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Lead Stories: Monday, October 13, 2008

TFS Review: The Stick’s “Sprinter Stick”

Posted January 10th, 2007 at 10:00 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: Running & Training, Injury & Rehab, Gear & Apparel, Miscellaneous, Product Reviews, Special Features, Health & Fitness, Injury & Rehab, TFS Reviews

The Stick’s “Sprinter Stick” is an exceptional tool for injury prevention & treatment and was chosen as a “TFS Top Pick of 2006″.

Product: The Stick’s Sprinter Stick
Price: $32.95
Rating: Excellent 8.9/10.0
Pros: Improves performance by accelerating recovery; portable; good value; versatile
Cons: Difficult to use on arm muscles and feet without a partner.
Overall: This is a one-of-a-kind self-massage tool that can reduce muscle soreness, prevent injuries and even make you a better runner.

For those who have never seen it used, The Sprinter Stick is likely to seem quite peculiar. As a matter of fact, when one of The Final Sprint’s product testers first received it, he thought we had sent him: “Some type of a hybrid between a rolling pin and a weapon from ‘Karate Kid’“.

Believe it or not, this observation was quite perceptive. The Sprinter Stick, one of the many models in the The Stick’s product line, is a 19-inch rod of plastic with grey, grooved handles on each end and nine, independent spindles surrounding it’s core. Just as a rolling pin is used to knead and reshape dough, The Sprinter Stick is used to stretch and manipulate muscle. The Intracell Technology of The Sprinter Stick can also be thought of as a type of weapon; one that has proved extremely effective for runner’s in the battle to stay injury-free.
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TFS’s Top Picks of 2006
Gear and Accessories

Posted December 22nd, 2006 at 12:00 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: Announcements, Running & Training, Injury & Rehab, Gear & Apparel, Gadgets & Acces., Miscellaneous, Product Reviews, Sports Medicine, Special Features, Health & Fitness, Injury & Rehab, Exercise, TFS Reviews, TFS Top Picks

Want the gear that will go the furthest, last the longest and do the most to improve your performance? Want to buy the perfect holiday gift for the runner in your family? Want the newest, most advanced training tools on the market?

Then look no further! The Final Sprint’s Top Picks of 2006 is your ultimate guide to running gadgets, hydration devices and much more! We have put hours into testing and comparing each of these items and take pride in recommending each of our top picks.

TRAINING SYSTEMS (HRM + Training Assistant)

Overall

• Top Pick: Polar / adidas Project Fusion
• Best Value: Timex IRONMAN Bodylink System

GPS Training System

• Top Pick: Garmin Forerunner 305

Non-GPS Training System

• Top Pick: Polar / adidas Project Fusion

MP3 Player

• Top Pick: iPod nano RED
• Best accessory: DLO Action Jacket

Hydration Device (short/moderate distance)

• Top Pick: Fuelbelt 10k 2-bottle belt
• Runner-up: Amphipod Full Tilt Velocity

Hydration Device (long distance)

• Top Pick: Camelbak Flashflo
• Runner-up: Fuelbelt Ultra Distance 8-bottle belt

Injury Prevention and Treatment Products

• Co-Top Pick: BodyGlide Skin & Sun Formulas
• Co-Top Pick: The Stick’s “Sprinter Stick”

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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.
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