All Terrain Recovery Rub

Posted: 01/22/2007 In Category(s): Reviews :: Product Reviews

Most athletes, be they weekend warriors, serious rock jocks, die-hard club enthusiasts, committed adventure racers, focused trail runners, or pick a sport of choice, find that sore muscles and joints become part of the training package at some point.

For the SNEWS® California-based team, ultra- and distance running is a passion and, after two years of serious training with races from shorties to 50K and 100 miles added to other forms of active weekend entertainment, we've encountered our share of cramps, muscle strains, minor tweaks and the occasional revolt of a muscle or joint. It is our opinion that while no pill or salve replaces a good, regular regimen of stretching and proper strengthening exercises, there's a time and a place for a warming rub that can calm barking muscle fibers.

We've tried many such ointments and potions over the years, but few has performed as well for our team as the All Terrain Recovery Rub.

Under active ingredients, the label lists menthol at 5 percent. That would account for the delicious cooling effect the salve has upon contact, as well as the decidedly fragrant but not overpowering hit upon the nose. Now, we also know that All Terrain can't list some very active ingredients as, well, active, without the wrath of the FDA upon them. So a host of other tongue twisters are called “inactive,” although some would claim they are decidedly not so passive. Inactive ingredients listed on the label include: almond oil, arnica, caprillic-capric triglycerides, ceteareth-20, cetyl alcohol, cinnamon oil, citric acid, dimethicone, glycerin, kava kava extract, methylparaben, olive oil, propylparaben, sweet clover leaf extract, shea butter, steareth-2, and water.

Cinnamon oil provides a gentle feeling of warmth on the skin, which contrasts nicely with the cooling of the menthol. Arnica extract is a natural analgesic that is said to help relieve pain from bruises and sprains and is sold commonly in natural health stores. Kava kava root extract is also a natural remedy for pain relief. Shea butter offers a creamy feeling.

In more than a year of use, the SNEWS® team has massaged numerous tubes of Recovery Rub into sore muscles, after a minor sprain or pain, and as a preventative measure before races and hard workouts on muscles that are still healing from mild pulls. While there is no way to clinically say the rub works healing wonders or not, we can state with certainty -- at least as much certainty as a year of practical experience allows – that  no other rub or salve has worked so well and so quickly to sooth and to help elicit a feeling of well-being and promote healing, while still feeling good on the skin and not leaving an over-annoying fragrance.

We especially like that the formulation is not greasy, and that it rubs into the skin quickly and easily, leaving behind no residue. The heat provided is not overwhelming, and yet is effective, although we wouldn’t mind if it warmed just a wee bit more. The odor is mild and quite pleasant – no, it won’t scare off people two aisles over in the grocery store.  Bottom line, none of our team leaves home without a tube in the workout bag or travel kit.

SNEWS® Rating: 4.5 hands clapping (1 to 5 hands clapping possible, with 5 clapping hands representing functional and design perfection)

Suggested Retail: $10 for 3 oz. tube

For more information: www.allterrainco.com

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