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The Best Yoga Wheels for Increasing Flexibility and Relieving Tension
These yoga wheels will help you get the most out of your backbends.
One of the most sought-after yoga poses is the beautifully Instagrammable backbend, but this somewhat precarious position is by no means the easiest to achieve. With a yoga wheel, however, you can not only acquire the support you need to train yourself for this challenging bend, but can also bolster a range of other stretches.
“We love yoga wheels because they’re so versatile,” says Esther Ekhart, founder of the online yoga program Ekhart Yoga. “You can use them in place of blocks, bolsters, and straps in restorative yoga. Yoga wheels are great for supported backbends to counteract too much time at your desk. They can give you extra support, which can help prevent injuries and help you go a little deeper into the pose. Or you can use them to add an extra challenge to your practice—try balancing on a yoga wheel in plank pose to test your core strength.”
With that in mind, here’s how to find the right yoga wheel for you, along with 10 reviews of the best models out there.
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How to Choose The Best Yoga Wheel
Although most yoga wheels tend to look fairly similar, they can differ vastly in terms of quality. You want a well-made yoga wheel not only because it will last for years to come, but also because it can be a matter of safety. If a subpar wheel breaks or shifts under the strain of your pose, you might slip and end up doing serious damage to your back or some other part of your body. Accordingly, our recommendations take a few things into consideration.
Weight Capacity
Above all else, it’s essential that you have a yoga wheel that won’t buckle under the pressure of your pose. For safety purposes, look for a wheel that can hold at least 200 pounds over your bodyweight.
Tread
The best tread on a yoga wheel ensures that it won’t slip as you’re moving through your session. It also dictates how comfortable the wheel will feel pressed against your body. Look for tread made from quality foam or cork that is at least 4 millimeters thick. It’s usually best to avoid wheels that have no tread altogether, unless you’re looking for truly firm trigger-point release, similar to a foam roller.
Width
Some people prefer a wide wheel that emphasizes stability, whereas others are looking for something a bit narrower to provide a more concentrated massage experience. Which is right for you depends on your intentions.
Aesthetics
Okay, this one isn’t a matter of safety, but let’s face it—we all want our yoga gear to look great. Although any old plastic tube can function as a yoga wheel, wouldn’t you rather have your stretching space adorned with equipment that looks beautiful?
How We Evaluated
A quick word on my background: As an avid health and fitness enthusiast, I’ve spent well over a decade writing about wellness and testing out wellness gear—including yoga equipment. I’ve been practicing yoga multiple times a week for nearly five years now, and I’m constantly on the lookout for great products to help bolster my yoga and fitness endeavors, in general.
I rigorously evaluated some two dozen yoga wheels based on a combination of my own experience, input from certified yoga trainers, and reviews from real world buyers on Amazon and other yoga product retailers. I selected wheels to suit a range of budgets and yoga goals, so whatever your stretching situation happens to be, one of the best yoga wheels below is right for you.
UpCircleSeven UpCircleSeven Yoga Wheel 12-Inch
UpCircleSeven UpCircleSeven Yoga Wheel 12-Inch
Pros
- Durable
- Comfortable
Cons
- Inflexible frame might be too rigid for some users
Key Specs
- Size: 12 x 5 in.
- Tread: 8-mm foam
- Weight Limit: 550 lb
For all-around quality, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a yoga wheel that checks all the boxes as well as this wheel from UpCircleSeven. Made of rigid plastic with one of the highest capacities on the market, it has a textured foam tread that’s both comfortable to the touch and slip-resistant.
Node Fitness Node Fitness 13-Inch Professional Yoga Wheel
Node Fitness Node Fitness 13-Inch Professional Yoga Wheel
Pros
- Affordable
- Comfortable
Cons
- Some reviewers have experienced wear over time
Key Specs
- Size: 13 x 5 in.
- Tread: 8-mm foam
- Weight Limit: 500 lb
When it comes to getting a quality yoga wheel at an affordable price, this no-nonsense wheel from Node delivers. With a carrying capacity of 500 pounds, it’s a tough wheel at a low cost. It’s also comfortable and slip-proof, ensuring that your session is safe and enjoyable.
Pros
- Eco-friendly cork
- Attractive design
Cons
- Might be too rigid for some users
Key Specs
- Size: 13 x 5 in.
- Tread: 8-mm cork and TPE foam
- Weight Limit: 500 lb
Cork has become an increasingly popular material in the yoga community because it’s soft, attractive, and sustainable, too. This yoga wheel from Aozora is comfortable and well-constructed with a durable wood grain frame and a cork-topped foam tread. Plus, it’s available in three attractive printed patterns; choose a mandala, chakra, or hamsa hand.
Acumobility Acumobility Ultimate Back Roller
Acumobility Acumobility Ultimate Back Roller
Pros
- Great for back pain and myofascial release
- Extra-wide foundation
- Super strong
Cons
- Bumps might be uncomfortable for some people
- Pricey
Key Specs
- Size: 11.5 x 7.5 in.
- Tread: Foam bumps
- Weight Limit: 1,000 lb
If you’re looking to add a massage element to your stretching session, the Ultimate Back Roller does the trick thanks to its bumpy surface. Acumobility arranges these firm protuberances in four rows with a gap for your spine in the middle, ensuring comfort and safety. It’s also extra-wide and extra-strong, providing truly sturdy support.
Pros
- Ergonomic shape
- Won’t roll beneath you
Cons
- Won’t roll beneath you (if that’s what you’re going for)
Key Specs
- Size: 17 x 6 x 5 in.
- Tread: 8-mm foam
- Weight Limit: 1,000+ lb
Granted, this isn’t a true wheel, but if you’re looking for stability and a gentler curve for your back, the Yoga Half Wheel’s unique design makes for a sturdy base and a less pronounced bend. It’s also ultra-strong, capable of holding over 1,000 pounds.
Chirp Chirp Wheel+ 3-Pack
Chirp Chirp Wheel+ 3-Pack
Pros
- Multiple diameters
- Extra-thick tread
Cons
- Tread might be too soft for people who prefer a firmer wheel
Key Specs
- Sizes: 6/10/12 x 5 in.
- Tread: 0.5-in. foam
- Weight Limit: 500 lb
Variety is the spice of life. If you’re looking to apply this maxim to your yoga practice, then the 3-piece Wheel+ from Chirp is for you. The set includes three wheels of varying diameters to allow for a greater range of stretches, and its extra-thick foam tread features a ridge for spine comfort and protection.
WYRJXYB WYRJXYB Yoga Wheel Set
WYRJXYB WYRJXYB Yoga Wheel Set
Pros
- Near complete package yoga
- Great value
Cons
- The inclusion of a yoga mat would make it truly comprehensive
Key Specs
- Size: 13 x 5.1 in.
- Tread: Foam
- Weight Limit: 660 lb
If you’re searching for a package that includes a range of yoga tools, this set is about as comprehensive as it gets. With a yoga wheel, two yoga blocks, a yoga strap, five resistance bands, a jump rope, and a storage bag, it covers all your stretching bases. And quantity doesn’t interfere with quality; the wheel itself is both comfortable and durable.
Shogun Sports Shogun Sports 6-Inch Back Circle
Shogun Sports Shogun Sports 6-Inch Back Circle
Pros
- Small and stable
- Extra-thick tread
Cons
- Too small for back bends
Key Specs
- Size: 6 x 5.5 in.
- Tread: 10-mm foam
- Weight Limit: 500 lb
For a yoga wheel that leans more toward something akin to a foam roller used to roll out sore muscles, many people prefer a smaller, more stable wheel. This mini wheel from Shogun Sports offers plenty of comfortable tread in a more compact size. It also includes a guide book to teach you various poses and uses.
Inviguri Inviguri Yoga Wheel
Inviguri Inviguri Yoga Wheel
Pros
- Extremely firm pressure
Cons
- Might be too rigid for some people
- Pricey
Key Specs
- Size: 10 x 6 in.
- Tread: None
- Weight Limit: 500 lb
When it comes to getting a truly firm rolling experience, this yoga wheel from Inviguri doesn’t hold back. Made out of solid cork, it forgoes additional tread in favor of a more rigid, intense muscle release. Although it’s rated to hold up to 500 pounds, the manufacturer warns that people over 275 pounds might find it uncomfortable, given its rigidity. But if you’re going for unrelenting direct pressure, you’ve found it.
Yoloha Yoga Lunar Cork Yoga Wheel
Yoloha Yoga Lunar Cork Yoga Wheel
Pros
- Beautiful design
- Handmade and sustainable
Cons
- Not built for durability
- Expensive
Key Specs
- Size: 12 x 5 in.
- Tread: Cork and latex-free foam
- Weight Limit: 300 lb
Few yoga gear manufacturers up the artistry of their products quite like Yoloha Yoga, and its line of premium yoga wheels is no exception. Handmade from sustainably sourced maple and poplar and padded with cork-coated foam, the Lunar Cork Wheel lends itself to a luxurious stretching session. And with a range of beautiful patterns—including this stunning lunar motif or a colorful chakra pattern—it will look great in your space.
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