What is The Beam by Nimbleback?

2 Canadian women had a dream… to live life without back pain. 

After years of experiencing bad posture, we found an ingenious solution to back, neck and shoulder tension. 

The Beam, a yoga-style tool designed to release, relax and restore the core with Nimbleback's simple stretches.

 

The Beam is a long rectangular yoga style tool that you will place along your spine while you stretch and breath.   The Beam is bendable and is available in a gentle & firm foam.  Travel beam is a firm foam.

The Beam is Chiropractor, Massage Therapist & Physiotherapists recommended and comes with an easy to follow instruction sheet, free online videos to help you reach your goals + 30-minute yoga class + 10-minute meditation.   

What's the big difference between the Gentle, Firm & Travel/Desk?    Which one will work for you?

The Nimbleback stretches and exercises are the same, but the feel is different between the gentle & firm foam beams. 

Our regular size beam comes in 2 foam densities:

Gentle Blue:  Great as a starter product for people new to stretching or core training.  Perfect for users who prefer a softer touch or who have less muscles tissue on their backs.  If you're somebody who wants something more restorative or relaxing you're going to want the gentle beam.   

the Beam Gentle Foam Nimbleback

 

Firm Green: Releases tension with stronger intensity as it is a more dense foam.  Recommended if you have a lot of muscles tissue or are really active and muscular.  Perfect for users who like a deep tissue massage and really want to feel like they are getting into those tight and tender spots.  The Firm Beam can also be used for balance exercises and releasing tension in the feet.   

The Beam firm Foam Nimbleback
Travel /Desk Firm:  Designed for travel but can be used in an office chair or on the couch.  Travel beam is only available in a FIRM foam density which is a green.  

 

The Beam Desk Beam Travel Stretch while you work working from home stretches

What is happening to your body when you use The Beam and what will it do for you? 

You will feel your shoulder blades sinking away from your body while they move towards the floor, you really want to think about yoga style deep belly breathing, inhale and then exhale.  Think about letting go and allowing gravity to help open up your chest. The Beam helps your shoulder blades fall to the floor, starting to release the muscle tension that you carry across your chest.  

Chest opener with The Beam

When you do not stand up straight and are hunched, your shoulders will move forward. Our users feel that their posture is improved and when they get off of The Beam they remember to stand up straight and keep their shoulders relaxed.

Every time you take a deep breath and relax, you will feel yourself sink into The Beam further while gravity is doing most of the work. Always remember to keep your shoulder blades towards the mat, it's really important to let the shoulder blades fall away from your back. 

The Beam feels like it forces you to be aware of your body while contracting those core muscles and forcing you to keep your head and shoulders back.   The Beam makes it easy for your posture to do what it should be doing!  

What if The Beam is too hard?  

You can lay a towel or blanket onto The Beam, this will soften the way it feels on your back and you can then work your way up to the firm as you get less tight. Many of our customers will purchase the combo pack and will start with the gentle beam and then work up to the firm as they get stronger.  We provide modifications for all skill levels.

What is the difference between The Beam and a Foam Roller? 

The difference between the roller is that you do need to have active muscles to stay on a roller and with The Beam you don't. You can really release, relax and restore while you do a simple stretch without having to exercise the muscles at the same time which is another great benefit of using The Beam. 

Who should be using The Beam? 

Anyone who has ever experienced tension should try The Beam.  If you are somebody that uses a computer or smart phone.  We all have bad habits that cause us to lean forward which causes tight muscles. If you are someone who is afraid of getting a hump from your forward posture, you will benefit from using The Beam.  The rest of your body relies on your core, so anyone who drives a lot, texts, teenagers with backpacks, athletes.  

Where can I use The Beam? 

The Beam is portable and easy to travel with and can be used at home, work, the gym, yoga class, injury and treatment facility, on a plane or in a car.  Use it on the floor, against a wall or in a chair. 

Can I use The Beam on an air plane? 

Yes.  The Travel Beam is similar to a backrest and will support your spine while you fly to help you relax and allow you to stretch when needed.  You can use your travel beam on an air plane . Especially if you are a nervous flyer, use it to relax. The Beam is really meditative and is a great tool to help you stretch.   The Beam also helps you go into your pressure points and gives you something to focus on other than what's that noise and what is the flight attendant doing.

Can you travel with the regular beam? 

Yes-it is portable and very bendable.   Put it in your suitcase and you can wrap your clothes around The Beam.

How is The Beam going to help your body? 

It's important to help both your body and mind, by doing a little bit of meditation at the end of the day or stretching on The Beam will help you release the stress of your day.  We offer a 10 -minute meditation on The Beam and a 30-minute yoga class that will help you build strength. You will release your tight muscles and feel rejuvenated after using The Beam.  There are a lot of benefits to using The Beam and you would be surprised at how much of a difference this little bar can make in your life.

the beam nimbleback the beam firm hannah dolling

What is the easiest exercise with The Beam?  

The Back Booster.   See instruction sheet.  

Your tense back muscles will release as your shoulder blades fall onto the floor and this is the simplest way to use The Beam.  When you are on the mat, The Beam is going to start just above your tailbone and you will leave a fist-width from your tailbone to The Beam and you're going to leave The Beam centred along your spine. You may want to lay onto The Beam slowly, then you basically breathe and just let your body fall.  Use gravity and your breathing to help your chest open and your shoulder blades fall.   

You will start to forget that The Beam is even there, it may feel like your normal posture and that you are lying flat on the floor.   We all have bad posture and are all hunched over, The Beam just puts you back into your natural position and The Beam really gives you a really deep stretch through your chest. Many users feel The Beam makes them more aware of their breathing.   The Beam will support your head and after 2 minutes, it may feel like it is not there anymore as you start to relax.  

how to use the beam

Can I use The Beam in a supportive chair?   

Yes.  You can use both the full-size beam and our travel beam in a chair.  The full-size beam can sometimes be too long while the travel beam can be supportive like a cushion.  Use it with an office chair while you are working and you can easily stretch to help open up your chest to relieve your tight muscles while sitting. 

 

the beam chair office desk beam travel beam nimbleback desk stretches

 

What is The Beam doing for you while in a Chair? 

The Beam is going to help your rounded shoulders.  Sitting with The Beam reminds you of your posture and encourages you to sit up straight and not hunch.  Most people do not know that they are hunching when sitting. using The Beam in a chair will help relieve the tension between your shoulder blades. 

The Beam Office Beam Desk BEam Nimbleback

 

Can you use The Beam in a wheelchair?  

We have not had feedback from our customers in wheelchairs but a wheelchair is similar to many chairs.  The Beam would work well to help the user release tension with movement after sitting for long periods of time. 

Can I use The Beam in the car?  

Yes.  The Travel Beam is similar to a backrest and supports your spine while driving or as a passenger.   The Beam will also help you not hunch while driving. 

Can I use The Beam on my bed? 

Yes.  We recommend using the firm version as your mattress will have some give.  

Can you use The Beam in a hospital bed? 

One of our customers had surgery and wrote in saying she has been laying in a hospital bed and is so tight from not moving and being active.   She has started to use The Beam in the morning and feels much better from laying for such a long period. 

Can I use The Beam while pregnant?

Depending on your comfort level and what trimester you are, The Beam can be used while pregnant by using it sitting up against a wall or on a chair/couch.  Before using The Beam while you are pregnant, Nimbleback recommends consulting a doctor.

How often do you use The Beam? 

Try to use The Beam every day and the beauty of it is that you can use it anywhere, anytime.    We recommend doing our 30-minute yoga class once or twice a week along with our 10-minute guided relaxation meditation. 

Can I go even further than the simple exercises provided with The Beam?

Yes.  Users can visit How To Use The Beam to learn more ways.  

Is The Beam okay to use with sciatica? 

Yes & No.  It depends on where the tension is coming from, stretching helps with sciatica but always talk to your healthcare professional.  Speak with your chiropractor, massage therapist or doctor. We do have chiropractors, massage therapists and physiotherapists that recommend The Beam to their patients for many different reasons.

We have a customer who has sciatica and just found out she had arthritis in her lower back.   When she uses The Beam it takes the pressure off her joints.

Is The Beam okay to use with a hernia? 

Talk to your health care professional. 

Is the sacrum the tailbone? 

No, it is the flat part above your bottom.  Click here for a yoga class that focuses on the Sacrum. 

What if you are really overweight?  What would the best density be? 

 It really is a personal preference.  If you are somebody with a lot of muscle tension, try the firm but if you're very sensitive and don’t like deep tissue massages, try the gentle.  

Should my head be on The Beam?

Yes your head should be on The Beam, that is why it is so long.   The travel beam is really good for you to sit in a chair but if you use it on the floor you can still rest your head on The Beam. 

What if I can’t get my head down on The Beam while on the floor? 

If you are tight and can't get your head down on the beam, put a pillow between The Beam and your head.

What are other ways to release tension?  

Try a massage, go to the spa, for a walk or run, sauna, hot tub, steam, meditation, yoga.

Why is a good back stretch important? 

It’s good because stretching helps release tension in your back muscles.   The Beam can help, if you don’t take care of your back, nothing else will feel good so take care of your core.   The Back Booster exercise reminds our customers of the benefits of corpse pose that is practised at the end of a yoga class.   

Why is stretching and relaxing the muscles important?   

When your muscles are too tight, you risk having an injury.  We have talked to athletes who try The Beam and when they get down onto the ground their wrists are about 3 inches from the floor.  They put so much energy into strengthening the muscles and give no thought to stretching. 

Should you do both stretching & strengthening?   

Both are an important parts of maintaining your core. 

Are your videos on How to Use The Beam free?   

Yes our videos are free because we really understand what it's like to be stuck at home feeling not our best.

Can seniors use The Beam?  

Yes. We have customers in their seventies and if you have trouble getting onto the floor you can use The Beam on the bed.   We suggest if you use it on the bed, use the firm because the give of the mattress counteracts the give. If you don't want to use it on the bed or floor, you can use it in a chair or against a wall.  We have a lot of options for you to get relief.

What inspired The Beam?

The Beam was inspired by yoga poses that focus on the back combined with breathing using a piece of foam. 

What is The Beam made of?

Polyethylene and EVA foam

How long does The Beam last?  

The Beam™ will soften over time. The expected life span of The Beam depends on the usage but we are confident that it will be your back’s partner for a long time.

Can you bend The Beam? 

The Beam can bend in many ways and can be stored in small spaces such as a suitcase. The Beam™ will resume its shape when taken out of the small space.  

What else should I know about The Beam? 

The Beam is latex-free, waterproof/sweat resistant and is made from a soft rubber/foam compound that supports your spine. The Beam™ can be used in your daily exercise routine and can be added to your strengthening and stretching exercises.

Why should I use The Beam by Nimbleback when I already use the foam roller?

The Beam™ is the foam rollers best friend, they compliment each other. The Beam™ by Nimbleback is different in the way that it allows the user to just release and relax as it is more stable than a foam roller.  The Beam by Nimbleback does not require the user to have stability and coordination.  

Is The Beam sweat resistant?

The Beam is waterproof and sweat resistant.  It is made from a closed-cell substance to protect any water from entering into it.

How do I clean The Beam?

The Beam can be cleaned with a yoga mat cleaner or soap and water.

Can The Beam can be used with other exercises? 

Nimbleback recommends adding The Beam™ into your regular exercise routine whether that be running, walking, swimming, yoga, hockey, baseball, cross-fit, gymnastics, foam rolling, fitness classes and any other activity you love to do to keep you moving.