Okay, so I’ve been meaning to get into this whole “football tape” thing for a while now. I see all these athletes using it, and I’ve been curious about how it actually works. So, I finally decided to give it a shot myself and see what the fuss is all about.
First, I had to figure out what kind of tape to get. Turns out, there are a few different types out there. I went with Kinesio tape because I heard it was the original. It comes in different colors, which is kinda cool, but apparently, the beige one is the most common for sports, so I picked that up.
I also found out that each color means something. They say red is for heat and energy, blue is for cooling and calm, but beige is the basic one. I thought, “Okay, interesting,” but I just wanted something that would work. I wasn’t too worried about the color therapy aspect of it.
Before I started taping myself up, I made sure to read the instructions and some tips online. It said to make sure your skin is clean and dry, no lotions or oils. And if you’re hairy, you might want to shave the area first, ouch! Luckily, I didn’t have to worry about that.
Now, I wanted to tape my wrists because I tend to get sore there after a long day. The whole idea is that the tape is supposed to support your muscles and joints without restricting your movement too much.
- Prepping the skin: I washed my wrists thoroughly with soap and water and dried them completely.
- Cutting the tape: I cut two strips of tape, long enough to go around my wrist a couple of times.
- Applying the tape: This was the tricky part. I followed a video I found that showed how to do a basic wrist wrap. I tried my best to get the tension right, not too tight, not too loose.
Honestly, it took a few tries to get it right. The first time, it was way too loose and didn’t feel like it was doing anything. The second time, I pulled it too tight, and it was uncomfortable. But finally, on the third try, I think I got it!
I kept the tape on for the rest of the day and even did some light exercises. I have to say, my wrists did feel a bit more supported. It wasn’t a magical cure or anything, but there was a noticeable difference. It felt like my wrists weren’t bending as much, which is exactly what I was going for.
I’ve been experimenting with taping other areas too, like my ankles and knees. It’s a bit of a learning curve, figuring out the right way to apply it for each body part, but it’s been interesting to see how it affects my movement and how my body feels.
Overall, I’d say my experience with football tape has been positive. It’s not a miracle worker, but it does seem to provide some support and stability. I’m definitely going to keep using it and see how it helps in the long run. I’m no pro athlete, but hey, every little bit helps, right?
Is it worth a try?
I’d say yeah. If you’re curious, give it a shot and see if it works for you. Just remember to do your research and maybe watch some videos before you start sticking tape all over yourself.
