Foam Roller vs The Stick (Read 4216 times)

I've heard good things about using them so I'm thinking about getting one or the other. I haven't really stared doing any research yet, so I figured I'd start here. What are the pros and cons of each? Is one better than the other for certain things? Any other thoughts? Thanks in advance.

I can't comment on the foam roller. Here's my $.02 on The Stick... I've used The Stick for 1.5 years now, and in my opinion it's the best $30 I have spent for running and general well-being. I purchased it on the recommendation of a triathlete friend who swore by it to relieve his trigger point pain. I had been suffering from what I believed to be trigger point pain, as well as soreness and tightness n my calves. I use The Stick every day for calves, quads and hamstrings, whether I run or not. It takes a couple of minutes (literally) and I have not had any issues related to trigger point pain or the tightness/soreness I was experiencing since I began using it. It feels really strange the first few times, but once you get accustomed to the process, it gives a really good deep massage for your muscles. When you do your research, you'll see that you can use The Stick for all muscles groups, and once or twice a week my wife will help roll my back and arms. The only thing The Stick folks warn against is using it over bony prominences, like shins. Try it once and you'll find out why. That's not what it's built for, though. It's for deep tissue massage, and I think it works great. Good luck with whichever method you choose.

I have a foam roller and the stick. The foam roller is by far my favorite. Works great for the piriformis, ITB and hamstrings.. The stick, I find, to be utterly useless. I get a better self massage on my calves by laying on my back, bending one knee and rubbing the other sore calf on the knee. Or just as good is a rolling pin and it works much better for the shins too.

the foam roller pretty much ended shin splints for me with regular use. Just like anything else though, you have to be careful and not roll tight muscles. I always roll after the run, and if in pain, after a long hot bath works wonders also. I find I can go a while without having to repeat sessions, but I am back to rolling them regularly, as I am increasing mileage, and Long Slow Distance miles will tighten up your lower leg muscles. You can pick them up fairly cheap online. Great Investment.

I like the foam roller better. But specific to The Stick... I don't really like my The Stick. My The Stick tends to grab my The Hair on my The Legs. Yuck. So I bought a Tiger Tail instead. Same idea, but one flexible rolling surface without the pinchy things in the middle. The Stick and Tiger Tail have one distinct advantage over my foam roller: portability. I can take my Tiger Tail on trips with me. The foam roller not so much.

Thanks for all the replies and info. Sorry JVol, but I've decided to go with the foam roller. I like that it uses my body weight instead of just my arm strength, like Blaine said. Also there are a bunch of videos out on YouTube for exercies to do with it but I only found a few for the stick. My next question is what size should I get? I'm kind of looking at the GoFit ones on Amazon, but there isn't much logic behind why. They come in 18 or 36 inches. I'm 6'5" and weigh about 175 if that matters. Thanks!

Thanks for all the replies and info. Sorry JVol, but I've decided to go with the foam roller.

Hey, no problem at all. To each his/her own, and I hope it works for you. I've also checked out some Youtube videos on the foam roller, and I may check it out. It never hurts to have more than one tool in the old toolbox, right?

I had to google foam roller and images to get an idea, as I've never heard of it. I do have the stick. This came up as the first image. I may "stick" with the stick.