About Musclemendhq

Why I Started This Site

I've watched too many athletes limp off the field because their gear failed at the worst possible moment. After fifteen years working sidelines, I've seen "medical-grade" knee braces slide down sweaty legs during fourth-quarter drives and KT tape that loses its adhesive before halftime. I've taped ankles at 6 AM in freezing locker rooms and made split-second decisions about whether a player can return to the game.

I started Musclemendhq because I was tired of seeing athletes get hurt again—and again—using products that look great in Amazon photos but can't handle real athletic stress. Most review sites out there unbox a product, take some photos, and slap on five stars. They've never sprinted in that compression sleeve. They've never washed that brace twenty times to see if the velcro dies. I have. And I'm here to tell you what actually holds up when you're pushing through that last rep or fighting for a playoff spot.

About Jake Mercer

I'm Jake Mercer, a certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) with fifteen years in the trenches of collegiate and professional sports medicine. I've spent more Friday nights under stadium lights than I can count, and I've worked through enough playoff runs to know that the right gear can mean the difference between a championship and an early exit.

My certification matters—it's grounded in anatomy, biomechanics, and evidence-based practice—but the calluses on my hands matter just as much. I've learned which knee braces actually stabilize an MCL tear when a 250-pound lineman cuts hard, and which ones are just expensive elastic. I've tested ankle braces that claim to prevent rolls only to watch them fail when an athlete lands in a divot. I've gone through rolls of kinesiology tape to find brands that maintain their tension through four quarters of sweat and contact.

You should trust my judgment because I've been accountable for these decisions in real time. When I clear an athlete to return to play, my reputation and their health are on the line. I bring that same standard to every review on this site.

What We Cover

This site covers the gear that keeps athletes on the field and helps them recover smarter when they're sidelined. Here's what you'll find:

This content is for athletes who play hard, weekend warriors figuring out why their shoulder keeps aching, parents buying braces for high schoolers, and fellow trainers looking for honest intel on new products. If you're tired of gear that fails when you need it most, you're in the right place.

How We Test & Review

Every product on this site gets put through real-world testing before I write a word. I wear these braces during training sessions. I apply that tape and see if it survives a full practice in August heat. I wash compression sleeves repeatedly to check if they lose elasticity. My criteria are simple: does it provide the support it claims? Does it stay in place during explosive movement? Will it last longer than three weeks?

I spend weeks, sometimes months, with a product before reviewing it. No unboxing videos. No first impressions. Just hard data gathered from actual athletic stress.

I do use affiliate links. If you buy something through my recommendations, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. But here's the thing: I'd rather lose that commission than watch you re-injure yourself because I recommended garbage. My scores aren't for sale. If a product is junk, I'll tell you it's junk, even if it pays well. Your trust matters more than my margin.

Get In Touch

If you have questions about a specific injury, need advice on bracing options for your sport, or want to suggest a product for review, I actually read every email. Reach out anytime at info@musclemendhq.com. I usually respond within a couple of days—unless I'm taping ankles on a Saturday morning.

Questions? Reach us at info@musclemendhq.com