To millions of Americans, back pain is a nightmare that they’d do anything to wake up from. If you feel the same, then this Chirp Wheel vs Yoga Wheel guide is just what you need.
Both of these tools are designed to relieve back pain by stretching the spin in the opposite direction. They can also help ease neck pain, promote flexibility, prevent injury, and improve balance.
Since tight muscles and pinched nerves are common triggers of back problems that cause pain, a lot of chiropractors and physiotherapists advise their patients to try a Chirp Wheel or Yoga Wheel for stretching their spine out.
Table of Contents
Overview
Here, I’ll discuss in detail the similarities and differences between the two tools to find out the best applications for each.
Chirp Wheel
Originally called the Plexus Wheel, the Chirp Wheel is an upgrade of the company’s previous model. It has been marketed as a set of 3 (recently a 4th has been added) that you can buy together or separately, each measuring 5 inches wide but with different diameters.
The Chirp Wheels is essentially a deep tissue massage tool developed to alleviate or treat back pain. They’re excellent for rehabilitation and offer superior stretching capabilities thanks to a design that gives a 4-way stretch.
Additionally, the Chirp Wheel features a spinal groove running down the center of the wheel to eliminate the usual discomfort that accompanies the use of conventional yoga wheels. It’s, however, more expensive than conventional yoga wheels.
Pros:
- Offers a more profound 4-way stretch
- Provides targeted deep-tissue massage
- The central groove minimizes pain resulting from pressing the spine against the surface of the wheel as you roll
- Available in 3 diameters to accommodate different levels of intensity
Cons:
- Costs more than conventional yoga wheels
- No width options other than 5 inches
Yoga Wheel
The Yoga Wheel is a yoga accessory that’s shaped like a circle and designed to stretch tight muscle tissue, release tension, and open up the front of your body.
Sri Dharma Mittra first sparked the idea, then his son Dov Vargas picked it up and turned it into a revolutionary yoga prop known as the Dharma Yoga Wheel.
From that point and over the years, the concept of the Yoga Wheel has become more and more popular among yogis, athletes, and famous figures. Many companies manufactured their own versions of a yoga wheel based on the original design of the Dharma prop.
Unlike the Chirp Wheel, the Yoga Wheel doesn’t feature a central groove for the spine, so it can be a bit uncomfortable to use for any deep tissue massage.
Its leveled surface is most helpful in relieving mild back pain, strengthening the back, and improving/maintaining posture.
Readily available from a wide variety of brands, yoga wheels are quite affordable compared to the Chirp Wheel.
Pros:
- Good for mild back pain
- Strengthens back muscles
- Readily available on the market in many patterns
- Affordable solution
Cons:
- Lacks a spinal groove that reduces painful pressure on the vertebrae
- Finding a 12-inch diameter model can be challenging
Features Face-to-Face
Let’s compare the differences in key features between the Chirp Wheel and a Yoga Wheel:
Padding
The Chirp wheel is equipped with thicker padding than the majority of conventional yoga wheels on the market, so it can provide you with a deeper stretch while reducing the pressure on your spine.
The exterior of the Chirp Wheel has 20mm padding, whereas most yoga wheels have 5mm to 10 mm padding on the outside. This makes Chirp Wheels more comfortable and safer to use.
Size
Although both Chirp Wheels and Yoga Wheels are sold in numerous sizes, the former offers more options to choose from according to where you need the pressure and how deep you fancy it.
The Chirp Wheel comes in 4 different sizes of diameters 4 inches, 6 inches, 10 inches, and 12 inches. You can buy them together as a bundle of 3 or 4 or separately.
In comparison, finding a 12-inch yoga wheel isn’t as easy.
Material
The Chirp Wheel is constructed out of injection-molded plastic, which is a highly durable industrial-grade material. It’s built to last, so you can use it every single day without worrying about how long it’ll live to serve you.
As for yoga wheels, their frames are commonly made out of PVC or ABS plastic. Depending on the manufacturing method, yoga wheels can be as rigid and long-lasting as Chirp Wheels.
Keep in mind that ABS plastic is more resistant to shocks than PVC and also has a heavier weight limit.
Weight
Generally speaking, the Chirp Wheel can endure more weight than the average Yoga Wheel. The former has been stress tested to determine the strength of its core and has been rated for a maximum weight capacity of up to 500 pounds.
On the other hand, the majority of yoga wheels on the market can hold weights between 200 and 400 pounds. Still, some stronger models can handle more weight.
Cost
You can visit pretty much any online fitness retailer and find a yoga wheel for less than $50. The affordability of yoga wheels comes from their standard design that was adopted by many established brands.
The Chirp Wheel, however, may cost you more than $50 due to its special patented design that no other yoga wheel can offer. Many people think it’s worth it though.
Stand-out Features and Q&A
The Spinal Groove
The Chirp Wheel features a spinal groove running down the center of the wheel. Its purpose is to eliminate the discomfort/pain that usually accompanies the use of conventional yoga wheels because of the pressure against the spine.
Yoga wheels lack this spinal groove, which also helps the Chirps Wheel deliver a deeper 4-way stretch compared to the 2-way stretch of yoga wheels.
Is the Chirp Wheel a Yoga Wheel?
For a technical stand, the Chirp Wheel is categorized under yoga wheels. However, they differ in that they possess thicker padding and the patented central spinal groove.
Which Size of the Chirp Wheel Should I Use?
The Chirp Wheel is available in 3 different sizes of diameter 6 inches, 10 inches, and 12 inches.
The smallest size is best for targeting pressure points that cause pain in the back and hips but never use it on the lower back.
The medium size is ideal for advanced users who want to try a more intense stretch. As for the largest size, it’s more suitable for overall stretching and rolling out of the lower and upper back.
Final Thoughts
To wrap up this Chirp Wheel vs Yoga Wheel guide, I’ll leave you with the following recommendations:
Get the Chirp Wheel if
You’re looking to enjoy a deep tissue massage while treating or alleviating your back pain. It’s also a better choice for rehabilitation after injury or surgery.
The Chirp Wheel can be more beneficial to those in need of intense stretching with minimal pain thanks to the patented spinal canal technology. Check out the Chirp Wheel review here.
Get a Yoga Wheel if
You’re looking for an affordable prop to help you stretch tight muscle tissue, release tension, and open up the front of your body. It can also ease your mild to moderate back pain and improve your flexibility. Check out our guide to yoga wheels here.
Get Both if
You want to reap all the benefits of stretching out your spine, whether it’s to reduce back pain, improve balance, maintain posture, or strengthen muscles.
For more pain relief ideas check out our guide to self-massage tools.
