An Athlete’s Guide to Compression Shirts
- Compression Athlete
- 9 hours ago
- 4 min read
Get the most out of your compression shirt with these helpful tips.
Athletes turn to compression shirts as the ideal base layer for both training and competition thanks to their stretchy feel, comfortable layering fit, and performance boosting benefits.
No matter your sport or skill level, any athlete can utilize a compression shirt to improve their overall athletic performance and muscle recovery.
And a little compression shirt knowledge goes a long way.
By understanding the intended design of compression shirts and how to best derive their benefits, you can elevate your athletic performance, nurture your hard-working muscles, and enjoy a more comfortable, distraction-free fit.
Here’s what we cover in this guide:
Here’s how to wear your compression shirt correctly to ensure performance benefits.
Of course, this isn’t rocket science.
The basics of wearing a compression shirt is the same as wearing any shirt.
But there are a few key differences that arise when it comes to layering your compression shirt that can negatively impact its performance if done incorrectly.
In general, compression garments, including both short sleeve and long sleeve compression shirts, are intended to be worn right against your skin as a base layer.
So, in other words, you’re not supposed to wear any layers underneath your compression shirt.
This is the best way to ensure that you reap all the performance benefits that compression fabric has to offer.
"Compression shirts should be worn right against your skin as a base layer."
Keep in mind, however, that this does not apply to sports bras for female athletes.
It’s absolutely fine to wear a sports bra underneath your compression shirt, as the fit and fabric of a sports bra will be similar in nature to your compression shirt and should provide a comfortable, friction-free wear.
What’s key here for athletes is to minimize any superfluous fabric underneath your compression shirt to allow the performance fabric to do its job unimpeded.
The smooth and stretchy feel of compression fabric should be more than comfortable enough to wear on its own right against your skin.
If you feel like this isn’t the case with your compression shirt, you may have a sizing issue or an issue with garment quality.
It’s also important to note that the same holds true in cold weather conditions.
Your compression shirt should always be worn as the base layer with any additional layers you choose to wear for added warmth layered over the top.
Make sure your compression shirt fits and feels like a second skin.
Even as designs continue to grow and evolve, there remain a few key characteristics that you’ll always want to have in a compression shirt.
For starters, compression shirts are designed to fit snuggly against your skin.
You should feel their compressive pressure throughout the entire garment, from the neckline to the waist, as well as through the entire length of each sleeve.
This pressure should be firm but not restrictive.
If your shirt is uncomfortable to wear or restricting your movements in any way, then the pressure is too firm.
Athletes commonly choose compression shirts to layer underneath their uniform or training gear thanks to their smooth, stretchy, and sweat-wicking characteristics.
During play, you can see how important it is that the shirt fits snugly while allowing a full range of motion, wearing like a second skin.
This fit allows the uniform to fit comfortably over the top of the compression shirt without causing any bunching, friction, or restriction.
Keep this in mind if you’re wearing your compression shirt for an extended period.
Once you find a favorite brand or style of compression shirt that fits and feels great, it’s not uncommon to begin expanding its use and incorporating it into more of your wardrobe.
Many athletes find that they really enjoy the fit of compression shirts both on their own and as a layering option for physical activity and everyday wear.
Compared to other base layer and undershirt options, compressions shirts are superior in several ways: soft and breathable feel, no bunching or shifting around, and moisture wicking to keep you cool, dry, and comfortable.
"It’s okay to wear your compression shirt for extended periods so long as you choose a shirt that does not block in moisture or one that is too constricting."
But as you wear your compression shirt more, you might be wondering whether it’s safe to wear for longer durations.
For instance, is it okay to wear a compression shirt all day?
The short answer: Yes, it’s okay to wear your compression shirt for extended periods of time, including all day, so long as you choose a shirt that does not block in moisture or one that is too constricting.
If you’ve noticed that your compression shirt has either of these characteristics, it’s important that you replace it with a better option, as these characteristics can lead to problems when worn for extended periods.
Remember, compression garments that fit correctly and are constructed with high-quality fabric do not get in the way of any bodily movement or function.
Rather, the compression garment simply offers additional support and mobilization to the applied muscle areas.
For more helpful tips on compression gear, check out our dedicated compression page.
