Forearm massage

[adam]

Anyone have experience with the Armaid for forearm massage?  

[iepsje]

Sorry no experience with it. But it seems a lot of money for something you could first try cheaper. Buy a tennisball (or two) and some smaller hard balls (for example dog toys or a semi hard bounceball (or a couple). You can massage the underarm flexors by placing a ball on a table and press your underarm on the ball (press/roll/move etc), you can use your bodyweight or your other arm to deepen the release.The extensor you can work the same way, or place your arm on a table and roll the ball using your other hand over your forearm.

Smaller balls can also be put in a sock or a panty or something to hold them together (in a line) for massaging a larger area at once.

[brendann]

I use it all the time and love it. Especially useful for de-pumping at the crag after a long climb.

[russ]

I use the armaid a ton, particularly after hangboard workouts or after a big bouldering day. I think that it helps me feel fresher the day or two after my workout if I use it, and helps me "check-in" with my body to see if I have any sore-spots to keep an eye on. My fiance uses it to loosen up her hips, as well.
I have never done any controlled experiments to verify the armaid's efficacy, but I've always been a believer of trigger-point therapy. I got a lot of trigger-point, deep-tissue massage during my collegiate running days, and that was the only thing that got me over a few muscle injuries and kept me healthy for any length of time. Everyone on our track team had "The Stick" poking out the top of our backpacks.
The only annoying thing is that the little white clip that holds the roller in place can slip out pretty easily and get lost. That, and I also get some weird side-eye when my friends see what appears to be some kind of S&M torture device on my bed when they come by.
If you get one, I highly recommend getting the Orange Roller, as opposed to the standard 3-ball rollers. My forearm hairs kept getting painfully caught between the rollers, which doesn't happen with the one large roller.
There is also a newer, cheaper version, with some pros and cons compared to the original. DPM did an article on it recently.

[jessebruni]

I bought it several months back and I have used it twice. I probably should start using it more as it's a rather expensive paperweight right now.

[jan]

I made comparable experiences: Using the Armaid after finger intense workouts or on rest days speeds up my recovery quite noticeably. It's a neat piece of equipment and a good complementation to foam rolling. I never use it on during climbing days, case I feel it lowers the muscle tonus drastically.

[cirquebound]

Bought it use, use it, love it.

Adding a heavy weight band on the handles really is nice and you dont have to use your other hand as much

[climbnkev]

I have a Rolflex and use it almost daily when doing heavy training, it's the best $60 I have ever spent. The big key is learning to use it properly....flossing the muscle is good for moving blood but articulating your joint while it's held on a trigger point will give the best results IMO.

[jonfrisby]

Both the Rubbit and Armaid (lost mine) are great. You get significantly better leverage and range of use with these devices than with a non-pinching method like a lacrosse ball.