Tommie Copper Review and giveaway

 Tommie Copper was awesome and sent me some really great calf sleeves, knee sleeves, and a compression shirt to review.   I have worn the calf sleeves everyday since I got them on Friday, they are my new best friend. 

First impressions: 

•  lightweight
• soft, silky  material
• love the logo placement
• wondered if they were really going to give a good amount of compression they seemed too thin
• overall good

I think my favorite out of the three are the calf sleeves, but they are all super comfy and as they were designed with everyday wear in mind they aren't super tight.

We all know why compression is beneficial to us runners and athletes.  In case you are curious,  here is a little of the science behind the copper in Tommie Copper as taken from their website

How is copper used in medicine?

Copper has been used in medicine for thousands of years, one of the world's oldest medical texts, the Ebers Papyrus states, "Treat inflammation with pulverized copper". Copper also stimulates the immune system to fight infections, to repair injured tissues, and to promote healing. Copper has been shown to neutralize "free-radicals" which can cause severe damage to cells. Symptoms of copper deficiency include osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

How does the body use copper?

Copper is necessary for the growth, development, and maintenance of bone, connective tissue, brain, heart, and many other body organs. It is involved in the formation of red blood cells, the absorption and utilization of iron, and the synthesis and release of life-sustaining proteins and enzymes. These enzymes in turn produce cellular energy and regulate nerve transmission, blood clotting, and oxygen transport.

The calf sleeves are designed to help reduce inflammation, stimulate circulation and help relieve shin and calf pain.  They are truly comfortable enough to wear all day.  I wore them to work and my legs felt great at the end of the day.  I wore them for recovery after my 5 mile race last Saturday and today I did a 6 mile run in them.  They feel really good.  I had no problems with them falling down, being itchy, or feeling too tight.  

 I love the shirt as well,  I have slept in it a couple of times and today I took it on my run with me.  The material is soft and comfy, once again it isn't over tight.  I have noticed that if I sit on my computer typing too long I get a pain down the left side of my neck and shoulder (probably due in part to poor ergonomics at my table with my laptop). I was a little skeptical about it at first, but wearing the shirt does help.  I have not noticed the usual pain once yesterday or today while wearing it. They also make the shirt in a nude color so that it blends under work clothes.  

 I haven't worn the knee sleeves quite as much, but I did put them on with the calf sleeves as an experiment today to see how they felt together when running.  I would have to say they felt great.  No slipping, not too tight and after the first half mile or so I even forgot I was wearing them.  I didn't feel like they were too hot either, despite it being 75 degrees out.

Here I am rocking all my Tommie Copper compression gear.  

 

Final Impressions

• Super comfy for all day wear, recovery, or running in.  I am in love with mine.
• Calf and Knee sleeves are a great deal at $24.50 each.  
• Now I am just wishing they would make some compression shorts to help my hams and quads.

Here is the fun part.  YOU can win your very own calf sleeves from Tommie Copper.

You of course have to be a follower of my blog to enter.  Here is how you gain entries.  Leave a seperate comment for each that you do.  A winner will be drawn via random.org on Sept 1, 2011. 
Mandatory

1. Follow Tommie Copper on twitter HERE
2. Like Tommie Copper on facebook HERE, tell them I sent you.

Bonus Entries
3. Follow me on twitter HERE
4. Check out the Tommie Copper website and tell me what you like
5. Blog, tweet, or Facebook about this giveaway leave a comment for each you do.
6. Follow me on FB HERE

Disclaimer:  Tommie Copper provided me with these products free of charge, but the opinions expressed are my own.