TFS Review: BodyGlide Muscle Formula
Posted December 14th, 2006 at 6:00 AM by Trish Monks
Section: Running & Training, Injury & Rehab, Gear & Apparel, Miscellaneous, Sports Medicine, Special Features, Health & Fitness, Injury & Rehab, TFS Reviews
TFS makes every effort to be unbiased and objective when performing product reviews; often doing double-blind tests to ensure such high standards. However, it should be noted up-front that our team, in general, does not find muscle/heat rubs to be the most effective means of treating muscle soreness, pain, fatigue, etc.
Product: BodyGlide Muscle Formula
Price: $7.99 (1.3 oz), $12.99 (2.5 oz)
Rating: Average 5.85/10.0
Pros: Easy to apply; water & sweat resistant
Cons: Requires a lot to feel an effect; the smell
Overall: If you usually use heat rubs like Icy Hot, then this is a better choice. Otherwise, you’re better off using some combination of massage, heat/ice, stretching and The Stick to treat sore muscles.
Note: Although this review is authored by just one of TFS’s team members, it reflects the cumulative results of the entire groups’ trial.
Effectiveness - 5.5 - Muscle Formula is marketed as being able to help treat and/or address minor pain and soreness. It also claims to aid in the healing process and to improve circulation & muscle and joint flexibility.
The first time I tried it I used a moderate amount, but simply didn’t feel a thing. In my second trial, I used considerably more and I did feel some warmth in the area and a positive sensation, but it did little to substantially ease the tightness in the muscles where it was applied. When used prior to activity, there again was little effect in terms of aiding in the loosening and warming up of my muscles. Subsequent tests on myself and the other team members produced similar results. However, when compared to competing muscle rubs (i.e. - Icy Hot, Bengay, Tiger Balm, etc) Muscle Formula was the most effective overall and will provide that instant effect that some people desire.
Design - 7 - The best aspect of Muscle Formula is it’s design because it utilizes the same easy-to-use stick as their Skin/Sun Formulas. This prevents it from getting all over your hands (a major flaw in the competing products). In addition, all three of their formulas (Muscle, Skin and Sun) are not greasy, won’t stain your clothes and will stay on through rain, sweat, etc (although they will come off easily in the shower).
However, the smell is a major letdown. The packaging claims it to be “mild” (and compared to other muscle rubs - it is) but it still has that distinct menthol odor. Absent the smell, Muscle Formula would have received a much higher design rating (more along the lines of it’s sister products, the Skin and Sun Formulas).
Value - 6 - Muscle Formula does provide a greater value than other muscle rubs because of it’s comparatively superior effectiveness and milder smell. However, it lost points because of the substantial amount that needs to be applied in order to experience results.
Overall, if you are a loyal muscle rub user then you will undoubtedly be pleased with BodyGlide’s Muscle Formula and it should serve as an upgrade to your current product. However, my team members and I are of the opinion that muscle rubs really just mask the problem through instant sensation and that there are far better ways to treat sore, tight and painful muscles.
Here are some of our suggestions for alternative treatment options (in no particular order):
- Massage (self or professional sports massages)
- The Stick
- Ice baths, heat compresses and/or increased stretching
- Re-ass your training regimen and if possible, consider additional rest days to aid in the healing process.
- Extend your warm-up and cool-down time to help limit your post-workout soreness.
We do understand and appreciate that athletes, especially runners, are quite loyal and even superstitious about their product choices. If you find muscle rubs to be effective, then there is no real danger in sticking with them and they do increase circulation by drawing blood to the area where they are applied. If you fit into that group, then BodyGlide’s Muscle Formula is definitely the way to go.
On the other hand, if you are open to trying some new products and techniques, then we believe you will find our alternative suggestions to be much more effective.
Editor’s note - The overall rating was calculated by weighting Effectiveness as 70%, Design as 20% and Value as 10%.
Hariz Siddiqui, Martin Kennedy, Martha Jones, Jeanie Rebb and Allyson Rosen also contributed to this product trial and review.
***Note: We encourage EVERYONE to see a doctor before altering their diet, taking a supplement and/or performing athletic, fitness or other strenuous physical activity. It is your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any information, instruction, opinion or advice contained in the content. Please also see our complete disclaimer.***
Tags: bengay, Bodyglide, heat rubs, icy hot, injury prevention, injury treatment, massage, menthol, muscle fatigue, muscle formula, muscle soreness, product review, review, self massage, skin formula, stretching, sun formula, the stick, tiger balm
Like what you see? Subscribe to our feed!
The Final Sprint
I know, I know . . . these types of products really don’t “heal”. BUT - I still really find them helpful (whether it is in my head or not). I was a dedicated Tiger Balm user for years, but switched to the Bodyglide after my first ultra and have found it to work well. In my head or not - I still at least ‘think’ I feel better - and for me, that’s good enough (esp. after an ultra, haha).
December 14th, 2006 at 7:56 am[…] Design - 7 – The Arnica Gel is hands-down a better smelling product than traditional muscle rubs like Icy Hot, Bengay and Tigerbalm. The odor is extremely mild, not offensive and doesn’t even resemble the terrible menthol odor of traditional muscle rubs. You can also take comfort in knowing that it is all natural. The only drawback to Boiron’s design and packaging is that it comes in a tube, instead of a “roll-on” stick form like BodyGlide’s Muscle Formula. However, even in the current tube package, Arnica is not at all messy and doesn’t seem to stain clothes. […]
January 18th, 2007 at 1:56 am