Disclaimer: I received an Addaday massage roller to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!"
As I slowly countdown to Dopey Challenge training (13 days to go), I am really excited about testing this product to aid in my recovery for what is going to be a challenging training adventure. While I have a foam roller, it is a pain (literally) to use and doesn't lend itself to easy rolling. The Addaday massage roller (http://www.addaday.com/) is a portable, handheld device that doesn't require lying down after runs.
Out the package
The massager comes simply packaged as one piece, no assembly required. It's really light and easy to put in the car, especially if you travel for runs.
Why Roll?
After runs, I am so bad about not stretching or rolling because I forget and I really dread the foam roller. As a result, my legs feel like knots for a few hours afterwards. As I get ready to take on 48 miles in four day, I have to be more intentional in my recovery efforts.
My roll
I tested the roller after running 3, 6, and 9 miles. I typically don't have muscle issues after running a 5k, but I thought it would be fun to test it anyway. I felt the most relief after running 6 and 9 miles. My muscles felt better than they have in the past. It was easy to use on the front and back of my calves and thighs. The day after both long runs, I had no pain my legs
The verdict
I will definitely incorporate the Addaday message roller in my recovery routine after long runs. I would also recommend it all runners and anyone who needs to stretch their muscles after a workout.