After recent crashes, resulting in the usual bumps and bruises, and a few long slogs in the cold, the fantastic range of sports rubs from Nature’s Kiss have offered specific relief.

The range of creams and rubs are entirely natural, and developed using active herbal ingredients, specifically for use by cyclists. They offer soothing pain relief for active individuals whether it be for aching muscles, bruising from injury or the cold conditions we drag ourselves out to train in. As well as recovery products, the range offers highly effective rubs which prime muscles prior to activity.

In the name of product testing we undertook the tough task of having our legs massaged as we tested a few products in the Nature’s Kiss range…and very nice it was too!

Chafe-Ease

When you’re spending an increasing number of hours in the saddle, it really is important to protect sensitive areas which may be prone to irritation. Nappy rash and chafing, which can often occur after time on the bike, can become incredibly uncomfortable and this product can alleviate such irritation.

This thick and smooth body lubricant protects and heals areas prone to chaffing or irritation during activity. It also works as a great all round moisturizer too. It’s water washable and cares for leather and synthetic padding.

Ingredients include extracts of Calendula Officinalis, Hypericum Perforatum (St John’s Wort) and essential oils of Tee Tree and Lavender, all of which are soothing on dry damaged and sensitive skin, nappy rash, cracked fingers and heels.

This offers fantastic relief for the inevitable chafing we’ve all probably experienced on the bike or the chapped fingers we acquire through the winter months. An essential product for any cyclist.

Hotstuff

Now, it really wasn’t hard to find the perfect conditions to try this product in. The protective warm-up rub uses essential oils of Eucalyptus, Cinnamon and Menthol, and Capiscum oleo resin to retain heat in your muscles where mud, cold, water and rain would otherwise draw it away. The more you rub the hotter it gets and it acts as a barrier to the conditions which could compromise performance.

So, I set out on the bike on a few typical British mornings throughout February and got rained on, caked in mud and generally quite cold. All this, of course, was made a lot less painful by the Nature’s Kiss, Hotstuff, which the more you use, just gets hotter!

So, when it’s cold, wet and windy and hard to drag yourself out, heat things up and make those winter miles a lot more comfortable.

Activate

Whenever I used to turn up to a track meeting as a child I was always overwhelmed by the smell of warm up rubs, it became a given that that smell would mean that there were a number of smooth, often tanned and immaculately glistening legs close by. I, along with a lot of others I expect, associate such rubs with elite riders, and those who are putting a final touch on their already polished fitness. However…having now tried ‘Activate’ I’m convinced that such products are definately not exclusive to only the best athletes but to anyone who participates in cycle racing at any level, to reduce risk of injury.

This really is the perfect final touch before a race. Rub activate briskly into muscles before activity to optimise warm up and help reduce chance of injury. For optimum benefit this rub can be used in warmer conditions or indoors, so perfect for riding on the track.
Essential oils of Peppermint, Rosemary, Lemon and Lemon Grass help this fast penetrating cream to heighten awareness through aromatherapy benefits, providing a rather nice, tingling sensation.

Herbal Relief

Nature’s Kiss Herbal Relief cream uses ingredients of Arnica, Hypericum and Calendula to provide fast and effective relief from sports injuries including strained muscles, joints and bruising.

An incredible 90% of all physiotherapists in New Zealand use the cream, known as Anti-Flamme, and it’s not hard to see why. After straining my neck I had ‘Herbal Relief’ massaged into the area and the pain relief was incredible. I went from really restricted movement in my neck to complete comfort and after a second application to maintain the relief a few hours later, the strain caused me very little problems.

This product is used by physiotherapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, hospitals, sports teams and various professionals.

Recovery

Finally, and this has been the product that I’ve most rapidly used up and need to order in some more, is the Recovery rub, which is absolute bliss to have rubbed into your legs after a big effort. Or even if you just fancy giving some general relief to tired legs or want an excuse for a massage!

This massage cream was created to aid athletic recovery, optimise muscle recovery and ease general body fatigue – perfect for use after training or competition, or between events.

After a long morning of track training, and a long round of ‘laps to destruction’, I felt quite qualified to give the Recovery rub a good test. Hours after initial application I felt that the oils were still working their magic and my legs remained smooth and moisturised. The next morning I didn’t feel the usual extreme’s of aching.

Ingredients include Arnica Montana and Essential oils of Rosemary and Lavender.

Aside from the active benefits of the products in this range, all the rubs offer fantastic moisturising benefits and leave legs comfortable and soft for hours to follow. Products start at £5.85 and for more information on ordering, visit, www.activelifelogistics.co.uk.

Who are Natures Kiss?

Active Life Logistics was set up in mid 2003 to bring products to the market for active people, like the Nature’s Kiss brand. They believe that a healthy active lifestyle and a balanced approach to eating can improve one’s self image and well being and, more importantly, the ability to cope with everyday stresses of work, health and family life.