If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best yoga wheel for increased flexibility is, then I’d recommend the Chirp Yoga Wheel as the best one.
Are you looking for something that will help you to finally perfect a tricky yoga pose? Or are you searching for a piece of equipment that will help alleviate your back and shoulder pain?
If so, stretching wheels might be the best option for you.
We have gathered some of the top options on the market to help you find the best stretching wheel for your needs.
Here are the top yoga wheels we’ll be reviewing:
- Acumboility: The Ultimate Back Roller
- ATIVAFIT Sports Yoga Wheel
- Chirp Wheel+ Ultimate Back Pain Bundle
- Shogun Sports Yoga Wheel
- UpCircleSeven Yoga Wheel Set
What is a Stretching Wheel?
Stretching wheels are commonly associated with yoga. They are a more versatile version of a yoga block, allowing you to use them to deepen stretches or support some of your weight in difficult poses.
You can increase your flexibility range and build up muscle strength and stability by relying on a stretching wheel.
They can be used as stabilizing equipment that curves along your back, or you can use them to increase your balance by performing inversion poses on its rims.
The wheel features a hard inner core covered with a soft outer padding. It can bear your body’s weight without bending, allowing you to safely perform tricky yoga poses with an added security net.
Stretching wheels are a great tool for those who are just getting into yoga. They can support your weight until you are ready to do more advanced poses without assistance.
Additionally, they can help you deepen your stretches to increase your flexibility.
Their lightweight designs also make them an ideal option to stash in a gym bag to bring to your yoga classes.
In addition to being used in yoga, stretching wheels can also be optimized for spinal care and massage therapy.
Some stretching wheels are specially designed to alleviate back pain by taking pressure off the spine as you roll out tight back, shoulder and neck muscles.
How is a Stretching Wheel Used?
The best stretching wheel can be used to help you perfect a variety of yoga poses and massage aching muscles.
The most common way stretching wheels are used is to massage and support your back. You can roll up and down your back to soothe aching muscles, or you can lean back into a deep stretch.
Yoga poses such as the Easy Pose and the Fish Pose require spinal flexibility that can be increased by using stretching wheels.
You can distribute your weight more evenly and achieve deeper stretches when utilizing this type of equipment.
Stretching wheels can also be used to prop up your feet and arms to achieve deeper stretches.
Child’s Pose can be deepened by elevating your arms and stretching your shoulders farther back.
You can also prop up your foot on a stretching wheel to deepen your Lizard Lunge to stretch out your quads and hip flexors further.
The wheel can also be turned on its rim to provide you with a counterbalanced platform.
It will help you learn precise hand placement and increase your balance when used with difficult inversion poses.
Is a Stretching Wheel Right for You?
If you are just beginning your fitness training or you’re experiencing back or shoulder pain, stretching wheels might be a good fit for you.
They can be used at-home for yoga training to help your muscles learn how to support yourself in new poses.
They can also give you an added sense of balance and safety as you work up to more skillful poses.
Stretching wheels are also ideal for helping you to increase your flexibility.
You can achieve deeper stretch positions when you prop your arms or legs on top of the cylinder, and you can safely train your back to curve and bend more naturally.
They also can relieve back and shoulder pain due to their soft padding and rounded frame.
Stretching wheels work in the same manner that foam rollers do, relying on your body weight to press and roll across a rounded surface.
The advantage of stretching wheels is they are specifically designed to alleviate back pain.
Some stretching wheels even feature an indentation in the middle to allow your spine to rest comfortably while your back receives massage therapy as you roll out tight muscles.
If you are looking to finally perfect a tricky yoga pose or simply relieve some of your back pain, stretching wheels might be your best option.
Factors to Look for in Stretching Wheels
Style
You’ll want to search for a stretching wheel that fits your sense of style. Since you can bring it to yoga classes or the gym, you’ll want one that looks and feels good.
Price
Stretching wheels can vary in price and quantity. Some wheels only come in sets of three, while others are only sold separately.
You should consider how many wheels you are getting with your purchase as you factor in how much you would like to spend.
Strength
You should also consider your body type when searching for a stretching wheel. The amount of weight they can support varies between styles and companies.
Make sure to check how much weight a stretching wheel can bare before purchasing it.
Padding
The type and amount of padding should also be a determining factor when deciding which stretching wheel to buy.
The best stretching wheel padding can resist water and sweat stains and repel lingering body odors.
You should check how thick the padding is and what type of material it is made from before making your final decision.
Size
You should also consider what size you will need. Most people prefer a 12-inch stretching wheel, which allows you to comfortably massage your back or perform basic yoga poses.
However, stretching wheels can come in different sizes ranging from 6-15 inches in diameter and 5-7 inch widths.
You should consider what muscle groups you would like to target or what yoga poses you hope to master before picking your stretching wheel’s size.
Best Stretching Wheel Reviews
Finding the best stretching wheel for your needs doesn’t have to be difficult! If you’re feeling overwhelmed, refer to our list below of some high quality stretching wheels to look into further.
Acumboility: The Ultimate Back Roller
The Acumboility: The Ultimate Back Roller features raised therapeutic bumps to provide you with a deep tissue massage.
Its design incorporates a spine gap that allows your muscles to be loosened by the bumpy pattern without putting pressure on your spine.
The wheel’s shape and texture were created by chiropractic specialists to increase your spine’s mobility and flexibility.
The company recommends that new users insert a towel between their back and the wheel’s bumps for the first two weeks to allow your back to become accustomed to the feel of the massaging bumps.
The Acumboility stretching wheel is great for those who are searching for a piece of equipment that is comfortable and functional.
The wheel’s EVA molded foam surface prevents you from feeling the hard inner core as you roll across the protruding bumps to loosen stiff muscles.
The wheel is incredibly strong and versatile. Its 11.5 X 7.5-inch measurements are capable of supporting 1,000 pounds.
Its strength makes this product available to a larger range of body types, enabling it to be used by anyone.
The wheel is also versatile and travel friendly, allowing you to use and carry your new fitness equipment easily.
Pros
- Therapeutic bump pattern
- Spine gap
- Can hold up to 1000 pounds
Cons
- Bumps can be uncomfortable for new users
- Chiropractic design is not ideal for workouts
- Bumps wear down quickly
ATIVAFIT Sports Yoga Wheel
The ATIVAFIT Sports Yoga Wheel is built from eco-friendly material that helps you to improve your stability and balance.
The padding is made from TPE, a material that is durable, strong, safe and odorless. It also resists sweat and dirt stains.
You can bring your stretching wheel to your yoga classes without worrying about lingering stains or body odors clinging to the wheel’s fabric.
The wheel’s padding also protects you from the tough ABS inner core. Its core can withstand up to 220 pounds of pressure before flexing or breaking.
Its strength is backed by a lifetime risk-free guarantee.
This product is also available in three sizes: 12-inch, 10-inch, and 5-inch options.
The 12-inch wheel is ideal for most stretches or yoga poses. The 10-inch option is designed for more targeted massages and helps to open up the back and hip flexors.
Deep tissue massages on smaller areas of the body are best approached while using the 5-inch wheel.
Pros
- 3 wheels included
- Odor and dirt resistant
- Includes yoga pose packet
Cons
- Padding is compact and hard
- Edges are not padded
- Narrow width
Chirp Wheel+ Ultimate Back Pain Bundle
The Chirp Wheel+ Ultimate Back Pain Bundle is the only stretching wheel that has been certified as a 510(k) Medical Device by the FDA.
This is the best stretching wheel for those looking for pain-relieving fitness equipment.
It is recommended by doctors to help you relieve back and shoulder pain. Its pressure-sensitive design enables you to take pressure off your spine as you roll out your tightened muscles.
A Spinal Canal cuts through the wheel’s outer layer, leaving a groove where your backbone can rest.
The spine can relax and be brought back into alignment while the nearby muscles are loosened and rolled out.
The frame’s five-inch width is specifically designed to fit between your shoulder blades to loosen all of your back and shoulder muscles effectively.
It also features an injection-molded rigid core that is capable of supporting users up to 500 pounds.
This product is also available in three sizes to fit your stretching and massaging needs.
The large frame is ideal for you if you are looking to crack your back and align your spine safely.
The medium wheel works best for upper and lower back stretches, while the smallest size is designed for targeted massages near the neck and other hard to reach places.
Pros
- FDA approved
- Spinal Canal
- 3 sizes available
Cons
- Narrow width
- Initially uncomfortable
- Short warranty
Shogun Sports Yoga Wheel
Shogun Sports, a company owned and operated by US Veterans, produces stretching wheels that are ideal for beginners and those new to yoga.
The Shogun Sports Yoga Wheel comes with a stretching and yoga pose guide to aide you in learning how to use your wheel properly.
Its design makes it easy to use to help you learn how to balance and increase your strength so that you can finally master that new pose.
It can specifically help you to master handstands due to its counterbalance system.
You can quickly find your center of balance and begin building up and harnessing the right muscle groups to help you stay inverted for longer periods.
Its TPE eco-friendly padding is ¾ inches thick to provide you with comfortable support. The wheel’s material is resistant against moisture, skidding and germs. It also protects against musty and sweaty odors.
The wheel features an ABS inner core that is capable of handling up to 500 pounds. This product is also available in three sizes that can accommodate your stretching needs.
Pros
- Includes yoga pose guide
- Moisture and odor resistant
- Effectively cracks and soothes tight backs
Cons
- Padding seams are prone to breaking
- Padding is hard
- Too wide to fit between shoulder blades
UpCircleSeven Yoga Wheel Set
The UpCircleSeven Yoga Wheel Set is a good fit for any level of fitness.
This stretching wheel comes in a set of three, enabling you to tackle every yoga pose. It also includes a PDF file that teaches you various levels of yoga poses.
Beginners can learn how to use a yoga wheel, while more advanced practitioners can begin tackling more difficult poses.
The UpCircleSeven wheel has eight millimeters of padding, making it the most thickly padded stretching wheel on the market.
It aims to comfortably support you as you begin your yoga journey and can give you confidence to try harder poses.
It features water and sweat resistant materials that prevent odor build-up. Its core is durable and strong, enabling it to withstand up to 550 pounds of pressure.
Pros
- Moisture and odor resistant
- Comfortable padding
- Includes 3 wheels
Cons
- Weak seams
- Glue can be seen
- Long hair can get caught in material
And the Winner is…
The best stretching wheel from our roundup is the Chirp Wheel+. It is the only FDA approved stretching wheel on the market.
It has a spinal groove that takes the pressure off your spine while you roll out might muscles across your shoulders and back.
Its five-inch frame fits perfectly between your shoulder blades to allow you to roll from your hips to your neck without interruption.
Its core is extremely durable and capable of supporting 500 pounds, enabling virtually anyone to use it.
The Chirp Wheel also comes in three sizes to accommodate your needs and help you achieve a more healthy and enjoyable lifestyle.
