The thumbs play a huge role in wide pinches and thick bars. This is similar to the Rolling Thumber in that it really challenges the thumb, but is also very different in that it also combines the critical use of the fingers and wrist. In balance, these three must be strong in order to lift much weight here.
Some people prefer to have the fingers further down the curved plate, producing more of a wide pinch grip, whereas others prefer to have the fingers closer up the plate to allow more thumb curve under the roller. Either way, it's not easy. For comparison, during testing, athletes have on average been able to lift about 75% of what they can do on the Rolling Thumber.
The rollers are interchangeable and are the same ones used on the Rolling Thumber.
By default, the finish on the rollers are kept to raw steel to support consistency in competitions and also to allow for natural seasoning.