Podium Cycling's Foam Rollers

 Podium Cycling makes foam rollers to help stretch tight muscles from the legs to the back.
I have used both the Level 1 Roller,  18 inches long, spiral shaped, as well as the Level 2 Roller,  13 inches long, with more ridges to roll deeper into muscle tissue.  The Level 2 roller is better suited for traveling due to its size while both rollers are 5 inches in diameter.  Both rollers help with stretching and recovery while massaging your muscles. I recommend for first time users to gradually ease into a recovery or any program using them.  I look forward after a hard workout using the rollers to aid in my recovery.  The foam roller works on removing trigger points, or small knots in your muscles along with flushing away lactic acid.  I use the roller on my lower body (hamstrings, calves and quads) then move onto working it on my upper and lower back. All this is done while laying on the ground either on the carpet or a matt.  Those with sensitive backs may find it uncomfortable and should take caution, as the devices are made to help you, not hurt you. The rollers help increase your flexibility while also improving your core strength. The Podium Cycling foam roller can also help with the redevelopment of muscles and restore the motion to joints in the body.  The foam rollers are designed to not break down which will give you many sessions of muscle recovery.

Check them out at www.podiumcycling.com

Podium Legs Cold, speed up your recovery

After a leg straining workout on the bike or out running, one of the quickest ways to recover is an ice bath.  However, to take an ice bath you need to transfer a bunch of ice to the bathtub.  Some people have used plastic baggies filled with ice, then placing them on their legs only to result in a mess with the baggies leaking or dripping.  Getting enough ice in the tub to soak in is time consuming. A fast and easy way to perform an "ice bath" is by using Podium Cold for your legs.  Simply strap on the leg sleeves with their eight simple Velcro enclosures and sit back, prop your feet up and relax for the next five to 10 minutes. This is a great time to update your workout log, training app or look over your next workout.  (To tell you the truth, I am updating my blog with this post wearing these after a great run today.)
Now why would you be doing this you might ask?  The goal is to help the muscles, tendons, bones, nerves and all the different tissues used in your workout recover.
Lactic acid builds up in the body during exercise (training and racing) that can cause muscles to function poorly and over a long period of time. You start to feel fatigue, your legs get heavy and overall tiredness sets in.
After wearing the sleeves for five to 10 minutes, the icy cold packs inside start to cause your blood vessels to tighten draining the blood out of your legs. After 10 minutes your legs feel cold and numb. When the time is up your legs will begin to fill up with 'new' blood that invigorates the muscles with oxygen to help the cells function better.
Although I think it is really a first-aid term R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation).  I tend to think when it comes to recovering from a hard workout or competition,  Podium Cold for your legs works.  They speed up your recovery time simple as that.
Before your workout, while your filling your water bottles or prepping your energy supplements, slip the Podium Cold Leg sleeves into the freezer so they will be ready to help your recovery when you return. Or better yet, store them in the freezer to grab anytime after a grueling workout session. 
Get a pair at http://www.podiumcold.com