Chirp Wheel Vs. Foam Rollers – Which Massage Device Is Better?

Back pain is one of the most common conditions faced by many American adults today. Though not necessarily a serious condition, it can take a toll on one’s productivity and quality of life.

Fortunately, there are many ways to treat or even prevent back pain. One of the ways to manage your back pain is by using these at-home “massage” devices. These at-home devices are used when working out to specifically manage and treat back pain or just to give your back some good “massage” to keep it in shape.

When it comes to at-home devices, the first thing that most of us would think of is foam rollers. Foam rollers are one of the most common devices used to deal with back problems. However, there is another product out there that works similarly to the foam roller – the Chirp Wheel.

That being said, what is the difference between the two? More importantly, which of them is better? If you are looking for a back pain solution and you’re choosing between Chirp Wheel and foam rollers, this article can help you decide.

So, without further ado, let’s get started with this comparison of Chirp Wheel vs. foam rollers!

What is the Chirp Wheel?

Chirp Wheel is a patented product that is similar to your typical foam roller in that, Chirp Wheel is used the way one would use a foam roller. However, they still have some key differences compared to your typical foam roller.

To begin with, Chirp Wheels have a larger diameter, which allows your back to have a greater rolling circumference. Also, Chirp Wheel looks like, well, a wheel whereas a foam roller is a compact, cylindrical tube. This design allows you to have deeper stretches for your back.

What are Foam Rollers?

Foam rollers are generally cylindrical tubes made up of compressed foam. It is used for both workouts and self-massage for a variety of reasons such as reducing soreness, increasing flexibility, and relieving back pain, and any other back problems. That being said, foam rollers come in a variety of sizes and levels of firmness to accommodate different needs.

How Do Foam Rollers Work?

Earlier, we have discussed why we use foam rollers – to relieve back pain, increase flexibility, reducing soreness, and other benefits related to it. Now, the question is, how do foam rollers work? How can they deliver the benefits that they bring?

To understand how foam rollers work, we have to understand what “myofascial release” is. Foam rolling is considered as a “self-myofascial release” (SMR) method, but what does the word exactly mean?

The word “myofascial” comes from two words, “myo” which means muscle, and “fascia” which refers to the connective network of tissues that surround your muscles and other organs. Once one part of this network is damaged, it will block the fluids that pass through the fascia. As a result, this dehydrates our fascia which leads to the “knots” we experience. But aside from that, the damage will also cause radiating pain throughout our entire body.

What foam rolling does is that it smoothes out the affected fascia, which in turn heals the damage and allows the relevant fluids to pass through it again. Once the damage is healed, the myofascial network will begin to function properly again and the pain will hence fade away.

How Does the Chirp Wheel Work?

Chirp Wheel works very similarly to how foam rollers work in how it works for our myofascial network. But what separates the Chirp Wheel from a regular foam roller is its size: Chirp Wheel is available in bigger sizes, specifically 6” and 10”. This allows your back to enjoy greater rolling circumference – which means more time to have it “massaged”.

To better understand how Chirp Wheel differs from foam rollers, let’s compare the pros and cons of Chirp Wheel to a foam roller.

Chirp Wheel vs. Foam Rollers: Pros and Cons

The Chirp Wheel and foam rollers may be very similar in terms of the purpose of use, but they also have sparking differences to one another. Here’s how they’ll compare by comparing their pros and cons.

Chirp Wheel

Pros

• Has a bigger diameter – Its big diameter allows us to better stretch out the lower back. It also provides us with a better range of motion for our back.
• Can help in reducing the need for chiropractic treatments – While you’ll still need your chiropractor, the Chirp Wheel can help reduce the time you need for chiropractic treatment. Not only that, but some chiropractors recommend the Chirp Wheel to aid in such treatments.
• It is available in different wheel sizes – While the Chirp Wheel is known for its large sizes, they also come in smaller sizes if that’s what suits you.

Cons

• Chirp Wheel is more expensive than foam rollers – If budget is a concern for you, then Chirp Wheel proves to be expensive for your wallet. In this case, Chirp Wheel won’t be a good starter for foam rolling.

Foam Rollers

Pros

• Less expensive than Chirp Wheel – This is good if you want to get started in foam rolling but don’t have enough budget for higher-level foam rolling equipment such as the Chirp Wheel.
• Better for muscle recovery – While Chirp Wheel may be better for back pain due to its size, foam rollers still work better if your main target is muscle recovery.

Cons

• Has a smaller diameter compared to the Chirp Wheel – Its small diameter limits the ability to stretch the lower back. This also limits the range of motion that you can provide to your back.
• Customer Feedback: What Customers Say About Chirp Wheel and Foam Rollers – Both foam rollers and the Chirp Wheel receive positive feedback from their users.

For foam rollers, customers note that their foam rollers can be hard enough to be optimally effective while not causing pain on the body. For some, their foam rollers are a great way to recover their muscles after an intense workout. However, some note that their foam rollers do not provide the deep massage that they would wish they’ll have.

For the Chirp Wheel, some users noted that using the Chirp Wheel is like having an hour’s worth of a Yoga session. Others have noted how the Chirp Wheel had helped them with their back and spinal problems.

Chirp Wheel vs. Foam Rollers: Price Value

When it comes to price, both objects vary in pricing. Foam rollers tend to cost less because in some cases they are less material. There are many different types on the market that are more expensive, that boast various benefits like the Hyperice foam rollers. But you can buy a straight foam roller for very cheap, around $20.  

The Chirp Wheel is a more specific product, but there are different sizes and products you can buy separately and together. You can check out on their website for more detailed pricing information.

Chirp Wheel vs. Foam Rollers: Which is Better?

At first glance, it seemed that the Chirp Wheel was the winner in this comparison. True enough, the Chirp Wheel is great when it comes to dealing with back problems such as back pain. However, if muscle recovery and warm-ups are your main priority, foam rollers would still do better. You just need to choose wisely on which foam rollers to use since there are a variety of foam rollers available in the market. If you’re still considering Chirp Wheel, though, you can learn more in our complete Chirp Wheel review here.

Finding the right massage tool for your back pain, warm-ups, and more can make a world of difference – whether it be Chirp Wheel or a foam roller.