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I just kicked off a new workout routine, and this $9 muscle roller is a godsend
Sore arms? Stiff legs? This is like a masseuse in stick form, and it'll help you make good on those fitness resolutions.
During the holidays, I spend a good chunk of my time eating baked goods, drinking champagne, cooking hearty meals and attending friends' parties instead of exercising. But the new year brings a newfound motivation to get moving, so this month, I decided to get back into a solid running and strength training routine. And let me tell you, my body is sore. I picked up a $9 Yansyi Muscle Roller Stick to help, and it's been a godsend for relieving stiff muscles, especially in my calves.
The Yansyi Muscle Roller Stick looks like a rolling pin you'd bake with but acts like a foam roller to gently massage knots and improve blood flow for faster recovery. However, instead of using your body weight to apply pressure like a foam roller, you use your hands to apply as much pressure as you want. It's especially helpful for loosening up your legs, but you can use it anywhere on the body you can reach.
Stretching and massage is an important part of any workout routine. Why? Well, the less sore you are after a workout, the more likely you are to stick to your routine — and the less likely you are to get hurt. You can't exercise with a pulled muscle!
Plenty of Amazon shoppers agree that this little roller is great too. More than 6,500 people give it a five-star rating.
"Amazing!" said one user. "I had never tried one before and decided to give it a try. Wow! It truly works the muscles that you are targeting and is so easy. ... I recommend it to everyone who works out, has sore muscles or wants to roll away the stress at any time. Convenient and a great price!"
Another fellow runner shared: "I walk and run a fair bit, and my legs get quite sore, especially my calves and shins that from time to time get shin splints. This muscle roller has helped out a great deal!"
If you have especially tight muscles, a quick roll can provide fast relief too. "My thigh and quad has been killing me from muscle soreness. I bought this and used it as soon as it showed up. Immediately relief! Very smooth rolling," said one customer.
One thing to note? The rolling area is made with plastic. "Amazing for legs — big fan!" said one four-star reviewer, adding that "it would be even better if the roller area was firm silicone instead of hard plastic."
Need a little extra relief? Tiger Balm is the best budget-friendly pain-relieving balm, according to the pros.
Get an immediate cooling effect followed by a warming sensation, thanks to ingredients like camphor and menthol.
If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
