We sat down with our Director of Education, Kevin Hendry, to get his perspective on the Axle’s mind blowing amazing-ness. Read on for his pointers on integrating the RAD Axle into training sessions and how to get started with the tool.
Q: What does the RAD Axle have that other foam rollers don’t?
Kevin: Unlike the clunky foam rollers it looks sharp and professional, and the compact size means you can pack it with you when you go to work, the gym, or on a flight.
The Axle also:
- Can be cleaned thoroughly because sweat, dirt and germs can't seep through the material
- Is designed by experts in biomechanics, anatomy, and manual therapy for the most effective release ever. The contour allows the vertebrae to nestle in the middle while the beams of spinal erectors are contacted. Also, the contour acts as a landing strip for the large muscle groups of the body
- Has carefully crafted ridges to grab and shear the skin, increase circulation, get those layers of fascia gliding, and free up the nerve endings just below the skin.
- Is the only tool of its kind that can be paired with a flushing stick, making it the most versatile SMR tool on the market.
Q: Which areas of the body does the Axle target?
Kevin: It is perfectly suited for the prime movers such as the calves, quads, adductors, glutes, spinal erectors, lats, and triceps
Q: What's the first thing I should do with the Axle when I get it?
Kevin: Lay on your back with the Axle just below the shoulder blades perpendicular to your spine. Take a few deep, slow breaths and then wrap yourself over the tool in spinal extension. Don't be surprised if you hear and feel a few subtle cracks and give yourself a pat on the back for freeing up the ribs where they meet the vertebrae and restoring the optimal positioning of the spine.
Q: Will it be worked into the RAD Education programming?
Kevin: Yes - this tool is a welcomed addition to our existing lineup of tools and techniques. Athletes and larger individuals will love the size and firmness. It is ideal for all 3 of the RAD release techniques but it's particularly suited to flushing.
Q: How can I incorporate it into client training sessions?
Kevin: Use it in the pre-workout warm-up to mobilize any regions of the body that have limited range of motion, after a training session to help speed up recovery, or for 10 minutes every night before bed. We floss and brush our teeth on a daily basis but many people neglect the health and mobility of their joints and soft tissues. Make SMR with the Axle a part of your daily routine!