In recent years, yoga wheels have become a staple in yoga studios, gyms, and living rooms everywhere. These little tools can be used to boost your flexibility, aid you in stretching, release tension, and even support you in certain yoga poses. The yoga wheel is more versatile than the yoga block, which is why its popularity has been skyrocketing. Below you’ll find six of the best yoga wheels and yoga wheel sets on the market for supporting your yoga practice and boosting flexibility.
What Is a Yoga Wheel?
The yoga wheel is an incredibly versatile workout tool that comes in a variety of styles and materials. It can be used like a yoga block to help you achieve certain poses or increase your flexibility. Using it like a foam roller can also relieve muscle tension and back pain. Yoga wheels of different sizes can be used for different purposes. For example, a larger yoga wheel can be used to support your back in “wheel pose,” while a smaller yoga wheel is ideal for “foam rolling” smaller muscles. Some yoga wheels are textured to make them slip- and sweat-resistant, and some are made to support your whole-body weight during advanced poses. Choosing a yoga wheel depends on your intended use, as well as where you are in your yoga journey. Yogis of all levels can benefit from a yoga wheel, but your experience and practice level might dictate the type of yoga wheel that’s best for you. For instance, a large, durable yoga wheel meant to support advanced poses might be better suited for a seasoned yogi, whereas a smaller, non-slip yoga wheel might be more convenient for a beginner yogi. Regardless, the yoga wheel is a tool with a variety of uses and benefits that’s sure to add value to any yogi’s collection. Its recent surge in popularity is no coincidence, and many yogis are reaping the yoga wheel’s benefits in their practice!
Poses to Try With a Yoga Wheel
There are a plethora of yoga poses that can be done with the help of a yoga wheel. Using a yoga wheel during your practice can help deepen your stretches, build strength throughout your body, and improve overall flexibility and coordination. Below are just a few of the yoga poses you can try out with your new yoga wheel.
Child’s Pose (Balasana)
One of the best deep-stretch yoga poses for yogis of all levels is child’s pose. Using a yoga wheel during child’s pose can help deepen your stretch and is ideal for tight shoulders and arms. Start by kneeling on your mat with your toes touching and knees spread apart. Place your yoga wheel in front of you with your hands on it, then wheel forward as you sit your hips back into the pose.
Wheel Pose (Urdhva Dhanurasana)
One common yoga pose for which you can use a yoga wheel is, of course, wheel pose. While full wheel pose is a challenging pose (essentially a backbend) that only experienced yogis should attempt, practicing a modified version with a yoga wheel can help you build up to the challenge. Start in a seated position with your knees bent and your feet flat on the mat. Place your yoga wheel behind you and lean back, draping yourself over the wheel backwards. Lift your hips as you bring your arms over your head and press your palms into the mat by your ears. Stay in this position for three to five breaths.
Extended Side Angle Pose (Utthita Parsvakonasana)
A yoga wheel can be used to deepen your stretch or add a balance challenge in the classic extended side angle pose. To perform this yoga pose, start in Warrior II, lunging with one foot forward, facing the short end of your yoga mat, keeping your back foot facing the long end of your yoga mat. Tilt your torso forward—you can extend your arms with a yoga wheel held in both hands. Alternatively, place the yoga wheel under your back foot and tilt forward, sending one palm towards the sky.
Crow Pose (Bakasana)
Crow pose can be a challenge for new yogis, as it requires superior core strength and balance. A yoga wheel can be used as a support to do a modified version of crow pose. Start by squatting on your toes, placing your yoga wheel flat in front of you on the yoga mat. Grab the wheel with both hands as you lean your torso forward between your knees. Continue to tip forward until your shins rest on the backs of your upper arms. If you can, slowly lift your feet off the ground. From there, you can extend your elbows for a more advanced version. Try to stay in your modified crow pose for at least five breaths.
Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana)
Seated forward fold is a yoga pose that can be performed at all levels and is excellent at relaxing the whole body. However, tight hamstrings are a common ailment that can make seated forward fold difficult. This is where a yoga wheel comes in to save the day. Start by sitting on your yoga mat with your legs stretched out in front of you. Bend your knees and place your yoga wheel underneath your calves. Leaning down over your thighs, grab your yoga wheel with both hands. Scoot your hips back until you feel a stretch in your hamstrings, and relax your upper body on top of your legs. Hold this pose for several breaths.
Lunge Pose (Utthita Ashwa Sanchalanasana)
A deep lunge can help strengthen your hamstrings and hip flexors, and spending some time in lunge pose with a yoga wheel will take those benefits to the next level. Start by standing on your yoga mat with your yoga wheel behind you. Place your right foot on your yoga wheel (with the top of your foot facing down) and slowly wheel it back. As you roll, your left leg will naturally bend into a lunge. Ensuring that your left leg is stable and that your left knee stays directly over your left ankle, exhale and roll back to standing position. Repeat this sequence 10 times on each side. Effective for both strength and balance, lunge pose is a smart addition to your regular yoga practice.
Shoulder Stand (Salambasana Sarvangasana)
The shoulder stand is an inversion, meaning it promotes relaxation, regulates hormones, eases digestion, relieves sore muscles, and more. Inversion poses can be difficult but using a yoga wheel for added support will make your shoulder stand much more achievable. Start by laying on your back in the fetal position. Grab your yoga wheel and hold it against your lower back, then extend your legs towards the ceiling or sky. Hold this pose for ten breaths if you can, then carefully bend your legs and roll your yoga wheel away from you as you come down.
6 Best Yoga Wheels to Boost Flexibility: Our Recommendations
Below are our top picks for the best yoga wheels and yoga wheel sets on the market. Based on durability, size, quality of materials and padding, cost-effectiveness, and what reviewers had to say, we’re sure these yoga wheels will add value to your yoga practice without breaking the bank.
1. UpCircleSeven
UpCircleSeven’s yoga wheel is designed to relieve back pain and muscle tension. Its patent pending design features 8mm of padding throughout, meaning it conforms to your body in a unique way to provide relief in your upper back, lower back, neck, and spine. This allows for the realignment of the natural curvature of your spine, leading to improved posture. The UpCircleSeven yoga wheel can withstand up to 550 pounds, meaning it’s durable and can support you through advanced poses. It is available in a dozen different colors, including black, blue, cork, cyan, pink, purple white, and gray (with pink, purple, orange, or turqoise accents). This wheel comes in two different sizes, 6″ diameter and 12″ diameter, so you can choose whichever size best suits your skill level and needs (or purchase one of each to create a yoga wheel set). Reviewers rave about the support this wheel provides during advanced poses as well as the relief from chronic pain they’ve experienced while using it. What’s more, UpCircleSeven’s wheels are reasonably priced, starting at $27.97. If you’re looking for a sturdy yet soft yoga wheel that can support you through your most difficult poses, and also be used as a foam roller and deep tissue massager, UpCircleSeven has you covered.
2. REEHUT
REEHUT’s yoga wheel is light, portable, and sweat-resistant. Not only is it built to last with durable materials, it’s also skin-safe and hypoallergenic. Its 12.6″ diameter and 5″ width makes it ideal for advanced poses—it can withstand up to 330 pounds! Challenging poses like wheel pose and crow pose are easier to practice with the support of such a well-sized wheel, and since the material molds to the curvature of your back, it’s ideal for deep-tissue massages and rolling out your muscles as well. Its foam padding mimics a foam roller—foam rolling has been proven to ease muscle tightness, soreness, and inflammation, and can even increase your joints’ range of motion. REEHUT’s yoga wheel comes in black, purple, light purple, pink, and cyan, with the cyan wheel available in a yoga wheel set. REEHUT’s yoga wheel set includes three wheels (6, 10, and a 12 inch wheel). Reviewers praise the REEHUT yoga wheel for being easy to use and adept at relieving chronic back pain. They also note that the wheel feels durable and the slip-resistant material holds up against floors and carpets. It’s worth remembering that there’s a bit of a learning curve to the REEHUT yoga wheel—many users say the wheel took some getting used to on the first try, but by the second use was a breeze—some even called it “life-changing.”
3. Pete’s Choice
Pete’s Choice’s yoga wheel is built with high-quality materials, including a thick layer of foam padding—and is quite affordable at just $26.87. This yoga wheel is lightweight, under three pounds, and its 12.6″ diameter means it’s the perfect size for the majority of poses. Pete’s Choice’s yoga wheel comes with a yoga strap, which can be used to increase flexibility and deepen stretches even further. As you age, flexibility declines, so it’s important to focus on flexibility in order to prevent injury and make everyday tasks easier to do. Using a tool like a yoga strap can help maintain your form and alignment during certain poses, and can offer you a stretch like no other. But a yoga strap is not the only added bonus that comes with Pete’s Choice’s yoga wheel—you’ll also get an eBook with instructions on performing 16 different yoga poses using your wheel. Reviewers insist that this wheel in particular offers bang for your buck. Even at such an affordable price, Pete’s Choice’s yoga wheel offers reliable support in a variety of yoga poses and relieves chronic pain for many users.
4. Overmont
Overmont’s yoga wheel comes in a 5-in-1 set containing an impressive variety of yoga props. Made from eco-friendly non-toxic materials, the Overmont wheel’s heat-adhesive technology means it’s supportive as well as slip- and sweat-resistant. At 13″ in diameter and 5.5″ wide, it’s ideal for a variety of poses, and can even support up to 550 pounds! Also included in the Overmont set are two yoga blocks. Using blocks to support your practice can enhance range of motion and help bring your awareness to any specific group of muscles. They’re especially helpful for beginners or those recovering from an injury, but can be used at all levels. The Overmont kit also includes a stretch band, which can be used similarly to a yoga strap to deepen stretches and improve flexibility. The final piece of the set is a yoga ring. Also used in pilates, this ring is designed to align with the curvature of your body. It can be used to modify or deepen stretches in a variety of poses and can be used to relieve muscle tightness and soreness. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned yogi, Overmont’s kit offers a variety of tools that form an effective “starter pack” to enhance your practice. Not to mention, the set is a bargain at just $36.99 for all five pieces!
5. ATIVAFIT
ATIVAFIT’s yoga wheel is a steal at just $19.99 (and ATIVAFIT offers a lifetime return guarantee if you don’t like it!). It’s one of the most durable yoga wheels—it can support up to 100kg (220 pounds)—meaning you can trust it to support you in even the most complex of poses. Made from eco-friendly materials, this yoga wheel is sweat-resistant. At around 13″ in diameter and 5″ wide, this wheel is the perfect size for versatile use in your practice. It comes in an array of color combinations to match the rest of your gear—black, purple, black and green, or blue and grey. The ATIVAFIT yoga wheel is also available to purchase in a three-piece yoga wheel set (featuring the classic 13″, 10.5″, and 6.5″ wheels). Reviewers praise the ATIVAFIT yoga wheels for their ability to reach places a foam roller can’t (i.e. between the shoulder blades, a commonly tight spot). They note that this wheel is perfect for relieving upper back pain after sitting at the office all day, and offers relief for chronic back pain. You can even use this wheel to prop up your feet for improved circulation!
6. UpCircleSeven Three Pack
The UpCircleSeven yoga wheel set includes three different sized yoga wheels, all with an 8mm thick layer of foam padding for the utmost support during your yoga practice. These wheels are ultra durable—the 12″ and 10″ wheels can support up to 550 pounds, and the six-inch wheel can support up to 330 pounds. UpCircleSeven yoga wheels are made with a patented design that conforms to your spine in order to provide customized relief. They offer a built-in non-slip textured grip, so you can trust these wheels to enhance your yoga practice on any surface. Not to mention, UpCircleSeven’s yoga wheel set is made with non-toxic, eco-friendly, recyclable materials. Reviewers rave about how this yoga wheel set has worked wonders on their back pain, calling the set “a small investment in your health.” Some even claim these wheels are helpful for more serious conditions, like herniated discs (but please consult your physician before self-treating any condition). This UpCircleSeven yoga wheel set is rated the #1 consumer favorite yoga wheel set on Amazon, and UpCircleSeven offers a 100% money back guarantee on the product, so this investment in your health is guaranteed to be worth it!
Conclusion
Finding the best yoga wheel for you depends on your needs as a yogi and what you’d like to get out of your yoga practice. Yoga wheels come in a variety of colors and sizes. Depending on the yoga pose you’re attempting, you might need a wheel of a particular size. Some are made with eco-friendly materials, and some offer particularly thick padding. Whether you’re looking to “foam roll” with your yoga wheel to relieve muscle tension and back pain or using it to support you during challenging poses like wheel pose or crow pose, a yoga wheel will certainly be a welcome addition to your next yoga session.
