by James - This article may contain affiliate links.
You might’ve heard about yoga wheels, whether you’re a social media user or a yogi. While these yoga props have been around for years now, they have recently gained popularity among yoga practitioners, athletes, and celebrities. You should find the one that’s the best fit for you before purchasing a wheel, especially if you are a beginner. So what size yoga wheel is best?
The best size yoga wheel for beginners is the large size because the small size puts a lot of pressure on the back muscles and needs high levels of flexibility. The medium size is ideal for focused movements, while the large is better for deep poses and backends.
Read on as we guide you through the process of finding and purchasing the right yoga wheel for you.
See the products below if you are in a hurry to see the best yoga wheels to do various stretches.
Contents
Yoga Wheel Sizes ?
Yoga wheels are circular-shaped props designed to shape the contours of your body and lengthen the hard-to-reach muscles, such as your neck, shoulders, chest, spine, hip flexors, etc.
They generally come in three sizes: small, medium, and large. Choosing the right size of a yoga wheel depends on your practice levels and needs.
Large
The largest wheel is about 12-13 inches tall and about 5 inches wide.
This size is ideal for deeper poses and backbends and works for yoga beginner poses and advanced poses.
Medium
These yoga wheels are slightly smaller than the large ones, 10-inch high and the same width.
This size is ideal for more focused moves and smaller people (under 5 feet tall).
Small
A small wheel is used to release fascia and target specific muscles, similar to a foam roller.
It can also be used as a support under your body when doing certain poses.
What You Should Consider Before Buying A Yoga Wheel ?
Although Yoga wheels look extremely simple and similar, they’re pretty complicated in how they work.
They vary in material, durability, size, weight load, and prices ranging from $30 to $100.
Before buying a yoga wheel, there are a few things you need to consider:
Purpose
Yoga wheels come in a wide variety of qualities, each serving a different purpose, so you should consider what kind of exercise you will be performing when choosing one.
Do you want to use it for pain relief (neck or back pain), increase your flexibility, or balance training?
As an example, these are the two things that matter if you want to do balance exercises:
1. Durability
Most yoga wheels can hold 400-500 pounds (180-226 kg).
Some props can hold your entire weight when standing or sitting on them, while others are suitable for milder exercises only.
Balance exercises require the most weight endurance because you’re going to stand or sit on one.
2. Width
The standard width for a yoga wheel is five inches.
Still, you may find a yoga wheel six inches wide or more.
Small wheels vary from five to six inches in width, ideal for balancing poses.
Level of Training
To choose the most fitting yoga wheel, you need to know how advanced you are and how much pressure you’re willing to put on your body.
Here are three things that depend on the intensity of your exercises:
Size
There are three sizes of yoga wheels, each used for a different purpose.
The standard yoga wheel is the large one,12’’ in diameter.
We recommend starting with the large wheel if you are a beginner and working your way down to the medium and smaller ones.
While the medium size is best for more focused poses, small-sized yoga wheels offer the deepest stretches and highest levels of pressure on the back.
They’re great for targeting particular muscles. Therefore, they require the most flexibility.
Small yoga wheels help you do stretches, balance poses, and go deeper into your yoga practice.
There are also plus-size yoga wheels, created for very tall people or advanced yogis who want extra-deep massage and stretches.
You can see an overview of the three sizes in the video below:
Padding
Yoga wheel padding varies from thin to thick.
Yoga wheels offer a great back massage, but bending your back can be quite unpleasant for beginners.
To prevent back injury and painful sensations, go with thicker padding because the spine is better cushioned.
For example, cork paddings look natural, stay grippy when wet, and are antimicrobial.
At the same time, foam paddings are sweat-resistant and non-slip.
Some manufacturers even add a leaf vein texture to the surface for extra grip.
Shape
Yoga wheels can have different shapes other than circular to help beginners learn the moves, and one of them is the elliptical double radian design.
Designed with two different surfaces – one round for a deeper backbend and one flat for muscle release and beginner use – this shape offers two different functions.
Although the shape is different from the usual, you can still perform the same moves, improving balance, flexibility, and posture.
Material
Yoga wheels are available in various materials, but they’re mostly made of plastic (PVC or ABS), and a limited number are cork or wood.
For example, if you want to go for a durable and cheap material, ABS is your best bet, but it’s not eco-friendly.
Wooden frames are the best eco-friendly choices, but they’re not as durable and can’t handle heavy loads.
Best Yoga Wheels ?
Here are some great Yoga Wheels to go for if you are looking to get one. These are high-quality products that come in various sizes depending on your needs.
UpCircleSeven Yoga Wheel
It’s no wonder why UpCircleSeven is one of the best yoga wheels.
This brand offers multiple stunning styles, colors, and materials for a great price.
Although the product is slightly more expensive than other options, it’s worth the investment, especially if you weigh more than the average person.
Its PVC-free design gives it the ability to withstand 550 pounds of weight without flexing.
Some customers have complained about the wheel’s stability, saying that it’s hard to balance and slips frequently.
So, if it’s your first time using a yoga wheel, you may need a bit of practice to get the hang of it.
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- Has an 8mm thick, sweat-proof padding
- Comes in different sizes and colors
- Highly durable
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- It has no grooves for your spine.
- Not beginner-friendly
Risefit Dharma Yoga Wheel
Risefit yoga wheels are one of the strongest on the market.
They have been tested to withstand 1,000 pounds, more than any other yoga wheel.
The design makes the wheel grippy, and it’s made of high-quality eco-friendly foam without any PVC.
The manufacturer is certain about the quality of their product that they’ve included a three-year guarantee.
If you’re looking for a bargain, you can buy the three-wheel pack for a few extra dollars.
It includes the 6, 10, and 12-inch wheels altogether.
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- Can support up to 1000 lbs
- It is made of TPE foam, which is sustainable
- Comes in different colors and patterns
- Has a 3-year warranty
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- The padding is a bit thinner than the UpCircleSeven yoga wheel.
Seigla Basic Yoga Wheel
Seigla Yoga wheels fall on the more affordable end of the spectrum.
They have a textured moisture-proof coating of TPE foam and a core of PVC. The coating is free of chemicals, dyes, and phthalates.
It also has antimicrobial properties and is sweat-resistant.
It offers similar benefits to cork because of its antimicrobial properties.
While it may not offer many style options, this wheel will get the job done and do it reliably.
It supports up to 600 pounds of weight and comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee.
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- It can take up to 600 lbs
- Lower price compared to other similar products
- TPE Antimicrobial and sweat-proof coating
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- Doesn’t have a color variety
- Some have reported a chemical smell
Body Wheel Yoga Wheel
This is a crossover between yoga wheels and foam rollers because it’s made of solid EVA foam.
The Body Wheel is a unique version of the hollow Dharma wheel. On its body, it has sharp cutouts, so it’s easy to grab.
The wheel can be used the same way as the other wheels, except it can be flipped over and used as a bolster.
They come in diameters of 9, 12, and 15 inches and are lightweight, slightly wider than the regular ones (about 7 inches).
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- Varies in size
- Easy to transport
- You can use it for different practices (sideways too)
- Has cutouts for better grip
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- Comes in limited colors
Pete’s Choice Dharma Yoga Wheel
The 13-inch Ultimate Dharma Yoga Wheel from Pete’s Choice is a budget-friendly option for beginners and yogis.
This yoga prop is solid and durable with an ABS material covering and a foam padding of 6.35mm.
Designed to hold up to 350lb of weight, We do not recommend that you jump on it excessively.
Peter’s choice offers more than just a quality product at a reasonable price.
Every purchase comes with a free eBook with 16 yoga wheel poses and a free yoga strap to complete your flexibility routine at home.
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- ABS plastic rigidly padded with foam
- High durability
- Suitable for all heights
- It can take up to 350lbs
- Has a lifetime warranty
- Comes with a free Ebook and bonus yoga strap
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- Only one style is available
- You can’t use the wheel for intense exercise (e.g., jumping on and off the wheel)
UpCircleSeven Yoga Wheel Set – 3 Pack
If you haven’t decided on what size to buy, you can buy a UpCircleSeven yoga wheel set containing three different sizes (12, 10, and 6 inches).
These yoga wheels are sturdy ABS and can support 550 pounds (the biggest size).
They have an 8mm padding which provides the perfect cushion for the spine.
The set also comes with a PDF with a pose guide to start your practice right away.
UpCircleSeven will also give you a full refund if you’re not satisfied with the product.
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- Thick padding
- Can withstand 330 – 550 lbs
- Sweat-Resistant
- Quality Assurance
- 3 Different styles
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- Price
- Refund isn’t cheap to send back
Bottom Line ?
Yoga wheels offer many benefits, but they aren’t suitable for everyone.
For example, the yoga wheel may not be the best prop for those seeking a restorative practice.
In other cases, a yoga wheel is an excellent investment since it allows you to enjoy a good massage at home and helps you with your backbends.
Besides, your spine will gradually become more mobile and flexible, so you won’t have to rely on any other hard exercises.
if you enjoyed this post, see our post on stretches that are not yoga for even more tips.
Last update on 2023-09-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
