I love kinesiology tape. Plain and simple, no questions asked. I’ve been using it for years, and am a staunch believer in its benefits. From drug-free pain relief to faster recovery and muscle support while training, there are a million reasons to love this stuff. 

But despite being a lover of the kinesiology tape, I’ve got one big issue with it: it’s an absolute pain to apply. Not only is it sticky, but it’s hard to know how much to cut, to figure out how many strips you’ll need, and, my least favorite, to know where the tape should be applied for best results. Although I’m pretty knowledgeable when it comes to body mechanics, I’m certainly not an expert, so whenever I’ve applied tape in the past, I’ve struggled to get it just right. My chiropractor is willing to help, but obviously, it’s unrealistic to think I’m going to ask for his assistance with every application. 

I’ve still continued to use kinesiology tape despite those struggles, as the pros certainly outweigh the cons, but I was so thrilled when I saw that SpiderTech had a new product called Pro-Cuts – and even more excited when I got the chance to try them out. 

SpiderTech Pro-Cuts: What Are They? 

SpiderTech’s Pro-Cuts are the best of both worlds. Six body-specific designs – for the hip, shoulder, knee, ankle, lower back, and postural – take the guesswork out of the application, and ensure a perfect result every time. They’ve essentially taken everything I disliked about kinesiology tape (except for the stickiness – that’s kind of necessary) and fixed it. 

The perfect application is a huge plus, but I also love that these pre-cut designs are water-resistant, long-lasting, hypoallergenic, and latex free. When I tell you that these Pro-Cuts are all pros, I’m absolutely serious. 

How To Apply

Applying the Pro-Cuts is leagues easier than applying regular kinesiology tape, so if you’ve ever tried that, you’re already going to be a master at applying these.

While it’s pretty simple to intuitively tell what goes where (the Pro-Cuts are even numbered, so you can see which portion of the tape to apply first), SpiderTech has a bunch of application videos that are definitely worth a watch. 

For a few of the Pro-Cuts, like the postural and shoulder, you’ll probably need someone to help you out, but they definitely don’t need to be an expert. Your partner, gym buddy, or roommate will do just fine here – trust me, they’re really that easy.

If you don’t have anyone to help you out, it’s still possible to apply these alone – I did the shoulder Pro-Cut on my own, and it was just fine. Just take it slow and follow along with the instructional video. If you mess up and a portion of the tape gets a little crinkled, it’s really not the end of the world. I’ve found the Pro-Cuts to be just as effective even if I don’t apply them absolutely perfectly. 

How and When to Wear 

Once you’ve applied, you’re ready to go. I love applying mine before a workout, but it’s also super handy if you have a nagging injury, are experiencing pain from a muscle strain, or just want to help your muscles recover more quickly. Kinesiology tape is great in that it works instantly, so you don’t have to wait for something to kick in or wear off. 

The tape can be worn for up to five days, but I tend to wear mine between two to three days. Eventually, it’ll start to peel on its own, and then you just pull it off. Though it’s sticky, it doesn’t hurt at all to remove, so if you’re one of those people that hates taking off a band-aid, don’t fret.

The Pro-Cuts are designed to be kept on while you shower, sleep, and sweat, and they stay put without a problem. They’re made specifically for being active, so don’t feel like you need to be careful while going through your daily movements. When I first started wearing kinesiology tape, I felt like I needed to move slowly and carefully to ensure the tape wasn’t going to pop off. It’s a little weird getting used to it, but seeing that it’s worn by professional ballerinas, tennis players, Ironman athletes, and Olympians, it’s probably safe to assume that if it doesn’t budge for them, it’s going to stay put for me. 

Apart from functionality, the Pro-Cuts come in three different colors: Blue, Black, and Gentle, a light beige that’s designed specifically for sensitive skin. While the tape color has nothing to do with how it works, it’s always fun to have options! 

Overall, I really enjoy using kinesiology tape, and SpiderTech’s Pro-Cuts took that to a new level. I genuinely feel like they help me move better and reduce the pain of nagging injuries, so I’ll absolutely continue to wear these in the future. 

Ready to reduce pain and inflammation, speed up recovery, and support your muscles and joints? Shop SpiderTech’s Pro-Cuts, and the full lineup of kinesiology tape here.