I don’t think I’ve met anyone yet – runner or not – who hasn’t tried a muscle rub of some description during their lifetime. It seems like most ultra runners will have it on their ‘Subscribe & Save’ option with a certain large retailer. It’s one of those go-to creams that will always help in the ongoing misery of treating sore and stiff muscles.
It’s also a cream that I use frequently to target muscle aches and pain in my lower back. I tend to use it in conjunction with other injury recovery methods (hot water bottle, paracetamol, back massager, etc). So this is also where I tried out the Ultimate Performance Heat Rub balm. As it states on the box it provides warming therapy relief in a squeezable 100ml tube.
It comes in an orangey-red colour, it’s waxy to the touch and as it warms to your fingers it spreads out well over my skin. Yes it still has the same potent deep heat smell but definitely not as overpowering as the cheaper options. Plus I like that I can see where I’ve applied the balm as it stays a light orange colour.
It was very quick acting for me. I used it on my calves several times, pre and post running. I also used it on my lower back and massaged it in well. Overall I found that it helped to the edge off aching my muscles, it had a pleasant warming sensation and also helped pre-running to get rid of some residual muscle tension.
I’m not sure if on it’s own that it will take-away total pain in an area, but using the Ultimate Performance Heat Rub definitely reduced the intensity of my muscle soreness in the days after a run.
Therefore it’s a definite must-have in the race kit.
