TriggerPoint STK Handheld Massage Stick

I used to run and have had a problem with my calves muscles (esp. anterior tibialis) for years. The muscles get very tight and hard, and I read that it's due to muscle weakness and overuse. I noticed certain areas are sore as soon as I started rolling. I’ve been using this in addition to [TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller Original (13-inch)] on my calves about 3-5 times a week, and I've already noticed an improvement in my symptoms after about a month.I tried the Performance GRID STK Handheld Foam Roller Regular Density (since doesn't roll smoothly, hard to exert pressure and roll at the same time) and the travel edition (the pointy massage roller poke uncomfortably), but for my calves, this was the best. It rolls smoothly. The rollers are made of foam that doesn't have much give (it's much harder than the GRID roller foam). The design makes it easy to get the muscle area right next to the shin bone without rolling over the bone. The roller does bend a little bit, but not a lot, which is good because you can exert as much pressure as you'd like.I've also used on other muscle groups (upper legs, forearms). The shoulder is a bit tricky, but when you are able to stabilize the roller, it works very well (just be careful as the handle can leave a black mark on the wall).

Very comfortable grips, smooth rolling action, excellent muscle massager

This product has been a game changer for me. It is easy to use and very well made. I use my foam roller much less frequently. I use it extensively on my quads, hamstrings, and my calves.

I bought this Trigger Point Massage Stick after having used the one at my PT for 2 years after 2 knee replacement surgeries. Now that I'm near graduating from ongoing PT, time to get the equipment that helped my recovery most for my home gym. Before I used this stick, I used a swivel roller stick to rub out adhesions from my muscles and other soft tissues. That product, which I still own and use, is complementary to this stick. The main reasons why: 1) It's much easier to grip this stick to stop the rolling motion which adds to the "pulling" of your tissues to aid stretching, 2) the knobby protrusions really do feel like your PT's fingers, 3) the handle offers another way to dig into your tissues. Overall, it's the application of friction on your skin and tissues that has a totally different impact to your recovery. The stick, at 21", is a little too big for air travel or most carry on bags. And since I have used it during this crazy COVID time, the materials have tolerated continuous and repeated exposure to industrial strength sanitizers. The rubbers and plastic have not suffered in the least. I love this stick and highly recommend it.

Very useful for rubbing out those muscle knots and kinks in those hard to reach areas. I've used it on my calves, thighs, and neck, and it works well. It's not as hard as another stick I have, which I like. Also, unlike that same other stick, it has held up without breaking.The only thing I don't like is the shape of the rubbing surface. I prefer the smoother round surface. The 'knobs' on this kind of hurt my delicate muscles. Maybe I'm just a baby, but that's my preference.

My wife bought this to work out tightness in her calves and thighs. She moans and groans, but said it has given her relief.

I purchased this device as a self-massage and myofascial release for calf pain from running. Like all other TriggerPoint products, it is well constructed from excellent foam and plastic. If I have a single complaint, the rubber on the handles is a tiny bit rough on the hands, but this is definitely not a deal breaker.I chose this over their other styles (such as the grid roller) because it can be used while seated in a chair. I find this much more convenient than pulling out a mat to roll around on.Within one use, I can already feel stiff muscles springing back to life. I'm already contemplating buying a second one to keep in the office.I highly recommend watching the training videos on the company's website, they are informative and helpful. I just wish there were more of them with more scientific info in addition.

I really wanted to like this roller. I bought two different rollers, this one is by far the best constructed. In fact I surely thought I'd prefer this stick but I've found it only mildly useful. If you have ANY body hair, it'll find it and it'll pull like crazy. I'm a guy so yeah, I have hair on my legs.I needed it for hamstring work for baseball and hockey but I find this massage stick almost useless unless I'm wearing some tight-fitting clothing. Even then it'll often tangle with my compression shorts, tights or sliding shorts when you really try to dig in to loosen the muscles. I've tried every angle and then some so I can sometimes get it to work well enough but to me it's ineffective.I'll sometimes tolerate the pain since I like the handle design of this one much better, but if I have both sticks available, the other roller will get the nod. The other roller (similar to the PROCIRCLE Massage Stick) has little individual hard plastic roller pieces that can move independently and are MUCH better for areas of the body that have hair. Nor does it tangle with clothing -- for me, I prefer the other stick.