There are a lot of cool things out there that make us wonder — do they really work? In our I Tried It series, we set out to use them in the real world and have determined that, in fact, they really do.
On Trial: The Chirp Wheel, a deeper, more targeted alternative to foam rollers that offers serious spinal relief
Tester: Zarah Kavarana, Shark Tank enthusiast with chronic upper back pain
The Brief: As a lifelong back pain sufferer, I've always relied on foam rollers to provide quick cracking relief. In fact, I own three, but no matter how religiously I roll, I never seem to receive the long-term relief I desperately need. I recently learned that foam rollers may not be the ultimate solution to my chronic aches, so I searched for a product that was better at targeting trouble areas.
As a replacement, I found the now famous Chirp Wheel on Shark Tank that takes this same self-rolling concept, but integrates it into an elevated yoga-wheel-like form, giving you the freedom to add a pretty substantial stretch. Its slim, spine-hugging shape digs deep into the muscles between your shoulder blades for a feel that's much more gentle than a trigger-point massage, but offers similar relief from the stiffness that can stifle your daily function and flow.
The brand claims that regular use can help improve strength, flexibility, and balance, giving your muscles the tools they need to hold up against severe strain and reduce the chance of injury.
"Crack addicts" will particularly love how the Chirp Wheel is designed to produce more satisfying pops than a traditional foam roller. For an extra-deep myofascial release, an indented, hollowed out groove at the wheel's center (which the brand cleverly calls its Spinal Canal) stretches your muscles four ways to apply more pressure around your spine — instead of on it, the way a foam roller does.
Chirp's bubble wrap test hilariously and effectively demonstrates how the device defeats a foam roller, if audible cracks are all you're after.
The wheel comes in three sizes: a gentle 12-inch option for your upper and lower back, a transitional 10-inch size for medium pressure, and a deep-tissue 6-inch option for neck and posture correction. You can purchase a set of three for full versatility, or as I recommend, opt for an individual wheel to suit your specific needs.
While I did try all three sizes, I personally found myself most frequently reaching for the largest 12-inch option. Its height and surface area allowed me to comfortably get in a satisfying pop-filled stretch, and my back felt fully relaxed after a few rolls — as if I'd just completed a hardcore hour-long yoga sesh.
The 6-inch wheel is great for getting into super tight spots, but it's about the size of a foam roller, so it lacks the height you need to fully extend your spine. I viewed the 10-inch option as more of a learning tool to help me feel comfortable with the larger 12-inch size. Its high height makes it hard to stay balanced, so starting small and building up is perhaps the way to go if you want to avoid potential aches and injury.
Closing Argument: The Chirp Wheel takes everything you know and love about a foam roller to the next level with a strategic slim design that concentrates pressure to the area where you need it the most — the muscles around your spine. More intense, satisfying pops and added height for stretching will make your back feel refreshed after rolling, and with frequent, long-term use, can improve muscle strength and flexibility.
Read More:
This Spiky Massage Ball Helps My Sore Shoulders
The Theragun Liv Is Like a Jackhammer to My Tense Muscles
This Soothing Heated Neck Wrap Provides Instant Relief From Pain
Follow BestProducts.com on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest!
