Highlights
Total CBD: | 70 – 2,000 mg |
Potency : | 4.7 – 13.3 mg/g |
Cost per mg CBD: | $0.08 – $0.21 |
Extract Type: | Broad-spectrum |
Total CBD: | 70 – 2,000 mg |
Potency : | 4.7 – 13.3 mg/g |
Cost per mg CBD: | $0.08 – $0.21 |
Extract Type: | Broad-spectrum |
The CBD Recovery Balm by Muscle MX is a topical CBD treatment designed to treat localized muscle pain and inflammation. It’s marketed towards athletes and active types, but can be used even by the elderly to treat the aches associated with getting older.
Muscle MX takes a naturopathic approach to the formula of this product by including a whole range of therapeutic herbs and extracts.
The prices are solid for the Muscle MX Recovery Balms. Even the mini version is average in price. The regular size (350 mg) is about as cheap as it gets for CBD topicals.
Muscle MX’s CBD potency is average to low. With only about 5 mg/mL, this is not considered to be a strong or potent topical product.
The hemp Muscle MX uses to make these balms is grown in the USA, in Kentucky, Washington, and Colorado. Aside from that, no other information is given, which leaves the agricultural standards and practices a little bit of a mystery. There’s also no mention of extraction techniques used to make this product.
The purpose of this CBD balm is super clear — to relieve joint and muscle pain and inflammation.
There’s an appropriate amount of CBD in the regular size balm for the intended use, and the other herbs in the formula do a great job at supporting the effects of the CBD.
There are only three sizes available: 14, 75, and 350 g. With that said, we don’t expect Muscle MX to offer a wide range of potencies and sizes of a niche product like this. We like that you can buy both the recovery balm and activation balm from this company. On top of this, both versions come in a smaller travel size and large size.
Muscle MX nailed the formula for the Recovery Balm. All the ingredients support the work of CBD, being either anti-inflammatory, analgesic, or cooling for sore muscles. Plus, the other base ingredients used to make the balm are suitable for the skin as well (vitamin E, coconut oil, and beeswax).
Muscle MX started in Salt Lake City, Utah. The team comprises digital marketing superstar, Mike Baghoomian and hairdressing business owners, Chris and Kami Pietz.
All three are fitness enthusiasts, hence the name and manifesto of the company. The products are tailored towards the kinds of pain and inflammation incurred from physical exercise, but ultimately, anyone can use them.
The Muscle MX team has unquestionably put a lot of thought into the formula for the Recovery Balm, and the brand sticks to its ethos for natural, plant-derived ingredients. Overall, Muscle MX is a small startup company that keeps things simple and wholesome.
One thing Muscle MX could afford to do better is to be a little more explicit in how and where its hemp is grown. It advertises on the product page that the hemp is produced in the USA, but aside from that, no other information is provided unless you reach out and ask them directly.
The ingredients are applied topically, so this product is not ideal for any internal injuries acquired during physical activity. According to Muscle MX, athletes, “weekend warriors,” or even those experiencing chronic pain are appropriate candidates for the Recovery Balm.
The ingredients are applied topically, so this product is not ideal for any internal injuries acquired during physical activity. Athletes, “weekend warriors” (as Muscle MX likes to call them), or even those dealing with the pain of getting older are appropriate candidates for the Recovery Balm, according to Muscle MX.
This product is made to be used in conjunction with the Activate Balm, and they’re conveniently sold in bundles. Those who want to use topical relief after exercise are the ones most likely to get the benefits from the Muscle MX Recovery Balm.
The value of Muscle MX Mini Recovery Balm (70 mg of CBD) is pretty average on cost, but the 350 mg Recovery Balm packs a lot of value.
All things considered, the price is low considering the other complementary herbs used in the formula.
For the topical application of CBD to be effective, there should be a minimum potency of 7.5 mg/mL. Muscle MX falls short of this by almost half —except for the Recovery+ variation.
Product Image | Product Name | Total Volume | Total CBD Content | Total Cost | CBD Potency | Cost per mg CBD |
Muscle MX Mini Recovery Balm | 14 g | 70 mg | $14.99 | 5 mg/g | $0.21 | |
Muscle MX Recovery Balm | 75 g | 350 mg | $39.99 | 4.7 mg/g | $0.11 | |
Muscle MX Recovery Tub | 350 g | 2,000 mg | $179.99 | 5.7 mg/g | $0.09 | |
Muscle MX CBD Recovery+ Balm | 75 g | 1,000 mg | $79.99 | 13.3 mg/g | $0.08 |
Muscle MX doesn’t actively advertise its hemp source. The customer service team did provide the farm locations when asked via email, stating that the hemp is grown in Kentucky, Washington, and Colorado. Aside from this, they offer no other information.
Unfortunately, not knowing the hemp source means there is the potential for contamination with pesticides, heavy metals, and other industrial contaminants.
There is a link for batch information on the website, but for the Recovery (and Activate) Balms, the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) makes no mention of pesticides, heavy metals, yeasts, or molds. There is complete CoA for ingestible products.
Muscle MX also doesn’t mention any extraction techniques used. However, judging from the CoA, it appears that the Recovery Balm is made with a broad-spectrum CBD extract.
Suggested Reading: The Importance of Third-Party Testing in the Cannabis Industry.
Muscle MX Recovery Balm is explicitly used for the treatment of inflammation and pain of muscles and joints.
Even though the topical is geared towards athletes, it can also be used to support other health conditions like arthritis topically.
The Recovery Balm is designed to be used in conjunction with the Muscle MX Activate Balm and the Muscle MX CBD Drops. The Activate Balm is formulated for use before exercise, while the Recovery Balm is made to deal with what happens after training.
All in all, there’s just one difference between the two balms. While the Activate Balm contains caffeine oil, the Recovery Balm contains tea-tree oil.
Aside from that, the ingredients are the same. So theoretically, a person on a budget wouldn’t desperately need to buy both balms.
This is where the Muscle MX CBD Recovery Balm shines: the ingredients used in the formula.
Key Ingredients Include:
For a person dealing with pain and inflammation, this is a legendary concoction of herbs. Menthol, peppermint, and tea tree have a cooling effect when applied to the skin — suitable for overcharged muscles. Additionally, menthol provides analgesic (painkilling) effects when applied topically.
Eucalyptus oil is popular in body care products for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory effects, and calming aromatherapy.
Another excellent addition is arnica oil, which is often used topically for reducing the appearance of bruises, swelling, joint pain, and sore muscles.
And of course, CBD does just about all of those things and deals with pain and inflammation.
Everything else in the formula nourishes the skin (vitamin E, coconut oil, beeswax, grapeseed oil).
Muscle MX ships all over the world for a flat rate of $7.95. Within the USA, free shipping is offered only on orders over $75.
Muscle MX will only accept returns for damaged products, so long as a claim is submitted within 48 hours of delivery. Muscle MX assesses the claim and may then send a replacement.
Muscle MX offers a 30-day customer satisfaction guarantee for all Muscle MX products, including the CBD Recovery Balm. If within 30 days, a customer isn’t satisfied with the result, they can send back the unused portion of the product for a full refund.
Overall, the Recovery Balm has excellent value for what you get. On top of that, the product packaging is innovative because it means hiking and mountain-biking junkies can throw it in their backpacks and apply to the affected areas without rubbing it in with their hands.
Muscle MX has obviously thought very carefully about the formulation for the product because everything in the balm serves the purpose the product is advertised for.
Overall this is a great product and doesn’t necessarily require purchasing the Activate Balm.
Number | Product | Total CBD | Potency | Cost per mg CBD | Link |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
cbdMD CBD Freeze Pain Relief |
300 – 1500 mg |
2.5 – 16.9 mg/mL |
$0.07 – $0.12 |
|
2 |
Infinite CBD Freezing Point Cream |
250 – 1000 mg |
4.2 – 16.9 mg/mL |
$0.05 – $0.07 |
|
3 |
Lazarus Naturals CBD Balm |
300 – 1200 mg |
20 mg/mL |
$0.04 – $0.05 |
|
4 |
CBDistillery CBD Topicals |
25 – 500 mg |
16 mg/mL |
$0.12 – $0.36 |
|
5 |
4 Corners Cannabis CBD Salve |
40 – 500 mg |
8.3 – 16.6 mg/mL |
$0.20 – $0.38 |
|
6 |
Medterra CBD Rapid Recovery Cooling Cream |
250 – 750 mg |
2.5 – 7.5 mg/mL |
$0.10 – $0.20 |
|
7 |
Kat’s Naturals Pain CBD Cream w/ Capsaicin |
350 – 1400 mg |
11.6 mg/mL |
$0.11 – $0.13 |