Wednesday, November 30, 2016

YogaDev Yoga Wheel: Review & Giveaway

As a typical runner, I tend to focus my fitness on things that will improve my running, namely, running. 😃

But as my physical therapist, orthopedic doc, and family doctor all lecture tell me, I have to incorporate some low-impact activity into my weekly routine. Specifically, yoga has been known to help runners significantly as it helps restore flexibility and strength into muscles that assist in running.

Over the years, I have dabbled in some at-home yoga practice. It's not been something I have done regularly, but it's something that I am making a priority moving forward; mainly because I keep getting injured.

So, it was a pleasant surprise when YogDev reached out to me a few weeks ago and offered to send me a yoga wheel to review on my blog- and sponsor a giveaway so I can give one to my readers! Contest information is at the end of this review.




So, what is a yoga wheel? It is a tool used in yoga, similar to a yoga block, that can assist in different poses, stretches, and strengthening exercises. I had never used one before so it was a little intimating when I pulled it out of the box.

It came with a little cheat sheet of poses that you can do with your yoga wheel. The first night I got my new wheel, in my infinite wisdom, I decide that I'm going to try and do a super-advanced pose and try to balance on top of this hard plastic wheel.

You can guess what happened- I totally bit it. Let me caution you with this- if you're not a professional yogi, don't try "garland" (pictured above) as your first pose with a yoga wheel. 😉

After learning what not to do with a yoga wheel, I checked out YogDev's pose guide online for some instructional videos on how to properly use the wheel as a beginner. I also found this YouTube gem that gave me some cool strengthening moves to check out.

I pulled together a few of the poses, stretches, and exercises to make a routine for myself focusing on my hips and hamstrings. One of the things I loved about using the wheel is that I can modify some of my favorite moves (like a single-leg bridge) using the wheel to balance instead of using a large stability ball. With as much as we travel, this yoga wheel is way more portable than a stability ball and I felt like I got a better workout using the wheel because I had to use more of my muscles to balance.

The smile disappears when the move gets intense! 

I also was able to do a modified single-leg squat coupled with a hamstring stretch (see above) and use the wheel in a controlled rolling motion. It was a pretty effective move and I love how using the wheel allowed me to add some extra stretch and balance to a single-leg squat.

The other benefit I found to using the wheel was being able to access some really restorative stretches and poses. Using this in a modified bridge pose, it was amazing how good it felt to get some release across the top of my back/in between my shoulder blades- that's where I carry all my stress. And the calf stretch pictured below is just what I needed after the longer runs of this marathon training cycle.

If I look uncomfortable, it's because I am. Need. More. Yoga.

Overall, I really enjoyed incorporating the YogDev Yoga Wheel into my fitness routine. I hope to keep using it and maybe one day I'll nail the "garland"- and I'll be sure to upload a picture for proof! This product is definitely well-made, comes in multiple fun colors, and has a great website with lots of information on how to use this appropriately in your yoga practice. All in all, I think it's pretty cool.

Want one of your own? Check out the rafflecopter below for your chance to win! Tweet every day between now and 12/7/16 for more chances. Winners will be notified via email on the morning of 12/7/16 and will have 48 hours to respond to claim the wheel.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclaimer: YogDev provided me with a free yoga wheel to review on this blog. I did not receive compensation in exchange for this review. As always, all opinions are on my own.


Have you ever used a yoga wheel or similar fitness product? What's your favorite piece of fitness equipment?


26 comments:

  1. I've seen these all over insta and am so curious about them!

    I love my foam roller but think this would be a great addition!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's definitely similar to a foam roller but because it's bigger, it allows for some different stretches. Just that simple calf stretch above felt really intense- more than they typical stretching I do- which is exactly what I need after all the abuse my legs take during marathon training!

      Delete
  2. Love my resistance band. very versatile! This yoga wheel looks awesome!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think this is going to be versatile for me as well! :-)

      Delete
  3. My favorite piece of workout equipment is probably my home hand weights. Having them at home makes it easy to get some strength training done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YES! Mine sit near my tv so I can do some workouts while watching my favorite shows!

      Delete
  4. I've been wanting to try this wheel out! Currently my favorite piece of equipment is my dog 😂 we go on walks together.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's awesome! Koda gets winded after a mile so we don't do much walking with him :-)

      Delete
  5. I love my weighted hula hoop! It's fun work out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. oooooh, I've never tried one of those! I'll have to check it out!

      Delete
  6. Replies
    1. I have one that I love too- I need to use it more often!

      Delete
  7. I've always wanted a wheel! My favorite right now is my wedge.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooh that sounds interesting! I need to invest in more yoga props!

      Delete
  8. I'm not sure this qualifies as equipment, but I love my Flip Belt. Seriously the best thing ever for running and racing. I've even used it for travel ✌🏼️

    ReplyDelete
  9. I like some good ole' dumbbells! I keep seeing the yoga wheel on Instagram and am super interested in trying it out!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love my kettle bells and my foam rollers! Gotta get strong and gotta roll out after those crazy long runs.

    ReplyDelete
  11. My yoga strap for stretching. For beginning yoga especially, you gotta find ways to modify the poses. I'd love to try the wheel!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love my Irish dance shoes (ghillies)!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love anything that helps me stretch my hips and legs (bands, foam roller, etc)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love my blocks ....they help me to improve a lot of poses!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I can't live without my foam roller. It's a life saver.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Favourite equipment that I have would be my lululemon yoga mat which I only started using this summer. So much better then my other ones. A yoga wheel would be great too!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love my foam roller. It helps sooo much with tight quads and tight hamstrings. How did I ever live without one?

    ReplyDelete
  18. The absolute perfect work out leggings!!! Totally worth it, totally cute, and so comfortable while you're working out, and also gives the appearance of you looking a little bit thinner than you actually are! And who doesn't want that.

    ReplyDelete
  19. The exercise and relaxation that yoga offers to human body play an important part in curing high blood pressure. Find this

    ReplyDelete