Muscle recovery, post-workout soreness, general stress and tension — a muscle roller stick is versatile enough to help with all of the aforementioned issues. But the very best muscle roller stick for you will depend on how intense of a massage you're looking for, and the biggest factor in intensity is going to be texture.
Not to be confused with foam rollers, muscle roller sticks feature a handle on either end and several individually rolling nodes, so you can manually work out the muscles on your legs, arms, back, neck, and more. Muscle roller sticks range from extra-smooth to extra-textured, and as you can probably imagine, the denser and more contoured the nodules, the deeper the massage. Especially if you're not used to it, these intense textures may hurt at first, so beginners might want to start with smoother textures — while experienced rollers could potentially jump straight to the more intense models. Whichever intensity you choose, your roller should be made from durable, resilient materials like ABS plastic and stainless steel. That way, you can apply the appropriate amount of pressure without having to worry about the roller breaking.
Another thing to consider is length. Most options are somewhere between 17 and 20 inches, and you'll want a stick long enough to suit your body yet short enough for ease of storage and portability. Also take into account which body part or parts you'll primarily be using it on.
From beginner to expert, here are the four best muscle roller sticks for each preferred intensity level from the most gentle to the most intense.
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