Let’s Get Buff!

Let’s Get Buff!
Written by Gino Escalante

No, I don’t mean ‘get buff,’ like a disco pump. No, I don’t mean disco pump like that thing you do to make your arms look bigger before going out. When I say buff, I obviously mean car buff…for your muscles…it makes sense, trust me!

More than just for polishing a fancy sports car, a little buffing can go a long way. And there are two types of people reading this article right now. The first group already understands what I am talking about. The second should read on to learn all about the wonders of mobilizing with a buffer.

To be clear, I am indeed referring to the car buffer you are thinking about. This thing…or this one (if you want to get fancy) can be used to mobilize your body. Videos about this starting popping way a few years back, but I never bought into the idea until using things like the TheraGun.

The TheraGun is essentially a jackhammer used for mobility…it’s also loud like a jackhammer. There is also the Hypervolt, which is much quieter. But these suckers run at least $350, and I do not have time for those expensive shenanigans. After talking to a physical therapy friend of mine, he told me that he actually prefers car buffers and has used them on athletes during the games. All that, plus a $40 price tag meant that my wife was about to get a real weird surprise.

Like those other tools, the buffer is pretty self-explanatory. Place thing on muscles, move thing around, thing makes muscles feel good. Like most situations, it’s definitely better if you have a second player who can do the buffing onto you. But there is still plenty you can get from it on your own.

Sometimes a foam roller isn’t enough, but a kettlebell or LAX balls can be too painful. The buffer fits that middle ground perfectly because you can adjust the amount of pressure you provide without having to compromise the results. Are your quads too tight? Lay the buffer flat against the muscle tissue to ease the tension. Are your hammies ready for some ultra relief? Turn the buffer onto its side and get a more concentrated dose of mobility magic.

I have utterly destroyed my ankles with injuries, so my calves get super tight every time I do [place name of any activity here]. Getting the car buffer to rub out my shins and calves is a gift I can enjoy time and time again. Also, since my programming tends to be gymnastics heavy, I tend to use it to buff out my shoulders/pecs/lats at the end of a long day.

But not all is well in buffing paradise. Your mileage may vary based on how often you use it…and I guess…how dirty you are. But those with proper hygiene should be able to get plenty out of it. Just be sure to replace the pad if it starts changing color. You wouldn’t want to rub your muscles with a dirty sponge, right!? Please tell me I’m right.

I know it sounds absurd, but I’ll be damned if it’s not useful. If you think it’s too much, just rewind back to a time before you started mobilizing. Go ahead and think about what you would say if someone approached you about shoving lacrosse balls in all kinds of places to make yourself feel better (after the fact). This is the same thing.

The simple car buffer can bless you and your mobility goals with its simple-yet-effective design and budget pricing. So if you are in the market for a mobility tool that does a lot of the work for you, and it’s a hell of a conversation starter at a party, then look no further and start getting buff!

With love,

CG