“Pain has a way of changing everything. I know, because it changed my life.”

If you're here, you're probably looking to get stronger, move better, or finally break free from pain. I get it—because I’ve been exactly where you are.

At 18, I was living and breathing football, training relentlessly for my shot at playing in college. But one heavy barbell squat changed everything. In an instant, I felt a sharp, searing pain in my lower back. The verdict? A bulging disc in my L4-L5. The nerve pain shot down my leg for a year, making even the simplest movements unbearable. Running was out of the question. My dream of playing college football was over.

At my lowest point, I had two choices: accept my limitations or fight for a way forward. I chose the latter.

By 19, I had rehabbed my back and became a certified personal trainer, determined to help others avoid the pain I had endured. Over the next decade, I studied under some of the best minds in the fitness industry.

One thing stood out—every great coach was using some type of heel elevation to improve squat mechanics. When I started incorporating it with my own clients, the results were undeniable. They moved better, felt stronger, and, most importantly, their lower backs finally felt relief.

If only I had known this years earlier, I could have saved myself from so much pain.

So I went looking for the perfect squat wedge—something that was wide enough to support the whole foot, durable enough for serious training, but still lightweight enough to take anywhere. It didn’t exist.

Then, one day, a client jokingly said, “You should give everyone a Wedgie.”

That was it. That was the moment.

The name stuck with me, but more importantly, so did the mission. I knew I had to turn Wedgiez into something bigger—a brand that would not only help people move pain-free but actually motivate and inspire them to train harder and smarter.

That’s when I took matters into my own hands… and gave my clients a Wedgie.

But this wasn’t an overnight success story. We launched a Kickstarter in May 2021, and by January 2022, our very first Wedgie was born. What started as a simple idea has now grown into a movement—over 20,000 Wedgiez are being used worldwide by lifters, athletes, and everyday people looking to move pain-free.

At SquatWedgiez, our mission is simple: create high-quality exercise products that empower you to take control of your health, conquer pain, and unlock your full potential.

No matter where you’re starting from, know this—you are not alone. Your comeback story begins today.

So go ahead—give yourself a Wedgie, and let’s get to work.

— Erik Rokisky, Founder, SquatWedgiez