Weightlifting Knee Bands - K.T. Knee Bands |
Tommy Kono $38.98
Buy TK Knee Bands | Knee Wraps
Olympic and World Champion Tommy Kono's story:
I never had knee problems until I gave an informal demonstration
at a Boy Scout Jamboree near Dover, Pennsylvania. I performed a
Split-style Snatch of 135 lb. My best Snatch at that time was 297
lb. using the Squat-style so you would think that a measly 135 should
not bother me. Well, evidently my forward knee, the right one, must
have flexed a little out of alignment for it did not feel right
after I gave the exhibition. I did not think anything of it and
went on to Warsaw, Poland for the '59 World Weightlifting Championships.
At the Championships I tried a World Record lift of 374 lb. in the
Clean and Jerk. I shouldered the weight but failed the overhead
portion of the lift. The very next day after spending some waking
hours moving around, I tried to sit on a chair and found I could
not bend my right leg enough to sit correctly. It was stiff and
the knee looked swollen. From then on I had a knee problem. Because
my right knee was bad I started to favor it and use my left leg
more in all my movements, even transferring much of my training
load to my left leg.
Yes, you guessed it. I had a problem with my left knee too. I was
plagued with both knees being bad going to the 1960 Rome Olympics.
My once thickly muscled legs, especially right above my knees, started
to shrink in size for I could not perform the full knee bends or
tax them without being in pain. Sports medicine was unknown and
especially in Hawaii such a thing as arthroscopic surgery was nonexistent.
I suffered through 4 more years but in early 1964 I created a support
for my knees that worked wonders. It kept my knees stable, warm
and provided good support. I used it every time I used my legs and
that meant for Olympic lifting, of course. It was like having a
new pair of knees! If I had these knee bands earlier it would have
prolonged my weightlifting career and I may have even won my third
gold medal at the 1960 Olympics.
When I was coaching in Mexico I gave a pair to Bob Bednarski at
the 1966 World Weightlifting Championships that was staged in East
Berlin. He took it back to York and used it in training. It was
used by Tommy Suggs, then editor of Strength and Health magazine,
and Bill Starr, the assistant editor. It was common for all three
to take turns using it because they had only one pair between them.
When I developed the knee band, I called it T. K. Knee Bands. When
Bob Hoffman of York took over the marketing, he renamed it B. H.
Knee Bands. Now, for the first time since then, the original design
and material are now available to keep your knees in top shape.
These specially developed knee bands are not your typical knee sleeves,
knee supporters or knee braces. When you wear them, you know you
have something that will protect your knees from injuries. After
you have used them in your training and remove them, your knees
will feel as if they are well lubricated and feel like new. Your
knees will actually be sweating. Because of their special elastic
quality, the Regular size will accommodate knees of athletes that
weigh 130 lb. to 250 lb. Large size is recommended for those weighing
over 250 lb. or for those who have exceptionally large knees.
One of the expressions I heard a long time ago for boxers was,
"First your legs go, then you arms go, then your friends go." How
much of this is true or not, does not matter but the knees are the
most vulnerable joint in the body. This is especially true for basketball
players, football players and any sport where the legs are vigorously
used.
The purchase of the T. K. Knee Bands could very well be the wisest
investment you ever made in quality wear for your training.
*Disclaimer: Before beginning any exercise program,
consult with your physician to ensure that you are in proper health.
These are not meant to provide medical advice; you should obtain
medical advice from your private healthcare practitioner. No liability
is assumed by QFAC for any of the information contained herein.
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