Sidekick Tool Review Summary
Sidekick Tool
Having personally had great success using the Sidekick tools, I highly recommend these products for any athlete looking to improve their muscle recovery from the comfort of their own home!
4.8
The Good
Beautifully designed, extremely high quality, super durable.
Great range of implements for different use cases/body parts.
Extremely helpful educational videos that teach you how to muscle scrape yourself.
Significantly more affordable than other IASTM tools!
The Bad
Would be nice to be able to buy a full kit/bundle.
Recommended For
I highly recommend the Sidekick tools for any athlete looking to speed up recovery after challenging workouts or injuries.
Sidekick Tool Review – Do These Tools Work & Which Is Best?
I’ve been playing around with some of the Sidekick muscle scraping tools for the last few weeks now and it’s safe to say I’m a little obsessed…
Recently I’ve been doing a lot of arm wrestling training, which has resulted in some serious wrist/ulnar related issues in my right arm…
Having tried static stretching to no avail, I decided to try muscle scraping as it seemed like the most practical at-home muscle recovery method.
In this article we’re going to take a look at each of the Sidekick muscle scraping tools, how they work, what my personal results have been, and I’ll also help you decide which tool is right for your needs as an athlete.
Let’s begin!
How I Use The Sidekick Muscle Scraping Tools
As mentioned, I’ve got a super tight right forearm which is causing some issues with certain pronation/supination movements that have featured in my training of recent.
Every few days I’ve been using my Sidekick Curve tool for 10-15 minutes before bed to loosen up the soft tissue on my forearms.
The benefits of muscle scraping are plentiful, with the main ones being improved range of motion and reduced soreness, exactly what I’m looking for to fix my forearm issues!
After every leg day I’ll also give my VMO’s a bit of attention – I’ve found 10 minutes of scraping my quads to be quite an effective (and more convenient) replacement to my usual hour-long massages.
The Curve tool definitely isn’t ideal for large muscle groups like the thighs – the Bow tool is a far more effective option – however each of the smaller tools will do a half decent job as well.
How Often Can You Use Sidekick Tools?
You can use your Sidekick tool every day, but it’s best to avoid hitting the same muscle group too frequently. Muscle scraping every 2-4 days per muscle group is fine.
Do The Sidekick Tools Actually Work? How?
Muscle scraping (or instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization) is not only very safe but has been proven to increase blood flow, reduce scar tissue, suppress pain, and increase range of motion.1https://blog.sidekicktool.com/the-evidence-and-science-behind-gua-sha/
Each of these benefits make muscle scraping one of the most effective ways to enhance muscle recovery.
The Sidekick tools make this type of therapy not only really affordable, but super convenient and practical – and far more enjoyable than alternatives like foam rolling!
So whether you’re an athlete or bodybuilder, the Sidekick tools are going to be super beneficial by allowing you to train harder and more frequently.
Which Sidekick Tool Is Right For You?
Sidekick currently have a catalog of 5 different products, each with a slightly different purpose…
Let’s take a closer look at each of these to help you decide which Sidekick tool is ideal for you…
Sidekick Curve Tool Review
The Sidekick Curve tool is the one I’ve got and it differs from each of the other Sidekick tools in that it’s made from stone instead of stainless steel.
Most traditional Gua Sha tools are made of stone and they’re quite a bit more affordable than the stainless steel tools.
Since the Curve is made of stone, this means it’s porous which means bacteria can embed itself on the tool, making it slightly less hygenic than the stainless steel tools.
For this reason, the Curve tool is best for personal use and probably shouldn’t be shared around too much.
Since it’s made of stone, it’s quite a bit more fragile than the steel tools. If you drop it, there’s a chance it’ll crack…
But don’t worry! All Sidekick Curve tools come with an accidental damage warranty so they’ve got you covered if you damage it!
Sidekick Bow Tool Review
The Sidekick Bow tool is my top recommendation for the vast majority of athletes out there…
It’s significantly larger than the other scrapers at 19″ in length and has handles on either end which allows you to target the quads and hammies really effectively.
This is much easier to use and far less painful than foam rolling, so it’s a great post-workout option after any tough leg session.
Being made of stainless steel, this thing is practically indestructible and comes with a lifetime warranty!
Sidekick Swerve Tool Review
The Sidekick Swerve tool is perhaps the most popular option and makes for a great all-rounder.
You can use the Swerve on virtually any surface: arms, neck, shoulders, chest, feet, and even your legs.
It’s also made of stainless steel, making it far more durable and hygienic than the Curve tool.
The Swerve is also super affordable making it a great entry-level tool for anyone looking to get their feet wet with muscle scraping.
Sidekick Echo Tool Review
The Sidekick Echo tool is a more heavy-duty, slightly larger version of the Curve/Swerve tool.
It’s longer and heavier and does a better job at getting to those hard-to-reach places.
The Echo is the most versatile and most effective option and is a particularly great choice for therapists/practitioners or athletes looking to scrape multiple times per week.
It’s only slightly more expensive than the Swerve tool and comes with a more ergonomic anti-fatigue grip.
Sidekick Eclipse Tool Review
The Sidekick Eclipse tool is designed to be used on the lower legs and feet, making it one of the best muscle scraping tools for plantar fasciitis.
The curved edges do a particularly good job on the calves and tibialis anterior, and the corners work really well on the bottoms of the feet.
For anyone suffering from plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis, or any other lower leg injuries or tightness, the Eclipse is a fantastic option.
Sidekick Tool Alternatives
Not sold on Sidekick yet? Let’s take a quick look at some of the alternatives on the market…
Graston Technique Instruments
The Graston Technique is another term for muscle scraping or IASTM and many physical therapists will go for the official Graston instruments because of their quality stainless steel design and the name brand.
While the Graston tools are fantastic and do an excellent job, they’re extremely expensive costing slightly more than $2,000 for the set of 6!
For most of us, this simply isn’t affordable and having a full set of tools likely isn’t necessary to achieve great results.
Stickon Muscle Scraping Tool Set
A more affordable option is the Stickon Muscle Scraping Tool Set which contains 8 unique implements, all of which are made of quality stainless steel.
For a fraction of the cost of the Graston Tools, the Stickon set is certainly a decent alternative.
Are The Sidekick Tools Worth It?
Overall I’m a huge fan of the Sidekick muscle scraping tools.
IASTM treatment is usually pretty expensive and visiting a clinic isn’t particularly practical…
Sidekick make muscle scraping an affordable and convenient option for athletes of all levels.
I’ve already started to notice massively improved range of motion and reduced soreness in my right arm and I’ll be continuing to scrape regularly!
Also be sure to check out my list of the 7 best muscle scraping tools for 2023!
