RAD Roller and HELIX Review

There are so many options of foam rollers, self-massage tools, and vitamins that claim to help you recover faster or become more injury resistant.  They come in all shapes and sizes, cost anywhere from a little to a lot, and help to focus on different areas of your body.  I saw a roller called the HELIX from RAD Roller.  It had a very different shape than many of your typical foam rollers or sticks.  I was fortunate enough to be able to test out the HELIX and another product that they offer called the RAD Roller, their original product.

RAD Roller is based out of Boulder Colorado, one of the healthiest places in America.  Michael Mallory, a biomechanics specialist, and Dan McIntosh, a professional triathlete, came up with the idea to fill a void in the massage tool industry.  They wanted to create a massage tool that could be used on the back that would not put pressure on the bones in your back and neck.  This is a common complaint I have with almost every foam roller out there.  That is where the RAD Roller came into existence. 

After a short time, the RAD Roller was expanded from the original (blue) to a firmer model (black) and a softer model (green).  They look like two racquetballs that are attached in the center.  The balls dig into the areas along your spine in your neck and back, but the gap between the balls does not put pressure on the spine itself.  I have found that my back and neck are two areas where I really have to take care of because they are areas that I tend to be more injury prone. In fact, I have had neck pain off and on for years and after only a few weeks of using the RAD Roller, I have notice a significant reduction in neck pain.  All I have to say is WOW!!!

The HELIX is another great tool for unlocking stiffness in your neck and back and is also great for flushing out toxins from your muscles.  The HELIX is 12.5 inches long and 3 inches wide.  It only weighs one pound and is has a unique shape.  RAD Roller designed the HELIX shape to mimic the double helix, which are the building blocks of our bodies.  The design, like the RAD Roller, has a void in the center of the roller to ensure that you do not put pressure on your spine.  It doesn’t make sense to hurt yourself when you are trying to relieve stiffness does it? 

I have to say that I really like both the RAD Roller and HELIX.  I find that the RAD Roller can be used to work out knots and stiffness in almost any muscle.  It really gets into those muscles in ways that larger foam rollers cannot.  I tested the original RAD Roller and found that the stiffness was just right for me.  The HELIX is great for really working on your back and neck.  I found that it took a little while to get used to the smaller diameter because I was used to larger diameter foam rollers. Don’t let this scare you though.  The HELIX truly does work muscles in ways a traditional foam roller cannot. 

The main reason why they made their products the sizes that they do is to make sure that they are easy to pack for your family vacations or races out of town.  Try doing that with your 3 foot long foam roller. Click here for HELIX exercises. Click here for RAD Roller exercises.

Pros:

Great Prices

Can easily travel with you.

Can release tension and toxin in hard to reach areas

Multiple firmness options for the RAD Roller

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I am so glad that I stumbled across the RAD Roller and HELIX.  They are both amazing products that could really take your recovery and training to the next level.  You can pick up the RAD Roller for $24.99 and the HELIX for $49.00.   They are both available on the RAD Roller website and at Amazon.  They also offer kits that include multiple RAD Roller products.  Check them out and let me know what you think.

Note:  I received this product in exchange for a review.  The review is my personal opinion of the product and I was not required to give a particular opinion of it.  I am not a doctor, so please use all of the products that I review at your own risk.