How The Stick Is Different From The Foam Roller

OK… It is not my intention to be controversial, but soooo many people have asked me ” How is The Stick different from a foam roller?”  I will attempt to give the facts as I see them.

I would like to start off by saying that any product you use to enhance your well-being is a good product.  If you like it and it is doing the job you are looking for… then it is a good fit for you.  Many people use multiple products for different applications.  Every person is different based on body composition, level of activity, pain thresholds, mobility and so on.  An individual needs to keep in mind why they are using the product in the first place and what they are using the product for?  If you are using the product because you think everyone else is, then you are not using the product for the right reasons.  Needless to say, I like to live by the saying “If it is not broken, don’t fix it!”  It is OK to tweak things a bit!

With all this in mind, please understand that I am open minded enough to know that there are fantastic products out there that claim and probably do have the same benefits of The Stick.  I am in no way slamming anyone who uses the foam roller.  OK…. here are some of my answers to how The Stick is different from the foam roller:

1. You can use The Stick anywhere @ anytime.
2. The Stick is fully portable.
3. The Stick is waterproof.
4. The Stick travels better as it is smaller.
5. There are many different models of Sticks to suite each individual and if need be – body part.
6. The Stick can be used in any position.
7. The Stick allows you to fully concentrate on the body part you are working on.
8. You do not need to get on the floor to use The Stick.
9. The Stick has a smaller surface area for pinpoint accuracy.
10. You do not need to use your body weight on The Stick.
11. The Stick  is able to contour to your muscles.
12. The Stick has movable spindles which help to massage your muscles, not squish them.
13. You can use The Stick on a friend.
14. You can apply a very wide range of pressures to the body part when you use The Stick.
15. You can (with great ease) massage your entire body from one position with The Stick.
16. The Stick has many applications in the health care and animal field!

Wow… I even surprised myself!  By the way… we own and do use foam roller on occasion!  I also teach athletes and sports medicine students how to use the foam roller.

Please remember one thing….. you do not need to hurt your muscles to help them!  The Stick is simply a tool that all age groups regardless of fitness or body type can use.  In fact, we like to refer to The Stick as a Toothbrush for Muscles!

Using The Stick in Cold Weather

Since I live in an area in Alberta, Canada where there has been a substantial amount of snowfall and cold weather this year, I decided to experiment a little with The Stick as a warm-up and cool-down tool in cold weather.  Here are some relevant Stick tips.

Here is what we know already about The Stick as a warm-up/cool-down tool:

• A typical warm-up for healthy muscle tissue is about 20 progressively deeper passes over each muscle group (about 30 seconds per area).
• By warming up muscles for exercise, the muscles are becoming stimulated and ready to perform by increasing the blood flow to that muscle group.
• A typical cool-down for healthy muscle tissue is about 20 progressively deeper passes over each muscle group (about 30 seconds per area).
• By cooling down muscles after exercise, muscles are permitted to slowly return to their resting state and blood pooling will be reduced.  Soreness and stiffness can be diminished with a proper cool-down, leading to  increased recovery for the next time training takes place.  Never mind allowing your heart to recover.

Here is what I have been doing:

1. Rolling over my legs (one leg @ a time) in my house, starting with quads, then hamstrings, then calves.
2. Switching legs
3. Lower back/Upper Back
4. A little on the arms.
5. Going out for a run in the cold/snow.
6. Light stretching on thet front step of my house.
7. Repeating steps 1-4 in my house.
8. Stretching my lower back with the Posture Curve!

My findings have been very impressive.  I feel fantastic!  Due to the fact that I warm-up with The Stick, my muscles are prepared for exercise without expending energy.  This is a real benefit since the cold and snow already zap a lot of energy to begin with.  I can start my run right away without spending extra time outside “warming-up”.  My muscles are primed and ready to go.

You may notice that when you do exercise outside that your muscles due become stiff and cold even though you are exercising.  This is really apparent when your done your workout.  Typically your legs are a little cold and stiff.  This is where The Stick is even more impressive.  By rolling over your muscles, you actually are speeding up circulation by bringing blood flow to the area you are rolling.  Your legs actually warm-up a little at the same time you are flushing out the lactic acid that has built up from your training session.

Needless to say, The Stick is amazing!!

P.S.- My wife, who is the real runner, loves using The Stick too!!

P.S.S – These same results will work for your pets and horses!!

Why The Stick?

There are many, many, many fitness and wellness products out there!  In fact, there a loads of products that promise and offer the same benefits and results as The Stick.  The logical question is “Ok, which one is right for me?”  My opinion is The Stick!

Please do not get me wrong.  The other products on the market are valuable and may also do the job!  Here a 10 simple facts about The Stick:

1. It is so easy to use!
2. You can use it anywhere.
3. You can take it anywhere.
4. You can use it in virtually any position, as long as your muscle is relaxed!
5. You can get it wet, drop it in the mud or snow and it will still work!
6. You do not need a mat.
7. You do not need a plug in.
8. It is light and very versatile.
9. It massages your muscles, not crushes them.
10. The Stick was created and developed with University Scientific Studies!

In addition to the 10 points above, the cost of a Stick is very attractive as well.  The average massage therapist charges around $50.00 for one session.  In my opinion, this is very reasonable and there is nothing on the market that can replace the hands, knuckles and elbows of a human.  Let’s face it, the human touch has been proven time and time again to heal!  The average cost of a Stick is around $40.00.  The difference is, you can use The Stick 3 times a day if you want!!!!

So, I think you can agree that nothing can replace the human touch, but I can attest that The Stick just could be the next best thing!!

Click here to find a Stick that is right for you!

Have a great day!!

 

Taking care of yourself or others.

What does health mean to you?  Is it the way you feel?  Is it the way others see you?  Is health a state of being or is it just a measure of you life expectancy?  I heard one funny saying that explains health “as the speed in which one can age or how long they will live or the rate of when they would die.”  However you view your health, I am sure you think of many factors that influence your own personal health or the health of your loved ones and friends.

What do you do to maintain a level of health that allows you to perform daily activities efficiently and effectively?  Do you eat well?  Do you get enough sleep?  Do you exercise on a daily basis?  How is your oral health?  One of the most important question in today’s society is how is your mental health?  What do you do to relieve stress?  Your answers to these questions are personal, but you should do a  self-check every once and awhile!!

I would like you to think about massage for a moment.  Mostly everyone knows you can go for a massage.  What if you could save a load of time and money and massage yourself?  This is known as Self-Massage.  You would feel better, be less stressed, stimulate your circulatory system, and relax more.  These are only a few fringe benefits of performing self-massage.  What about the time and effort that you put into yourself?  That is a true investment!

The Stick can do all this and more for yourself.  I encourage you to read more articles I have posted on this blog.