Wednesday, October 28, 2009

The Stick, Foam Roller, or Recovery Socks?

If you had your choice in buying something to stay injury free, what would it be? The Stick? A foam roller? Recovery Socks? I want to invest in something to help me recovery more quickly and stay injury free but I'm not sure what. Any suggestions?

12 comments:

justme said...

well i have the stick and it is ok, but it hurts, my friend who is a trainer LOVES the foam rollers....and i have never tried the socks,but me wants them BAD

Tall Girl Running said...

I've never tried the stick or the recovery socks, but I am convinced my foam roller is the best running related piece of equipment I've ever bought... second only to a good pair of shoes.

Giggles said...

Part of the deal is that all three of those are best used for different reasons. The Stick is great for certain muscle groups. Foam rollers are good for other muscle groups. And recovery socks help for yet another reason. You'd probably be best to figure out what it is you are trying to help and then figure out which of those three will help.

I personally have a Stick and really like it. Used to excess it can hurt, but it really does get at those knots in my legs in a way nothing else does. I've even used it on my arms when I've spent too long on the computer.

foxontherun said...

The foam roller is the best thing out there!!!!!!!!

Croughwell said...

I have recovery socks and I love them but I would like to get a foam roller.

Keekee said...

I have always used a foam roller and I swear by them. They are the greatest thing to work on IT bands, glutes, etc. I am always rolling around on mine while I am watching tv- plus, my kids think it is a great toy :) I have also used a small "golf-ball" sized ball to pinpoint target areas such as in my hips,etc. I was tought by a Physical Therapist to lay on in and move around to get deep into the affected area to loosen up scar tissue,, etc. I swear, it kills but the pain is woth it, good luck!

amydear said...

I agree that it totally depends on what area you are trying to work, or keep injury-free. Out of these three, I've only tried the foam roller. It's good for core-strengthening exercises too.

KK @ Running Through Life said...

My vote is for the foam roller! Love that thing and can use it for so many places (back, hips, legs, etc).
Good luck with your choice!

Mrs. Spencer said...

I have all three and I think that all three are MUST HAVES!!!! The one I use the most-on a every day basis-is the Foam Roller. I roll out my IT band after every run...my PT told me to do it 4 times a day..but who really has that much time? My second favorite (but maybe the first after a LONG run) is the recovery socks. LOVE Them!! After my last marathon...I so gratefully put them on as soon as I got in the car and I told my husband that at that moment I would have paid $500 dollars for them. They calmed down my burning calves immediately..and I kept them on for the next several days. I also love the stick for working on smaller spots...I don't use it as much as the others though.

Laura said...

Wow what helpful responses! Thanks!

Will Murdoch said...

Foam roller is my all time favorite! It's like a massage, but not as painful as the stick, for your legs.

Robyn said...

Foam roller- those things work like magic. It's like having your own massage therapist there for you all the time. It gets to muscles you cannot stretch on your own. It was a huge factor for me in getting over IT Band Syndrome. Sounds like this is the winner anyway...