Gear Review: The Stick
It’s well documented that massage therapy helps athletes recover from workouts but daily, or even weekly, massages are more than most people can afford. The Stick is here to help.
I had seen The Stick at several marathon and triathlon expos, and even tried it out a couple of times, but I never thought it was worth the money ($30-50). I always figured a baseball bat or something similar would work just as well. It doesn’t.
The Stick works so well because of the sticky grips and rolling spindles. It’s made of a space-age plastic that bends around the muscles, providing a complete and effective massage. Use it both before and after a workout. Pre-workout, it warms up the muscles and prepares them for the challenge ahead. Post-workout, it helps with recovery and relieves muscle pain.
Recently, I used The Stick prior to a weekend long run and it was the best run I’ve had in a long time. Normally, it takes me about 2 miles to get warmed up and find my rhythm. After using The Stick, I was warmed up and in my rhythm in less than a mile. This may not be a huge concern for runs over 5 miles but anything shorter than that and The Stick is a huge benefit.
A personal trainer friend of mine recommends using it prior to exercise and then waiting 2 hours after exercise to use it again. Also be sure to drink plenty of water as you would after massage therapy. It will help flush out the toxins released from your muscles.
Overall, I highly recommend this product for all athletes and particularly those who suffer from sore and/or tight muscles.