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Mark Bell Grippy X sleeve vs Xtreme x sleeve

Posted by Pascal Landshoeft

Jul 22, 2020 9:00:00 AM

Mark Bell Grippy X sleeve vs Xtreme x sleeve

This is a comparison between the Grippy x sleeve and the Xtreme X Sleeve including pros, cons and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

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Xtreme X Sleeves
 

Overiew and review of the Xtreme X Sleeves

 
The x treme X Sleeves are the follow up of the Grippy X Sleeves which are IPF approved. This is the stiffest you can get in knee sleeves and still use in an IPF competition for $85.
 

 

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Overview of the Xtreme X Sleeves

 

 
The extreme x sleeves are the evolution of the grippy x sleeves from Mark Bell. While the grippy x sleeve used some material that was not approved by the IPF, the extreme x sleeve has been made thicker to compensate for the removal of that material. The extreme x sleeve now bears the IPF approval. The features of the extreme x sleeves are: 
 
  • IPF Approved
  • Sold In Pairs
  • 7mm thick
  • Length: 29cm
  • Sizes: S to 4XL
  • Color: Black
 
The idea of the x treme x sleeve is to get as close to the effects of a knee wrap in a knee sleeve. This makes this knee sleeve one of the stiffest on the market and ideal for 1 repetition maximum efforts. They are tighter than the strong knee sleeves and thicker than the grippy x.
 

Sizing for the Xtreme X Sleeves

 
The extreme x sleeve is available in seven different sizes. These sleeves run very tight so take your measurements seriously before purchasing. Measure your knee circumference when the leg is straight to make your decision 
 
S - knee circumference 13” -14
M - 14.25” - 15 
L - 15.25” - 16
Xl- 16.25” - 17 
2Xl - 17.25” - 18
3xl - 18.25” - 19 
4xl - 19.25” - 20
 

Pros of the Xtreme X Sleeve

 
The Xtreme X sleeve has the following pros in my view:
 
  • Stiffness
  • IPF Approval
 
The main point for the X Treme X Sleeve is that it is stiff. Its design will help you to squat more on a one-repetition maximum attempt. Therefore it does what it says on the tin and is worth the money for someone who is interested in this.
 
Compared to the Grippy X Sleeve of Mark Bell the X Ttreme X has the IPF approval as the components in question have been removed. There it is thicker and got the IPF approval. This sleeve can be used on an international stage without your attempts being voided. 
 

Cons of the x treme x sleeve

 
The biggest cons of the Xtreme x sleeve are:
 
  • Stiffness
  • Price
 
The stiffness of the X treme X Sleeve can work against it if your goal is something else than a maximum one repetition squat. Olympic lifters might prefer a little more flexibility to get into the hole fast. For this application, the x treme x sleeve might be too stiff. The same goes for Crossfit athletes who want to run and move around while they still have the sleeves on. For these scenarios, you might be better off getting a Rehband sleeve.
 
The Xtreme X Sleeve is high quality and designed for the purpose of one repetition maximums and therefore comes with one of the highest price tags amongst knee sleeves. If you are in the game for personal records you probably are willing to pay 90 bucks for a knee sleeve. If you are more casual and just want to protect your ligaments you can do it cheaper with some of the less stiff no-name brands. 
 

Alternatives to the Xtreme X Sleeve

 
The alternatives to the Extreme X Sleeve are:
 
 
The grippy knee sleeves are the original design of the X treme X Sleeves which was got approved by the IPF and then rejected based on the use of material which was not allowed. The Extreme X Sleeves were the follow up to be in line with the IPF standards. If you want the "Cheater" sleeves from Mark Bell go for these as they have the same effect as the Xtreme while being thinner. This is achieved by using different materials.
 
The strong knee sleeves would be the all-purpose alternative to the X Treme X Sleeves. These knee sleeves are also provided by Mark Bell but are less stiff. This makes them a little more versatile than the stiff sleeves out of the Mark Bell range.
 
The Rehband knee sleeves are around for a long time across all sports. While Mark Bell's focus is more towards powerlifting, the Rehband knee sleeves are designed with the entire sporting community in mind. The Strong knee sleeves and Rehband knee sleeves will be very close in the type of sleeve you will get. Here it is a choice between personal taste and budget, rather than functionality of the sleeve.
 

Summary for the Xtreme X sleeve

 
The Xtreme X SLeeve is probably the best knee sleeve in the market when you want to increase your one-repetition maximum on the squat. Keep in mind that it has been designed for that purpose. High repetition work or running around in them might not be the best idea and other sleeves will do this job better. Between the grippy and the X Sleeve, I would go for the X Sleeves it is IPF approved unless you like to own some pieces of powerlifting history.
 
Xtreme X Sleeves
 

Overiew and review of the Xtreme X Sleeves

 
The x treme X Sleeves are the follow up of the Grippy X Sleeves which are IPF approved. This is the stiffest you can get in knee sleeves and still use in an IPF competition for $85.
 

Overview of the Xtreme X Sleeves

 

 
The extreme x sleeves are the evolution of the grippy x sleeves from Mark Bell. While the grippy x sleeve used some material that was not approved by the IPF, the extreme x sleeve has been made thicker to compensate for the removal of that material. The extreme x sleeve now bears the IPF approval. The features of the extreme x sleeves are: 
 
  • IPF Approved
  • Sold In Pairs
  • 7mm thick
  • Length: 29cm
  • Sizes: S to 4XL
  • Color: Black
 
The idea of the x treme x sleeve is to get as close to the effects of a knee wrap in a knee sleeve. This makes this knee sleeve one of the stiffest on the market and ideal for 1 repetition maximum efforts. They are tighter than the strong knee sleeves and thicker than the grippy x.
 

Sizing for the Xtreme X Sleeves

 
The extreme x sleeve is available in seven different sizes. These sleeves run very tight so take your measurements seriously before purchasing. Measure your knee circumference when the leg is straight to make your decision 
 
S - knee circumference 13” -14
M - 14.25” - 15 
L - 15.25” - 16
Xl- 16.25” - 17 
2Xl - 17.25” - 18
3xl - 18.25” - 19 
4xl - 19.25” - 20
 

Pros of the Xtreme X Sleeve

 
The Xtreme X sleeve has the following pros in my view:
 
  • Stiffness
  • IPF Approval
 
The main point for the X Treme X Sleeve is that it is stiff. Its design will help you to squat more on a one-repetition maximum attempt. Therefore it does what it says on the tin and is worth the money for someone who is interested in this.
 
Compared to the Grippy X Sleeve of Mark Bell the X Ttreme X has the IPF approval as the components in question have been removed. There it is thicker and got the IPF approval. This sleeve can be used on an international stage without your attempts being voided. 
 

Cons of the x treme x sleeve

 
The biggest cons of the Xtreme x sleeve are:
 
  • Stiffness
  • Price
 
The stiffness of the X treme X Sleeve can work against it if your goal is something else than a maximum one repetition squat. Olympic lifters might prefer a little more flexibility to get into the hole fast. For this application, the x treme x sleeve might be too stiff. The same goes for Crossfit athletes who want to run and move around while they still have the sleeves on. For these scenarios, you might be better off getting a Rehband sleeve.
 
The Xtreme X Sleeve is high quality and designed for the purpose of one repetition maximums and therefore comes with one of the highest price tags amongst knee sleeves. If you are in the game for personal records you probably are willing to pay 90 bucks for a knee sleeve. If you are more casual and just want to protect your ligaments you can do it cheaper with some of the less stiff no-name brands. 
 

Alternatives to the Xtreme X Sleeve

 
The alternatives to the Extreme X Sleeve are:
 
 
The grippy knee sleeves are the original design of the X treme X Sleeves which was got approved by the IPF and then rejected based on the use of material which was not allowed. The Extreme X Sleeves were the follow up to be in line with the IPF standards. If you want the "Cheater" sleeves from Mark Bell go for these as they have the same effect as the Xtreme while being thinner. This is achieved by using different materials.
 
The strong knee sleeves would be the all-purpose alternative to the X Treme X Sleeves. These knee sleeves are also provided by Mark Bell but are less stiff. This makes them a little more versatile than the stiff sleeves out of the Mark Bell range.
 
The Rehband knee sleeves are around for a long time across all sports. While Mark Bell's focus is more towards powerlifting, the Rehband knee sleeves are designed with the entire sporting community in mind. The Strong knee sleeves and Rehband knee sleeves will be very close in the type of sleeve you will get. Here it is a choice between personal taste and budget, rather than functionality of the sleeve.
 

Summary for the Xtreme X sleeve

 
The Xtreme X SLeeve is probably the best knee sleeve in the market when you want to increase your one-repetition maximum on the squat. Keep in mind that it has been designed for that purpose. High repetition work or running around in them might not be the best idea and other sleeves will do this job better. Between the grippy and the X Sleeve, I would go for the X Sleeves it is IPF approved unless you like to own some pieces of powerlifting history.
 
Mark Bell grippy X Sleeve
 

Overview and review of the Grippy X Sleeve

 
Grippy x sleeves are one of the stiffest and thinnest knee sleeves on the market and comes in at $85. This is the one to go for to optimize your one repetition maximum.
 

Overview of the Grippy x sleeve

 
The Grippy x sleeves come out of the range of Mark bell’s wraps and sleeves. His channel supertraining06 is probably one of the biggest, if not the biggest, powerlifting channel on YouTube. They are designed to emulate wraps and be as stiff as possible for heavy squats. The specifications are: 
 
  • Sold in Pairs
  • Thickness: 6.5mm
  • Length: 29cm
  • Approved by USPA
 
To provide a good, right support to place another squat personal record. 
 

Sizing for the Grippy x sleeve

 
I take no responsibility for any size information as it usually lands me in trouble with at least one person. What I will say is that the design of the Grippy x sleeve is unforgiving. Take the measurements seriously and spent some time thinking about size or you might be in a world of pain to get these on. This is intended for the support the x sleeves provide. Rehband models are more forgiving in this regard. The sizes are
 
  • S - knee circumference 13-14”
  • M - 14.25” - 15”
  • L - 15.25” - 16”
  • Xl - 16.25” - 17” 
  • 2xl - 17.25” - 18”
  • 3xl - 18.25” - 19”
  • 4xl - 19.25” - 20”
 
If you have very big calves which are potentially thicker circumference then your knee, go a size up.
 

Pros of the grippy x sleeve 

 
The pros of the grippy x sleeves are: 
 
  • USAPF approved 
  • Stiffness 
  • Experienced vendor 
 
The grippy x sleeves are USAPF approved. This means that you can use them in competitions in this federation. It is always good to simulate competition conditions as close as you can in training. With these sleeves, you at least compete on a national level. IPF approval is a different topic. 
 
The stiffness of the x sleeve is its main selling point. The grippy x sleeves are probably the closest you can get with sleeves to simulate a wrap. A good knee wrap will be tighter and provide more bounce, but it is also hard to do it yourself. 
 
Mark Bell has been around for a long time and was a powerlifter for a long time. Whether you actually need all of the sleeves he puts out can be debated, but his products do what they say on the tin, based on my experience. 
 

Cons of the Grippy x sleeve 

 
The cons of the grippy x sleeve 
 
  • IPF controversy 
  • Price 
  • Stiffness 
 
One con for international powerlifters is that there is a debate about whether they should be IPF approved. There is a controversy for how they function and a complaint was filed (probably by SBD).The IPF is the international rather than national federation for powerlifting and considered the gold standard of raw lifting. If you read this check the current status as it might have changed. 
 
The price is a little steep but you pay for the quality. This was so good that it was ruled out, so it will probably protect your knees and improve your PR. 
 
The stiffness can work against you. Of you want to use these sleeves for CrossFit WODs or Olympic lifts they might limit your range of motion too much. 
 

Alternatives to the grippy x sleeve

 
Alternatives to the grippy x sleeves are:
 
 
Knee wraps are the ultimate stability tool for your knees. While they are harder to put on correctly they provide the most amount of bounce. Depending on the lifting federation they might be allowed or not. Lifting with wraps is not considered raw lifting. 
 
The Rehband knee sleeve is the long-held general standard for knee sleeves. You will find Rehband products across all different sports. The use is versatile and they are not as stiff as the Mark bell grippy sleeves.
 
The x knee sleeves from Mark bell are the upgraded version after the IPF pulled their approval for the grippy sleeves. This is the updated version with thicker neoprene that covers USAPF and IPF approvals. 
 

Summary for the grippy X Sleeve

 
The grippy x sleeves are the “cheater” sleeves which will provide you with great support for raw lifting and were so effective that the IPF banned them. Definitely worth having if it just for the story around them. Of you want sleeves with similar attributes to go for the extreme x sleeves. 
 

Topics: Rogue