From brightly coloured knee-highs to calf and arm sleeves, compression garments promise better muscle recovery and in some cases, better performance. We couldn’t help but wonder if the obsession with compression is truly game-changing or just a goofy style throwback to the days of Keds and tube socks. We asked two of our run ambassadors if they buy into the gear.

run ambassador sam sykes – yay!

Friends, strangers and athletes, I’m here to tell you: embrace the compression, love the compression, and the compression will hug you back!

Compression – it comes in many forms.  Tights, crops, shirts, tanks, arm sleeves, calf sleeves, socks. You name the body part and it can be outfitted in snug, muscle-loving fabric. The gear increases blood circulation to your tired, hardworking muscles and reduces lactic acid buildup for quicker recovery post-workout. As for wearing it during activity, it probably won’t make a difference to your race times, despite the few scientific studies out there that claim it boosts performance.

Me – I love the squeeze.  It’s like a constant massage on my tired legs when I shimmy (and shake and jump and wiggle) into my compression tights.  Wearing my compression socks post-race is the foot rub that nobody wants to give me. It is seriously awesome-amazing.

run ambassador linda wong – nay! (well, impartial but that doesn’t rhyme)

I got my first pair of compression socks about two years ago. Word on the street is that they are supposed to help with recovery so I was open to a little experimenting! I went on a few longs runs and then sported my socks when I got home. The verdict – I didn’t really notice anything; I am completely indifferent. I did however continue to wear them but mostly just because I haven't worn knee highs since grade school and it was fun.

I asked a few medical professionals what their thoughts were and these were the basics of what they had to say:

• Unless you're going to put your feet up and wear your compression socks, you're not really using the compression socks to the full effect.  Standing and walking around after a workout only causes your blood to pool – gravity is still in effect my friends!
• There are so many different brands of compression socks out there - some are good, some are not so good.  Medical ones have different "grades" based on your needs and calf size. It’s definitely a good idea to do your research if you’re going to invest.

My conclusion - with many things in this world, do what works for you.  I can't say that I'm a full-on believer of them but I'm not ruling it out just yet.

So, is compression worth all the hoop-la or is it just another costume piece for runners who are trying too hard?

want more?

• get up close and personal with our technical features
• more great debate: running with music
• how to layer for fall runs

However, not all styles of lululemon pants seem to work for me and my, let's say badankadonk. Don't get me wrong my booty loves being wrapped in luon, but sometimes my backyard does not like to come out of the fit rooms. "Hockey butt" is not a phenomenon only enjoyed by men, ladies have athletic "hockey butt" too, but in America we refer to it as "hitter's butt" or "baseball butt".

My "hitter's butt" and I are notorious for wearing things too big, and stray from publicly modeling new styles. Recently my fellow co-workers at lululemon La Jolla have been encouraging my private fit sessions to become public so that I no longer buy the wrong sizes. I like trying things on when no one can watch me, and yet I love when guests model for me and tell me everything they love and anything they would change on our garments. But we are working through this...

A week or so ago when the "Snaptastic Pants" were delivered to our wonderful store in La Jolla, and my friends Julie and Stefanie tried them on (both dancers, both yogis, both with legs to die for) and the pants looked phenomenal on them both! They both ranted and raved about how the pants gave them a nice compression, and the snaps were a great detail for air flow in pilates, yoga and dance class.

The pants have great detail where they almost compress around the calves of your legs, and thus showing off a lady's lovely shape. Me and my lovely lady lumps however were not having it when Julie and Stefanie forced me to try them on.

I have always admired the delicate movements and muscles of dancers, and though I am comfortable in my own skin, I did at this moment envy their ability to rock such cool pants that I refused to even try. I figured with my athletic shape, size 6 tummy, and size 8 "hitter's butt", I would look like a pear with legs. I watched them snap their pants up and down, until I finally got the nerve to try them on.

As I shyly creeped out of the fit rooms, and looked at mirror and said "Ohhh snapp!! These actually work for me!!"

The wonderful feature of compression truly showed of the details of my calves, and the snap open flare at the ankles not only enhanced the shape of my legs, but also balanced the extra shape of my hitter's butt!

For once I almost feel like a dancer in my Snaptastic Pants, and love that they are black and yet also reverse to grey! Hey now, phenomenal!

So again to the wonderful lululemon designers, thank you for making a wonderful garment that you don't have to be a dancer to rock and look great in. You can have a "hitter's butt" and strut your stuff in your badonka-down-dog at yoga!

Seriously girls with or without curves, go try these on, you truly might surprise yourself and your legs just might fall in love at first touch!

Namaste!

*Please note, for guests dying to learn more about the Snaptastic pant, please visit your local lululemon store or give us a ring at 1.877.263.9300 x2. This product is currently an in-store exclusive. To find a lululemon location near you, visit our store finder here: http://www.lululemon.com/stores/ Alright, enough business, let's talk pants!