ROCKTAPE is a new brand of kinesiology tape that has been engineered with the specific goal of enhancing athletic performance. The unique properties of the tape, combined with an innovative taping method called PowerTaping™, allow it to delay the onset of fatigue, accelerate recovery and improve muscle activation during athletic activities.

An Innovative Approach to Kinesiology Taping

In the last couple of years, kinesiology taping has become one of the favorite therapeutic modalities for athletic trainers, physical therapists, chiropractors and pain management specialists. Its ability to rapidly relieve pain and reduce inflammation has made it especially popular with injured athletes.

Recently, an exciting new application for kinesiology tape has been introduced to the athletic community – taping for PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT. And, along with this new concept is a new product with the ability to make it work. 

It’s Called ROCKTAPE and it Rocks!

ROCKTAPE is a new brand of kinesiology tape that has been engineered with the specific goal of enhancing athletic performance. The unique properties of the tape, combined with an innovative taping method called PowerTaping™, allow it to delay the onset of fatigue, accelerate recovery and improve muscle activation during athletic activities.

Already a favorite with high level triathletes and competitive cyclists, watch for RockTape to begin appearing in upcoming sporting events of all types.

What is RockTape?

RockTape Active Recovery Tape is an exciting new version of kinesiology tape designed to enhance athletic performance. Yes, it still has all the therapeutic benefits of traditional kinesiology tape—relief of pain, reduction of inflammation, and support for injured tissues—but for RockTape, these are just a jumping-off point.

Highly-trained triathletes, distance runners and competitive cyclists who have worn RockTape have experienced greater endurance during training and competition, followed by a more rapid recovery. Athletes in power sports are also benefitting from the enhanced muscle activation resulting from the PowerTaping techniques. Whereas other kinesiology tapes are primarily used by injured athletes, the benefits of RockTape are equally impressive for healthy athletes looking to push the performance envelope.

What Makes RockTape Different?

Several key modifications have been made to the composition of the tape that are directly responsible for the performance-enhancing benefits that many RockTape converts have experienced.

1. Greater Elasticity

2. Enhanced Lifting Ability

3. A Tighter Weave

4. Greater “Snap Back”

5. A Patented Adhesive Pattern

Each of these enhancements is beneficial on its own, but combined, they create a safe, simple, inexpensive … and legal … method of enhancing athletic performance.

How Does RockTape Enhance Athletic Performance?

Outlined below are five of the key features that allow RockTape to slow the onset of fatigue, enhance muscle activation and accelerate the process of recovery.

1. Greater Elasticity

While most kinesiology tapes have 130-150% stretch, RockTape offers 190% elasticity, giving it a higher tensile strength than other tapes. This allows it to provide superior reinforcement of proper movement patterns, increasing the efficiency of movement. Increased efficiency is directly related to both improved execution and reduced fatigue.

2. Enhanced Lifting Ability

The additional elasticity provides a more consistent lifting of the skin over the taped area, enhancing blood flow to the working muscles. This delays the onset of fatigue during training/competition, and accelerates recovery via a more rapid removal of lactic acid and other metabolic byproducts.

3. Tighter Weave

RockTape is made from 97% high-grade cotton, reinforced with 3% nylon 6/12. No other kinesiology tape offers this enhanced weave pattern. This allows RockTape  to provide superior structural support, without compromising range of motion.

4. Greater “Snap Back”

The combination of the tighter weave pattern plus the enhanced elasticity give RockTape a greater “snap back” or recoil effect. When applied over a working muscle group, this enables the muscles to move more quickly through the cycles of contraction and relaxation that create movement. The more quickly a muscle can return to a resting state after contracting, the more quickly it can generate the next stimulus to continue its activity.

5. Patented Adhesive Pattern

The acrylic adhesive on RockTape is applied in a new Plow Pattern that looks similar to the tread on a tire. Picture how a tire tread channels water away from the surface to create better contact and less slippage on the road. RockTape’s adhesive backing has the same effect on skin. This allows it to more efficiently remove water and sweat, creating the best “stickability” in the industry. Athletes who have had problems with other kinesiology tapes loosening or coming off during endurance events have reported that RockTape remains firmly in place for the duration.

Don’t Negate the Fun Factor, Either

The folks at RockTape have also shown that it’s OK to combine function, fun and fashion. In addition to coming in the traditional kinesiology tape colors of black, blue, pink and beige, RockTape is available in “rocker” patterns such as biohazard, the RockTape logo and a black and white cow motif. A wider assortment of colors includes green, navy and new “IM” tape in white and yellow, designed to be written on. The IM tape is being used to write competitor numbers and race information in triathlons, as well as messages of encouragement from friends and family.

Be Sure to Learn the PowerTaping System

Important Note: When using RockTape for performance enhancement, the taping technique is as important as the tape itself. RockTape has introduced a revolutionary approach to performance kinesiology taping called PowerTaping™. Based on a “kinetic chain” approach to movement, PowerTaping is designed to reinforce the entire neuromuscular component of athletic performance.

A newly-released manual, “PowerTaping – Taping Movements, not Muscles,” provides a comprehensive introduction to the method. In addition to an excellent overview of the kinetic chain theory, it provides beautifully illustrated instructions for taping the kinetic chains for different sports.

It may seem a little pricey at $49.99, but the initial investment will be paid off many times over in benefits from applying the techniques.