Please Note: This giveaway has ended – check out the post! If you did not win but are still interested in Infinity Strap you can get 15% off at Infinity Strap with the code fifteen or check out Infinity Strap at Open Sky where they have some special deals including 3 straps/DVD for $42 – $45.
My friend Ken was in town and we went for a run. He said something that was music to my ears, “you should check out the my friend Amir’s yoga strap for your blog.” Ken is an artist and he explained that his friend Amir, who is also an artist, created this really cool yoga strap that he thought would be awesome for runners, too.
I went right home and checked out the Infinity Strap on the internet. The Infinity strap is a yoga strap that is shaped like a figure eight or infinity sign. Amir, Ken’s friend, practices yoga frequently, but like many of us, he uses props to increase his flexibility. He was in class one day and was using a traditional yoga strap and realized what he needed was a strap that was smaller and not open-ended. He went home and looked for what he wanted online. He realized that it did not exist. The Infinity Strap was born.
Ken hooked me up with Amir to chat about the Infinity Strap for runners. Amir is a self-proclaimed perfectionist. He explained that he took great pains to perfect the design and materials for the Infinity Strap. He thought that traditional yoga straps were too long, cumbersome and was frustrated by the metal or plastic buckles being uncomfortable to use and often loud.
As his website explains:
“The Infinity Strap™ and the Infinity Strap STRETCH™ are designed to solve the problems of other kinds of straps by providing an elegant, simple, beautiful and safe alternative. The design of the Infinity Strap™ and Infinity Strap STRETCH™ is a dual loop with a subtle twist at the center, forming a shape of an endless figure 8, which is illustrated by the timeless symbol of infinity, or ∞. This design serves multiple purposes. Because of the subtle twist in the design, each loop always stays open, making it easy to slip over one’s hand or foot. The twist also makes it very easy and natural to form a good grip, following the natural contours of the body. It also distributes the pressure away from one’s fingers more broadly over one’s hand and wrist. “
There are two kinds of straps, the original and the STRETCH version. The original is made of the same material as most yoga straps – a 1.5 inch wide heavy-duty cotton webbing. It is pre-washed and available in three sizes and in a variety of colors. The Infinity Strap STRETCH™ is made of a 1.5′ high tech, high resistance hybrid webbing material that stretches to a point. It comes in four sizes and two colors.
Amir sent me small and medium STRETCH straps and a large original strap to try, as well as, an introductory video. I enlisted Maureen, my favorite Pilates instructor and Pilates for Runner Instructor, to help me test these out. We ordered her a few straps, as well.
Maureen worked in the Infinity Straps into some of our Pilates exercises and we went through the yoga video and a series of stretches. Our favorites were:
1. Use the Infinity strap around the arms above the elbows to improve stability for plank, downward dog and Chaturanga. I felt like I could stay in plank for ages! I think it is also helpful in practicing the correct form for the Chaturanga push up as the arms remain in the correct position with the extra support. I will definitely use it for improving these postures.
2. Use the Infinity Strap around the wrists behind the back for better form in shoulder openers. The use of the small strap for me helped me with my form and posture and helped me feel the back muscles that Maureen was reminding me that I should feel.
3. Use the Infinity Strap around the foot for single leg hamstring stretches and IT band stretches that you would normally use a Theraband for. I liked that I could either loop the strap around my foot or put my foot in the loop and I could grip the strap closer to the junction point as I loosened up.
Maureen created a brief video and instructions for a few stretching exercises that she likes with the Infinity Strap. Check it out on her blog HERE.
As we went through the exercises in the warm up and stretching for Pilates for Runners, we realized that there were any number of ways we could use the straps. We used small, medium and large straps for a variety of purposes. We liked the quality, feel and the fact that the straps are easy to use and store. They are also machine washable. The introductory yoga video was easy to follow and it clearly explained how to use the straps in a yoga practice.
Check out this video for a more formal introduction:
and there are some great videos on the Infinity Strap You Tube channel.
I can see a ton of uses for the Infinity Strap for runners and Pilates – want to see for yourself? Amir has offered to send one lucky reader the Infinity Strap of his/her choice and an instructional DVD. You can enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below. Please don’t forget to click the “I entered” or similar button on each entry. If you already like my page on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter, click that button on the Rafflecopter and get credit! The giveaway is open from Thursday 6/13 to Wednesday 6/19. Winner will be selected and announced on 6/20. Only valid for participants in the US at this time.
Please Note: This giveaway has ended – check out the post! If you did not win but are still interested in Infinity Strap you can get 15% off at Infinity Strap with the code fifteen or check out Infinity Strap at Open Sky where they have some special deals including 3 straps/DVD for $42 – $45.