflecopter and get credit! The giveaway is open through the end of the day on Wednesday, July 17th. I will select and notify 4 winners on Thursday, July 18th. One prize per winner. Only valid for participants in the US at this time.
Please Note: All products for review and giveaways were provided by CEP Compression, but all opinions and comments are my own (or those of my friends who tested the products).
Do you use compression gear? What works for you? What do you most want to try? Leave some comments and let me know!
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