Introduction

Over the past 30 years the fitness industry has seen vast improvements in the apparatus used to develop cardiovascular capacity and strength. As for flexibility there has been no great device outside of the Precor Stretch Trainer which was introduced over 15 years ago. Although the Precor Stretch Trainer provides 3 possibly 4 very good stretches it is limited in providing stretches for the entire body and for all fitness levels (see picture). As for new fitness devices there has been nothing to really speak of, where it seems the industry has gone “old school” bringing back medicine balls, jumping ropes, and sandbags. The fitness industry is yearning for new strategies and devices to get people excited as the elliptical machine did over 10 years ago.

As people age their structure changes at both the obvious level (posture) and microscopic level (less elastic tissue) leaving them inflexible with less available range of motion, in other words aging causes the body to become structurally stagnant and limited. Added to this everyday stress can place additional muscular tension in certain areas (neck, upper shoulders, and low back).  Something got to give and unfortunately pain and headaches results, which may lead to less productivity and decrements in ones quality of life. It is time for something new, non-pharmacological, and effective to help remedy this especially considering the number of baby bombers reaching retirement age.

Here is where the Revolve comes in.

What’s self-myofascial release?

A little background information is warranted at this time. Self-myofascial release is a therapeutic self-massage technique where body weight is applied to specific areas by rolling on the floor with a round foam roller (see side picture) or soft balls. Self-myofascial release techniques on a simple piece of foam may allow one to improve flexibility, function, and performance and reduce chances of injuries. These simple pieces of foam are used in hospitals, physical therapy centers, gyms, and in the home. By using ones body weight on a round foam roller, one can massage away restrictions to normal soft-tissue extensibility just by rolling back and forth. It is simple and effective. Unfortunately this form of self-release or self-massage is done on the ground requiring awkward positioning, limited control, and contact with possibly unclean surfaces. A limited amount of muscles can be worked on the floor using this technique as well. Additionally some older people and those with disabilities find it very difficult going to and from the ground. 

Self-myofascial release and the Revolve.

The Revolve goes beyond typical self-massage and stretching by allowing performance of self-muscular treatment in a standing positions. Not only is self-release and stretching easier on the Revolve it can be more effective than floor self-myofascial release. It also works a greater amount of body areas. The Revolve's self-release rollers can be positioned just a couple inches off the floor to several feet in the air. It is easy to regulate the application of pressure when performing self-release on the Revolve, unlike the floor, just by regulating the force of your muscles pressing into the rollers and/or the amount of body weight applied to the rollers. Not only can the you use the Revolve adjustable self-myofascial release rollers to roll out adhesions you can use it as a soft rest position for various limbs you want to stretch. Don’t worry about keeping your balance the Revolve’s support handle allows you to hang on so you can be confident as you stretch or self-release even in the most difficult and awkward positions. The support handle allows a greater amount of force to be applied to some body areas as well.

* Additional attachments which can be another source of revenue. Different types of rollers can also be an extra source of revenue.

How does it work?

Self-release rollers are attached to a locking mechanism that can lock or clamp onto tubular wall frames of gym equipment or a support column of a home or its own dedicated column which is part of a free standing system. The locking mechanism is simple to adjust from the floor to over head depending on the support frame or column.

Standing self-releases

Standing self-releases for the lower body ( calves, quadriceps, it-band, hip flexors, and hamstrings ) can be done with one leg at a time at multiple heights by rolling back and forth. The mid-body ( buttock and low back ) can be accomplished by sitting on or pressing into the rollers and moving up and down. Upper body ( chest, shoulders, rhomboids, and trapezius ) requires a squatting motion that presses the shoulders into the roller while at the same time the body is moved back and forth or up and down. The trapezius release is highly effective. Some feel it is better than getting a massage.

Standing stretches

The adjustable self-release rollers and additional attachments can offer a variety of stretching options. Unlike conventional standing stretches you don’t have to worry about losing your balance. The support handle* allows confidence for the handle allows a more concentrated and specific stretch. Just try doing a hamstring stretch with your legs over 90 degrees without support. The Revolve allows you to perform this stretch and others at multiple heights using a support handle that can be adjusted. The standing stretches for the upper body can be accomplished with the support handle allowing for a near infinite possibility. Hang back and stretch, or kickback and curl, or swivel to your right or left the Revolve is designed for all directions. Stretches for the mid-body and calf region can be done by positioning your feet on the calf/foot platform* and holding onto the support handle and leaning back or side to side.

Not Limited

The device is not just limited to releasing and stretching the Revolve’s free standing system allows many functional and strength training options some of which are unique to the system.

A review of how stretching and self-myofascial release works.

To understand how stretching and self-myofascial release work, how they work together, and why they are important a basic understanding of the kinetic chain must be reviewed. 

The kinetic chain is made up of the soft tissue muscle, tendon, ligament, and fascia), neural, and articular (joints) systems. The kinetic chain works as a functional unit. All components of the kinetic chain exist interdependently. If one segment is not functioning efficiently then the other components must compensate, leading to tissue overload, fatigue, and faulty movement patterns and finally initiating the injury cycle. This is seen with people who have altered range of motions (ROM) due to poor posture due to work or stress. If ROM is altered the body compensates by moving the joint(s) differently, which may place uncommon stresses on the articular cartilage which may lead to premature degeneration. Another example, is when range of motion is loss through muscle restrictions. Muscle restriction (tightness, spasms, soft tissue adhesions, and neural-hyperactivity), which can happen to anyone including athletes, alters joint motion, which affects the exchange between the CNS (central nervous system) and the muscle. Ultimately, efficiency is compromised which leads to poor movement patterns inducing premature fatigue and causing further injury as well as decrements in performance.

The injury cycle and early degeneration need to be stopped in order to improve quality of life and decrease medical costs. This may be partially accomplished with self-myofascial release and stretching.

Summary statement

Self-muscular release before stretching self-releases and self-massages away restrictions and warms the muscle preparing it to be stretched. Stretching increases range of motion thereby preventing poor posture and tissue overload. Stretching together with self-myofascial release may allow you improve to muscular balance, range of motion, and performance, while possibly decreasing pain and acute muscle soreness. No other device allows stretching and self-myofascial release like the Revolve.

Evolve with the Revolve