Chirp Wheel Review: Shark Tank Fad or The Real Deal for Back Pain Relief?

The Chirp Wheel is one of the hottest items in self-massage and recovery tools. They call it the “World’s Simplest Back Pain Relief.”

If so, I need it! I began dealing with back pain relatively early in life, and I’ll do just about anything to keep it at bay.

I first thought this wheel was all hype (which is the case with many fitness gadgets), then I realized it uses an intelligent design and it’s actually an FDA-registered medical device. So I bought it and tested it.

Let’s find out if it works and if it makes sense for you!

What Is a Chirp Wheel?

The Chirp Wheel is a massage device and stretching aid built specifically for back pain. It’s also FDA-registered as a medical device, so you know that a lot of planning and research went into this product.

It looks like a wheel and tire, which is fitting, given that you roll on top of it. At first, I was pretty sure it was the exact same thing as a yoga wheel. But it’s not. (Well, they are similar, but not quite the same thing.)

It began on Kickstarter

In the early days, it was known as the “Plexus Pain Relief Wheel.” Descriptive, yet boring.

It launched on Kickstarter in 2018 as the “Plexus Wheel+” with the “World’s Simplest Back Pain Relief” slogan.

After the successful Kickstarter campaign, they moved on to Shark Tank.

Chirp Wheel on Shark Tank

In 2020, the Chirp Wheel team went on the TV show Shark Tank to pitch their company.

They landed a deal with Lori Greiner, who got them on QVC.

I imagine lots of people watching QVC suffer from back pain, so it made a lot of sense!

Now the Chrip Wheel is everywhere, even on Amazon.

But how does it work? And what does it do?

How to Use the Chirp Wheel

Using the Chrip Wheel is simple.

It’s one simple motion

To begin, place the Chirp Wheel on the ground (in the upright position so that it can roll freely).

Next, sit down on the floor with your back to the wheel. Your back should be up against the rubber, with the wheel between your shoulder blades and your spine lined up with the central groove. Your feet should be flat on the floor.

Then simply use your feet and legs to press yourself backward, elevating your body on top of the wheel. From here all you do is roll forward and backward over the wheel.

Start slowly, and focus on keeping your balance.

But that’s it. It’s as simple as stretching over a stability ball or foam rolling your back.

It’s simple, but not necessarily easy. This depends on your physical condition. It’s important to note that you do need some strength and flexibility to get into the position to use the wheel properly. It will take some balance, too!

Does the Chirp Wheel Really Work?

It’s almost too simple to use. So I was skeptical and wondered if the Chirp Wheel even worked. I thought it looked silly and figured it was just an overpriced yoga wheel.

Once I investigated, I quickly changed my mind and ordered a 3-pack to test out.

Though simple, it’s legit.

It is myofascial release. This is a proven technique, a common manual therapy people do. A lot of chiropractors with a sports medicine focus offer myofasical release as a service. Foam rollers and other massage tools provide a means of self myofascial release, but they don’t offer the back stretch that the Chirp does.

Going to see a qualified professional is smart. They know exactly how to stretch/manipulate the soft tissue to get the desired outcome, releasing the tension in your back muscles. But that can get expensive.

With the Chirp wheel, it has to compensate for the fact that the user is not a trained professional.

What does it do?

As you roll over the wheel, it targets the muscles along the spine. It stretches these muscles, allowing them to release tension.

(It’s likely that tight back muscles are causing your back pain.)

Only the Chirp is purpose-built to offer a back massage and myofascial release.

The entire width fits between your shoulder blades, but also, it has the patented “spinal canal” in the center, so it doesn’t press on your spine. It only presses into the muscles next to the spine.

What does it not do?

The Chirp does not put pressure directly on the spine. That’s a good thing. (Normal yoga wheels might, which makes them a bad choice if you’re suffering from back pain.)

Does the Chirp Wheel crack your back?

The Chirp Wheel is not designed to crack your back, but it’s certainly possible that will happen. Rolling back on the Chirp is similar to arching your back, a common back stretch that people use to crack their own backs.

Do chiropractors recommend the Chirp Wheel?

Chiropractors are experts on back pain relief and how to keep your back healthy, so that’s who I would want to talk to about this!

Here’s a review by Dr. Jeff Brown from Foundation Chiropractic:

You can find more Chirp wheel reviews by chiropractors on Youtube and Reddit.

Cutting through the hype

They make a big deal about how awesome the product is and why the spinal canal design sets it apart. There’s a lot of hype. (Understandably so – you won’t get on Shark Tank without it.)

And while I do appreciate the idea behind this product, I’m not going to hype it up.

In reality, I was a little disappointed when I received it. It’s built well, but the inner plastic piece is the same as in any yoga wheel. It’s only the foam padding around the perimeter that is contoured to create the spinal canal.

I think it’s fair to call it “a yoga wheel with shaped, contoured foam” or “a foam roller in a new shape.”

That said, what really matters is the result. This purpose-built product will likely help your back pain.

Chirp Wheel Alternatives

The Chirp Wheel is one of a kind. There are many similar products – foam rollers, yoga wheels, massage balls, etc. – but nothing quite like this.

Let’s compare the Chrip to these other options and see which choice might be best for your individual needs.

Chirp Wheel vs Yoga Wheel

The Chirp looks a lot like a yoga wheel. Here’s a Chirp Wheel pictured next to a Dharma Yoga Wheel:

They look very similar, but there is one key difference. And that is the custom-shaped foam used on the Chirp Wheel to avoid putting pressure on your spine. The Chirp is basically a yoga wheel, but with a center channel cut out for your spine.

A yoga wheel rolls right on your spine. The Chirp focuses just on the muscles along your spine, without touching the spine itself.

Both products would allow for stretching your back, from a skeletal perspective. But the Chirp wheel also stretches and massages your muscles.

(If you’re interested in this comparison, you’ll enjoy this detailed comparison of the Chirp Wheel vs the Dharma Yoga Wheel.)

The Chirp is also a bit wider, which gives you a more stable platform for your stretches.

Did I mention, the Chirp Wheel is the only wheel on the market that is FDA-registered as a Class 1 Medical Device?

Chirp Wheel vs Foam Roller

There are a couple big differences here. First, the Chirp is narrower. It’s 5″ wide. A foam roller is going to be at least 13″ wide.

That’s because the Chirp is purpose-built for your back. The narrower width allows the Chirp to focus pressure on your back muscles. It fits right between your shoulder blades.

Wider foam rollers are great. They are versatile – you can use them with pretty good success on most of your body. But there are specific situations where you need a more targeted tool. And one of those situations is, right along your spine. While a foam roller is good for your lats, it’s not the best bet for directly working your paraspinal muscles.

The second big difference is that there is an indented channel in the center of the Chirp, so that it doesn’t push directly on your spine. A foam roller – especially a dense one like the Rumble Roller – might poke right into your vertebrae.

Chirp Wheel vs Massage Track

The Massage Track doesn’t look much like the Chirp Wheel, but I’d argue it’s the best alternative. It can provide targeted pressure on your back muscles, and the balls naturally create a void that lines up with your spine.

But, the Massage Track doesn’t offer the stretching aspect that a wheel does.

I have reviewed the Massage Track and I like it, but it’s about the same price as the Chirp Wheel.

You’re probably only looking at a Chirp Wheel alternative in order to save money. Well, there is no generic version.

You could build your own DIY version based on a yoga wheel with some extra rubber strips, but that’s a hassle and probably won’t save you much money.

Maybe someday you’ll find a $3 version on AliBaba or AliExpress, but I prefer to reward the company that created this device. So I would buy a real Chirp Wheel.

If I was in my 20’s still, I wouldn’t care about the Chirp Wheel. I’d be fine with my foam rollers for warm ups and stretching. But I’m older now, and back pain is real!

Where to Buy the Chrip Wheel

You can buy direct from the GoChirp.com website.

They also sell on Amazon.

I have not seen any local stores carrying the Chirp Wheel, but I’ve heard that some Target stores and Dick’s Sporting Goods store have it in stock.

There are three different sizes, for varying levels of intensity. You can purchase individually or buy a 3-pack.

About the three sizes

Each size serves a different purpose.

The 12″ Chirp wheel is more gentle. It gives the best overall stretch.

The 10″ wheel provides more pressure while still offering a good stretch. The idea is to provide a middle ground, helping to ease the transition between the 12″ and 6″ wheels.

The 6″ wheel is meant for deep tissue work. It provides very targeted pressure for working specific muscles.

Price

The individual wheels are priced as follows:

12″ is $59.99
10″ is 49.99
6″ is 44.99

Or you can purchase all three together for $109.99.

You also get free shipping on orders over $99.

I consider the price to be reasonable, whether you look at this as a medical device or a self-massage/recovery tool.

Plus, I know that if you’ve had back pain, you’re probably willing to spend any amount of money on something that will help!

Realistically, $110 gets me one or two chiropractor appointments. So a 3-pack of these wheels for $109.99 is a no-brainer.

(I really only need the 12″ and 6″ sizes, but buying those ones individually would cost me $105. So getting the three-pack bundle is like getting the 10″ wheel for $5. So why not?)

Guarantee

They offer a 60-day satisfaction guarantee so you can return it if it doesn’t relieve your back pain. It’s a 100% Happy Body Guarantee.

“If your body isn’t 100% satisfied with the product within 60 days, send it back. No questions asked.”

They’ll give you a full refund and send you a prepaid return shipping label.

There is also a 10-year warranty on the product itself.

My final verdict is…

If you’re not dealing with back pain and stiffness, then some foam rollers and massage balls are more versatile tools to have at home. You don’t need to add a Chirp Wheel just because it’s a hot item.

But if you are dealing with back pain, it’s a great tool – totally worth the price.

Official website: www.GoChirp.com

Buy online: www.Amazon.com