Foam Roller Newbie

I got a foam roller for Christmas and I have some exercises I found online for it, but does anybody have any tips for a beginner?

:))

Replies

  • It will hurt. So bad. But it helps so much that the pain is so worth it!! You tube has videos on how to use it properly!
  • blanphere
    blanphere Posts: 82 Member
    I love my foam roller - especially after spin class! I don't do anything specific; I can usually sense where I need the most work, so I start there (typically down the side of my hip / thigh), then to quads and hamstrings, and don't forget the glutes!. I spend about 10-12 minutes per side. I haven't figured out how to roll the inner thigh effectively. Maybe someone else can comment on that for both of us! Oh...a good tip I learned is to cross your legs over when doing the back of your calf for the added weight. It helps with quads and hamstrings too. Using your body weight is key.

    If you are the type that likes really deep tissue massage - the more it hurts the better it feels - you will love your foam roller too!

    The best advice I received from my trainer was to hold for 20-30 seconds when you hit a sore spot - and BREATHE!
  • mustgetmuscles1
    mustgetmuscles1 Posts: 3,346 Member
    The ones he shows in this video help me out a lot.

    http://youtu.be/FSSDLDhbacc
  • PinkNinjaLaura
    PinkNinjaLaura Posts: 3,202 Member
    I really liked this article - I use it on my IT bands.

    http://www.runnersworld.com/injury-treatment/almost-magical-foam-roller
  • The ones he shows in this video help me out a lot.

    http://youtu.be/FSSDLDhbacc
    Want to look at this again