While the foam roller gets all the glory as a workout recovery tool, another device is worth mentioning the muscle roller stick.
You use the rod to roll out your tense muscles, and are available in extended lengths and material. Some muscle rollers have ridges for deep tissue massage, and the critical difference between the two is how you apply pressure.
With the foam roller, you use your body weight to roll out muscle tension while using your hands to apply pressure with the roller stick.
Furthermore, the muscle roller stick helps increase joint range for post-workout to help minimize sore muscles after working out.
On the other hand, you can also use it after your exercise to prevent muscle pain, allowing you to train the following day without feeling stiff.
Here we have selected some of the best muscle rolling sticks for you to look at with a FAQ section in the end. So are you ready to add one of the best recovery tools to your arsenal? Look at our roundup here!
Table List:
Best Muscle Roller Sticks Review
10. Idson Muscle Roller Stick for Athletes
With the muscle roller stick, you can apply the right amount of pressure by starting at the top and working it down. You can use it to ease sore muscles to help recover and reduce stiffness before and after workouts. The stick has a durable strength built to last with polypropylene handles and thermoplastic rubber.
Furthermore, it has nine independent ABS rollers on the steel core to provide a comfortable roll when used without hurting the skin. With the portable design, you can take it to the gym or triathlons. The stick is ideal for calves, back, hamstring, glutes, shoulders, and neck. So invest in the workout recovery tool without disappointment.
Muscle Roller Stick at a glance:
- Made with polypropylene handles and thermoplastic rubber
- Nine independent rollers on a steel rod core
- Measures 17.5 by 1.5-inches to fit into a kit bag
- Comes with a satisfaction guarantee
What we like:
- Way better to help with recovery time than using foam rollers
- You can apply the pressure yourself to control it
- Works well on different muscles from the shoulders to the calves
What we do not like:
- No faults found with a durable design to use a long time
9. Yansyi Muscle Roller Stick for Runners
With the muscle roller stick, you can use it to promote circulation to increase flexibility in the legs. Furthermore, it helps decrease cramps and is made with a perfect size to use on your legs. The handles are comfortable to provide a firm grip to apply as much or little pressure as needed.
The roller will not pull your leg hair and help prevent muscles’ knotting up. The design is compact to take anywhere with you. So get moving today, and do not let stiff muscles stop you from getting active.
Muscle Roller Stick at a glance:
- Good to use on the whole body
- Made with thermoplastic rubber and has polypropylene handles
- Designed with nine independent rollers of ABS with a steel rod core
- Measures 17.5” x 1.77” and weighs 11 ounces
What we like:
- Excellent follow up from customer service
- Does an excellent job for muscle relief
- Durable and travel-friendly design
- Great price
What we do not like:
- More suitable for leg massages than using on the back
8. Muscle Roller Stick for Newbies
The muscle roller stick has a clean and comfortable design to sit and roll out your muscles’ soreness. On the other hand, you can use it to warm up the muscles before your exercise or use it for a cool down.
The core has a stainless steel structure that will not break, covered with seven ABS knobbed roller beads. Furthermore, it does not squeak or bend when used to keep the blood flowing and comes with an unconditional guarantee.
Muscle Roller Stick at a glance:
- Clean and comfortable design
- Made with stainless steel core and covered with seven ABS knobbed roller beads
- Suitable to use on the neck, legs, and back
What we like:
- Helps relieve lower back pain
- Inexpensive and sturdy
- Comfortable to hold rubber grip handles
- Lightweight and transportable
What we do not like:
- No faults found and easy to use
7. PharMeDoc Muscle Roller Stick
Whether you need massage therapy to warm the muscles up or cool down, the muscle roller stick can help. The bar measures an 18-inch diameter with nine reinforced plastic gears to help trigger points instantly in your muscles. You can use it when doing any sports to yoga and running.
With the massage rollers’ help, it breaks up fascia to relieve your soreness and aids in faster recovery to get up and run again. The all-purpose design fits comfortably into your sports kit without taking up much space, and you can use it anywhere.
Muscle Roller Stick at a glance:
- Suitable for pre and post-workout
- 18-Inch diameter and compact for transporting
- Fitted with nine plastic gears for ease of use
- Comfortable handles and lightweight
What we like:
- Helps relieve lower back pain
- Less prone to pull hair and bare skin
- Affordable price and works well
What we do not like:
- Quality concerns with the design
6. TheStick Body Massage Tool
With the muscle roller stick, you get flexibility with the bendable core to treat a larger muscle area. The middle rod has 15 rotating spindles that work independently and measure 24-inches long. You can comfortably use it on your back to reach all pressure points.
With the massage stick, it helps to strengthen the muscles to prepare it for physical activity. On the other hand, you can use it to cool the muscles down after a workout to lessen the recovery time. So if you need a comprehensive workout recovery tool, this is the one to have.
Muscle Roller Stick at a glance:
- The bendable and flexible core of treating larger areas
- The rods surrounded by 15 rotating rollers
- Measures 24-inches long
What we like:
- A wonderful massager
- A total game-changer after hip surgery
- Does not pinch or catch your hair
What we do not like:
- Sometimes tricky to use it yourself
5. Supremus Sports Muscle Roller Stick
Use the self-myofascial release bar on the entire body to relieve muscle tension. You can use it to rehabilitate sore muscles to get rid of knots and increase blood circulation. With the portable design, you can pack it in your bag to take anywhere.
With the handheld design, it is easy to pinpoint specific areas of the body for pain relief. The handle has a non-slip structure for a comfortable grip without slipping. Between each roller is a 2mm gap to prevent pulling the hair.
Muscle Roller Stick at a glance:
- Compact handheld design with a comfortable grip
- Allows you to control the pressure applied
- Fits into a sports bag
- Made with a 2mm gap between each roller
- Money-Back Guarantee
What we like:
- Well made and worth the money
- Compact to take anywhere
- Helps work out knots in muscles
- Can use it yourself without help
What we do not like:
- No faults with the design, making it a great recovery workout tool to have
4. Doeplex Muscle Roller Stick with a Travel Size
Enjoy a deep tissue massage using the muscle roller stick from Doeplex. With the spinning rollers, it moves freely over your muscles to remove knots and pains. You can use it to warm up correctly or use it after your workout for a cool down to help with recovery time.
Furthermore, it helps if you are trying to lose weight during your exercise to banish cellulite and works with all body types. You can use it as needed, whether you exercise or in need of relieving tension in the back from sitting in front of your PC all day.
Muscle Roller Stick at a glance:
- Compact and comfortable to use, measuring 17.5-inches long
- Made with individual spinners that roll freely
- Durable design for pre and post-workout
- Knobs made of hard plastic
What we like:
- Great value
- Hard knobs allowing you to control the pressure
- Smart design and dimension for traveling
What we do not like:
- Does cause some pain at first but gets better
3. TriggerPoint STK Massage Stick
The massage roller stick has a portable design to do a self-massage anywhere as needed. The grid foam rollers move freely over the muscles to relieve tension and helps with recovery time. You can use it to target your large muscles or use them in specific areas.
You can use it standing, seated with the comfortable grip handles, and feels like a therapist’s thumb working over the body. The three-dimensional surface helps channel blood and oxygen to the tissue for mobility and improving health. The stick measures 21-inches in length with a diameter of 2.5-inches.
Muscle Roller Stick at a glance:
- Handheld compact design to use on different muscles
- Comfortable handle with a three-dimensional surface
- Measures 21-inches in length with a diameter of 2.5-inches
What we like:
- May feel like a painful experience but does wonders to roll out sore muscles
- Quality design and comfortable to use
- Compact to take anywhere
What we do not like:
- Some users found it uncomfortable to use
2. Gaiam Restore Massage Stick Roller
With the massage roller stick, you can target pressure points to increase blood circulation and alleviate the soreness in muscles. The massager stimulates tissue through tired muscles. With the nodules, it provides a deep massage and helps stretch muscles before a workout.
The handle provides a comfortable grip for better control, and the portable design makes it easy to take anywhere. The handheld roller measures 18-inches long with two handles on both ends and has three independent massage rolling balls.
Massage Rolling Stick at a glance:
- Made with spiked nodules for deep tissue massage
- Measures 18-inches in length with two grip handles
- Three independent massage balls
What we like:
- Comfortable to use
- Increases blood flow and gets things moving
- Big enough to cover a wide area of muscle groups
What we do not like:
- Can leave bruises and best to start slow with the rolling process
1. SKLZ Massage Bar Muscle Roller Stick
The KLZ is an excellent travel massage bar to take and use anywhere. There are two comfortable handles with a unique rod. Furthermore, it has a ball bearing that moves the center freely over your muscles. You get optimal pressure control with a consistent feel.
One thing is sure it will become your favorite travel companion with lightweight design. You can take it out of your bag to help with soreness, muscle tension, or recovery as needed. So give it a try with your pre and post-workouts today.
Muscle Roller Stick at a glance:
- Lightweight and compact for travelling
- Comfortable grip handles
- Unique rod with a ball bearing system
- Made with aeration lines for better circulation on the muscles
What we like:
- A unique roller that is long without separate rolling pieces
- Feels like using a foam roller
- Compact to fit in a sports bag
What we do not like:
- Best not to wedge it against the wall as the handle can break
Final Thoughts
We have come to the end of our muscle roller stick reviews. We hope that you were able to find a suitable one to use. Furthermore, we hope that the FAQ section helps to answer the questions you have as well. With the massage stick, you get the versatility to use it before and after your exercise to warm up and cool down the muscles. Each of the workout recovery sticks on the list come highly recommended by other users who have used it for a long time.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about Muscle Roller Stick
Now that you have looked at the muscle roller stick, you may have some questions that need answering. Here you can find some info on the most asked questions by new users.
The device works similarly to therapeutic tools as it provides myofascial release to trigger pressure points in the muscles. You can use it to warm up your muscles before exercising or use it as a cool down to make your muscles relax.
You can use it for two up to five minutes with a rest period of 30 seconds for the best results. You can do this for most muscle groups or until you feel the muscle release.
You can use it before exercising to help decrease muscle density as it helps promote an excellent warm-up. On the other hand, you can use it to lessen recovery time after working out your muscles.
As with any exercise, there is no gain of muscles if there is not pain. The same applies to massage your muscles as it hurts at first and relaxes after a while. We recommend you start slow without using too much pressure at first.
We recommend not using it on the elbows, ankles, joints, and knees. Try to avoid rolling the stick over these parts as the workout recovery tool you need to use over the muscles to increase flexibility and mobility.
Here are several things you can consider before investing in a massage therapy stick:
The stick’s surface – you will find some massage roller sticks that have a smooth surface while others have a spiky one or ribbed one. Here it comes down to your individual needs. If you have sensitive skin, using a massage stick with a smooth surface might be better for you to use.
How many rollers are on the stick – you can find the bar with one to up to 14 rollers available. We recommend you look at one with at least two to eight rollers for comfortable use.
Flexible or rigid – some of the therapy sticks you can find with a flexible or rigid core. You can treat a wider area with an adjustable centre while the rigid one offers you more trigger point massage.
What length do you need – yes, you can find the massage roller stick in different sizes, and it all depends if you want to take it with you to the gym. It helps to have one with a length of 18-inches to take with you anywhere for a standard size.
