No one strictly imposes a type of “Padel sock” or “Tennis sock”, highly popular non-competitive disciplines. Some products welcomed by the Federations are welcomed for admirable commercial strategies that involve well-known testimonials and who form their business strategy. Nothing to say. And in any case, federal rules exist for rackets and footwear to be used on the court, not for the characteristics of the outfit worn by the tennis or padel player. Sports sock on everything.
Outfit dossier 1: tennis, padel, fitness, which sock to choose?
Unlike football, which is customarily imposing stringent parameters with socks up to the middle of the quadriceps, the rules for other sports are gradually becoming more and more customary: however, we will no longer see footballers with their socks pulled down like the legendary Gianluca Vialli, while in tennis or in padel, to return to the two examples, everyone will do as usual, bladders permitting.
TENNIS AND PADEL: ideal characteristics of the sports sock
1. Adherence
With regards to stability and the grip-sock, this is the result of a precise technical choice by the manufacturer, who, while defending himself from the commercial strategies of other players, can decide to ignore a standardized grip. This is for two reasons: a) the “support” variables that come into play are completely personal and sometimes the inclusion of a super-grip is not welcomed by the user; b) as an example borrowed from fitness, there are those who feel comfortable doing exercises with a soft mat and those who prefer the parquet under their body.
In the same way it happens, and this for both competitive and non-competitive athletes, that the “higher” the sock thickness is, the more this additional rise or grip will distance the foot from the most solid support point, which is the playing field, tennis or padel it is. Therefore, thinner and lighter but technologically perfect socks are better. Unfortunately, we usually opt for poor quality socks, which not only diminish the value of a shoe that cost us three hundred euros but also create problems in the “Museums” walk. After a few kilometers the omelette is done. Try it to believe it.
2. Foot balance
The result of a wrong sock is also the player’s loss of balance and safety, when the effect should be just the opposite. Being rooted to the ground can, in fact, be an advantage but it can become a law that is not always applicable on the playing field even in the very phases… of the game. In tennis, especially on clay, sliding is continuous and is almost normal, while in Padel excessive rooting compromises dynamism. Finally, there is another important aspect.
The conformation of the foot varies from subject to subject and its bone conformation, as well as the fleshy mass and even before that the body weight of the competitive athlete above, do not allow extreme choices but suggest options open to a comfort condition of the user who is, of course, variable. To stay in the example, the tension of the strings of a racket will vary according to the
athlete’s playing style and the sports sock will partially follow the technical trajectory.
3. Breathability
Without taking anything away from the area of origin of the product, the brand, the colour, the shape and the marketing relating to the sock accessory, there are always 3 things to check
A): try the product thoroughly not by being captured by the package but by the olfactory perceptions after using it for a while;
B) feel it and test it after a few washes, making sure that it doesn’t already need to be thrown away and that it doesn’t give off strange post-wash odors;
C) forget that the expense made for a quality sock is such but that it is, rather, an investment in “health” that starts from the foot and transfers to our posture and therefore to sports performance.
FITNESS: ideal characteristics for work intensity
Hard Fitness
From the forcefully reappearing bodybuilding to the variations of Cross Fit and Functional Training, it has emerged that to improve performance a protective, high-performance, comfortable sock-accessory is needed. These disciplines are contributing to the evolution of increasingly adaptable products, since Cross Fit is among the queens of the “all-encompassing specialties” in terms of movement (strength, resistance, dexterity). The first great quality of accessories/outfits must therefore be their ductility. On the sports sock, gradually compressing the muscle masses with special fibers is similar to the solution borrowed from football or rugby. In the gym, certain hard, heavy, continuous training sessions of bodybuilders require an accessory sock that can go beyond the knee, at the median height of the quadriceps.
Crossfitters, Functional athletes, Power-lifters, Weight-lifters have been using knee braces and bandages for years which are not always suitable for explosive flexion and extension of the lower limbs. A bodybuilder will have rest breaks between sets, so he can tinker with socks and bandages, but an advanced Crossfitter has seamless rounds and usually prepares his “armor” at the beginning of the session and then battles continuously. An unsuitable bandage, therefore, will be lethal in endurance training, as it will slow down the action of blood flows with a progressive decline in performance. An ad hoc sock-accessory, however, which exerts a compression action that extends above the knee, will contribute to performance, unlike other socks or tubes which, by interrupting themselves under the kneecap, weaken the extensors and flexors of the thigh.
There is more. If there is also protection in the tibial area that does not preclude dynamism and explosiveness in the jump but avoids cuts from slipping on the Box-Jump or other obstacle, the accessory will truly be a super-plus. To close with the technical characteristics, in sessions that alternate internal rounds and cardio phases outside the gym, a compression sock will involve an artificial warm-up with muscle masses immediately at temperature, ready for action. And with protection from the frost of an air conditioner or from the real one, in winter.
Traditional fitness
Passionate fitness enthusiasts of all ages are so overwhelmed by the passion for training that they neglect the outfit used to perform. Performing well is not lifting tons of steel (the athletes mentioned above take care of that) but walking comfortably on a treadmill, pedaling easily on a bike, doing your exercise routine in peace in the gym, in your own company space, at home, at the park, or on holiday.
What is needed here is an “omnichannel” accessory sock with calibrated compression that provides stability and safety around the ankle, supporting every training session in the gym such as a tennis or padel match. It will also be a precious comfort tool on a long walk, running or trail riding. Those who carry out light fitness-sports activities always tend to underestimate the accessories they use, unlike competitive athletes who pay attention to detail. But it is from these athletes that we need to steal some tricks to capitalize on them, making the pre-activity dressing phase a true ritual.
Soft wellness
In the area of soft-wellness, Yoga, Pilates, Stretching, Postural and related activities, the elimination of socks is often imposed as they do not correspond to the needs of these disciplines. However, it has been found that many enthusiasts avoid such activities precisely because they are forced to go barefoot. Nonetheless, many soft wellness-users would be happy to participate if the option to wear an ad hoc sock was guaranteed.
A super light sock-accessory that preserves the enthusiast in terms of hygiene and discomfort in showing one’s extremities, is now indispensable and necessary. With a greater number of participants the conquest will be a win-win for everyone: gyms, teachers with many more satisfied students and students who will be able to breathe a sigh of relief with their feet covered and protected.
Photo by Unsplash
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2024-02-28 13:31:57
#tennis #padel #fitness #sock #choose
