Foam rolling alternative

ajocec

anyone have any alternatives to foam rolling? I can't do it due to bruising but am in so much pain

dakotababy

There is those hand held rollers as well. I forget the technical term.

rileyes

A pvc pipe?

tanowicki

Stretching.

trusty48

You can use balls- like tennis balls or lacrosse balls to roll out the tension. They work better than the foam rollers for small targeted areas

cheshirecatastrophe

Rolling pin is your budget option. Fancier version: The Stick.

Like @trusty48 I use a lacrosse-sized ball for my hips (the hips themselves, not the hip muscles that stretch down into the legs), calves/ankles, and bottoms of my feet.

Chieflrg

Rolling pin works well & lacrosse ball gets in those tight spots. I've heard of 4" pvc as well as wine bottle but haven't tried either.

kdcancan

I use the extra long stick with the mini rollers on it. Very comfortable and much better than the shiatsu torture hard foam roller with raised bumps I'd been using

rybo

If you can't foam roll because of bruising, none of the alternatives are going to work either.

mbaker566

Rolling a tennis ball or dryer balls. If you are bruising, maybe check with your dr as to why you are bruising so easy?

prestigio

Try stretches with (light) resistance bands?

DesertGunR

moyer566 wrote: »

Rolling a tennis ball or dryer balls. If you are bruising, maybe check with your dr as to why you are bruising so easy?

Bruising that easily. I agree a consult with a Doctor is warranted. That is definitely not a normal condition. Other than that a very good stretching routine before and after any exercise as well as on your off/rest days.

trusty48

I may have misunderstood- assumed that OP had existing bruises and wanted to work around them. Foam rollers are big and difficult to target areas with.

jimmmer

rybo wrote: »

If you can't foam roll because of bruising, none of the alternatives are going to work either.

This.

Go for a mellow walk to loosen things up and do some easy stretching/mobility drills. It's how we did it before someone dreamed up the foam roller.