Disclaimer: I received a CTM Band to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!
I haven’t run into many running induced injuries through the years… While I wasn’t quite convinced that I wanted to test this product for fear of ACTUALLY needing it, I am sure glad I took the leap!
As an active individual, I run into little niggles and issues from time to time. With the growing mileage I plan to run this year, I now have confidence that using tools like the CTM Band will keep my muscles happy!
The CTM Band was developed by a practicing sports chiropractor (and former D1 athlete) who specializes in working with active people. Through his personal experiences and formal education, Dr. Kyle Bowling is very familiar with the tools we are all using to help limit soreness and treat or prevent injuries – stretching, foam rollers, trigger point balls, and flossing tools. With so many tools to use, who has time for all of that?!
Based on Dr. Kyle’s extensive research on self-myofascial release (SMR), the uniquely designed CTM Band combines Compression, Tension, and Movement into one functional, dynamic tool! Unlike the other items mentioned above, the CTM Band is a single tool to help work out muscle soreness, break up scar tissue, increase range of motion, and speed recovery.
The CTM Band isn’t just another tool in my arsenal of recovery gear… The CTM Band is now my go-to recovery device! Check out the video at the bottom of this post to learn more about the CTM Band!
CTM Band | a recovery tool like no other
How To Use
The CTM Band is easy to use! Simply :
open the sealed packaging – I also use the package to store my CTM Band when I am not using it- unroll the length of the CTM Band in all of its glory – it is a long one!
- check out the attachments – the hard, plastic balls – they can be removed as needed depending on the are you are focusing on
- align the CTM Band attachments with the muscle area you are targeting – don’t align on your bones, that hurts, a lot…
- wrap the band tightly and securely around the area
- stretch and move the targeted muscle for 2 minutes
Done! Remove the band and feel the results!
My Experience
As I mentioned before, I don’t currently have many running induced issues, but I have been using the CTM Band on my “less than always perfect” areas. I have found that a combination of pre-habing my “trouble area” before and after my runs has helped significantly – and it only takes a couple minutes to feel the results!
Firstly, my shins get tight and sore. Using the CTM Band for a couple minutes before and/or after each run has made a big difference in the amount of tightness I have in this area! The CTM Band is easy to wear around my shins with all 4 attachments on the band.
Another area that I feel residual soreness post-run is in the back of my calves. I believe this is because I primarily have a mid-to-forefoot impact with the ground when I run. The CTM Band has been great to work the muscle soreness out!
Lastly, I have been using the CTM Band in the evening. The DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) can really put me out some days. Mixing up my usual “legs up the wall” and wrapping the CTM Band around my lower thighs, upper thighs, and calves has really helped calm my muscles and I have felt fresher in the morning because of it!
Plus, friends let friends use their CTM Band in a pinch…and then they become a believer of the wonderful pain-relieving power!
Not sure that the CTM Band will work for you? Check out their YouTube channel, the How-To’s on their website and the CTM Band blog for different ways to use the CTM Band and make the most of your muscle recovery! PLUS, use the discount code “CTMBIBRAVE” for 20% off you online order!
My fellow BibRave Pro’s also went through their experiences with the CTM Band on their review posts as well. Be sure to check them out (updated with links as they become available)!
Amanda Amanda C Amy S Kim Christine Christi
Connie Shannon Henry Janelle Karen Mike
Michael Jessica Danielle Dane Whitney Brad MaryJo
Check out CTM Band on their social handles for new/different ways to use the CTM Bands : Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram
weekly workouts : week 5 (mar 26)
Another week closer to my first full marathon pacing event! My nerves are creeping in a little… My biggest concern is whether or not I will I be able to be an effective pacer for the full marathon. I love pacing half marathons…but the full is another beast!
The training time between the 50K and the big 100M training cycle – next race is the Garmin Marathon pacing the 5:30 runners!
Monday
Scheduled : OFF
Actual : OFF
Starting out with a 2 hours drive to get to work on time isn’t how I would like to start my day…but it happens sometimes when we are in KC for the weekend. With rain all day, little man and I decided to forgo our evening walk…and my rest day appreciated it!
Tuesday
Scheduled : 5 miles
Actual : 5.5 miles
My alarm snafu didn’t keep me from meeting up with Angie for our 5-mile loop! My legs are feeling fresh (rest day brags!) and I think that using the CTM Band after my runs is starting to pay off!
Wednesday
Scheduled : 8 miles
Actual : 5.5 miles + 2.5 miles
After a late night and restless sleep, I didn’t want to get out of bed – so I stayed and cuddled up to the hubs ♥ Once I couldn’t put off getting up any longer, I got little man around and packed up my lunch run bag. I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do today (since I won’t be able to get in 8 miles over my lunch hour)…but I decided to do my interval run! The roads and trail are a little wet but it wasn’t too bad!
Once we got home for the evening, I loaded up little man and leashed up the pup and we went out to finish up the day with 2.5 “easy” miles ♥
Thursday
Scheduled : 5 miles
Actual : 5 miles
Morning miles for the win! Through the run, my running buddy started complaining of some leg pain – so I told her to come home with me and I would help get it worked out! I introduced her to the CTM Band and after a couple minutes, she is hooked!
Friday
Scheduled : 2 miles
Actual : 2 miles
After a long day at work, little man, the pup and I headed out for a couple miles to finish up the day!
Saturday
Scheduled : 20 miles
Actual : 20 miles
Not every 20-miler is going to be “fun” and today felt hard…harder than I would have liked, but we got it done! My new FlipBelt Crops worked out great and I can’t wait to keep testing them – my key, phone, gum, and snack were all safely stashed in my waistband. ♥
If you read my Runfessions last week, you would know that I planned on heading out to get my 20 around 3 am – the hubs works on Saturday and I would rather get in all the miles before he needs to get ready. My FIL read my post and told me no…ha! So instead, I left closer to 5 am to meet up with the group run a couple miles away (starting at 5:30 am) and then just run until I hit my 20!
After one group run lap, I didn’t feel like doing another…I was brainstorming ways to make the miles happen without using the same route. I am not sure why…it just seemed easier that way. My running buddy (also her 20-miler) and I stuck together and tried to finish up as early as we could since she had an Eater egg hunt to prep for a couple hours later… We finished up around 9:30 am and we are both glad that is behind us! Bring on the taper!
Sunday
Scheduled : 5 miles
Actual : OFF – Happy Easter!
Weekly Miles : 48 miles
Training Miles : 219 miles
Annual Miles : 560 miles (goal = 2,018 in 2018)
Next Week’s Projected Workouts
Bring on the taper!
Monday- OFF
Tuesday- 5 miles
Wednesday- 6 miles
Thursday- 5 miles
Friday- 2 miles
Saturday- 12 miles
Sunday- 4 miles
Check out these awesome run-spiring linkups this week :
Weekly Wrap MotivateMe Monday
Weekly Training Recap Tuesday’s on the Run
Wild Workout Wednesday Running Coach’s Corner
How did your training week go? What are you training for?
I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment and start a conversation!
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livinglovingrunner 
I’m intrigued by the CTM band! Can you run with it to loosen up some tight spots?
Looks like you are doing a great job with your training! Yes, prehab is essential! I’ve been really bad about the foam roller and now that I’m picking up speed again, I need to get back on it. Hurts so good!
Thanks for linking and have a fantastic week!
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I haven’t tried running with it, but I am sure you could! I will totally try that this week… I wouldn’t think to run very far with it on, because if you are wearing it tight enough, your leg might start to hurt 🙂
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Great review of the CTM band! I’m testing it out as well but I haven’t tried it on my shins yet…it’s amazing how you can already feel the difference!
I am sure you will do great pacing the 5:30 runners!
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I think it is pretty awesome the “little” time it takes for my muscles to feel way better! The shins are. MUST if you are tight there…
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Well I have never heard of this band before! I am definitely intrigued. I would definitely give it a try
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It is pretty amazing how good my muscles can feel with just a couple minutes!
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Wow that CTM band looks very cool! I’ve never seen anything like it but I’m all about myofascial release. I’d love to try it!
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Oh yes! It is amazing how simple and effective it is!
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I regret not signing up to try out this product. Hopefully they will offer it again because it looks like every runner should have one.
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Totally! It is so simple and functional.
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Thanks for the information on the CTM band. I’m so glad your FIL read your Runfession post and intervened with that planned 3am runl. That would definitely make for a long day! Great job on getting in those miles any way you could. Thanks for linking!
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I am just lucky they already planned on being closer to town that weekend…rather than 2 hours away they would be 30-40 minutes away. Having family closer can be good sometimes 😉
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Thank you for sharing thiis
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