High Tech Sports Tape To Up Your Gym Game

Here at Supercompressor, we’ve got the lowdown on everything money can buy to help you stay fit—from sneaky office workouts to high-tech sneakers and running apparel. But what about the most valuable piece of equipment of all? When it comes to protecting your body, you’ve got to make sure you’re using the right technology to keep yourself pain-free and moving like the well-oiled machine you are.

That’s why when we heard about SpiderTech, a sports tape with an intriguing but ominous name, we were anxious to get our hands on some and give it a try.

And it’s not just us. US Olympic cyclist Dotsie Bausch is a die-hard user of the stuff, so we caught up with the Silver medalist to find out just what makes it so effective.

First, a quick science lesson. SpiderTech uses “Sensory Gaiting,” which essentially activates your nerve endings to block pain. By tugging on the skin, it alleviates agitation in superficial tissues. 

So what makes this stuff different from the other athletic tapes on the market? For starters, it’s the only one available in pre-cut adhesive strips. According to Bausch, “With other products, you're just staring at the roll. It's really intimidating to look at a roll of tape. You have no idea how to cut it, how to apply it, how to stretch it." 

And after trying many others, Bausch, who suffered from chronic back pain, settled on SpiderTech, which was a constant aid in her training for the London games where she medaled. “Track cycling starts from a dead stop, so you have to have a tremendous amount of power since you're on a fixed gear bike. You can't build into it,” she told us. 

The natural, drug-free pain relief ultimately won her over. Bausch, who's training for Rio in 2016, was able to cut OTC painkillers out completely. “You look into the future and that much ibuprofen use could have done some permanent, irreparable damage. You're only an athlete for so many years.” 

But you don’t need to be a pro to up your gym-game, because even you can master a simple peel and stick system. You can wear this stuff for up to five days without irritation, since it’s 100 percent cotton. Cut back on the pain, work out a little longer, and never be caught without an answer to the age old question of “Do you even lift, bro?”


Ali Drucker is the editorial assistant for Supercompressor. Yes, she lifts. Find out how much on Twitter @ali_drucker.