Foam Roller?

freyaheart
freyaheart Posts: 220 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So I was at my local TJ Maxx looking for some new activewear and in that section they have a small display of fitness items like kettle bells, yoga mats, workout gloves and other such things. They had a small selection of foam rollers. I had come across them before when I was shopping for yoga accessories online but I didn't know what they were for. After some light research I think I may want to get one but I do not know which kind to get.

If you have one:
Do you like it?
Should I get one?
Does it live up to the hype?

Thanks in advance!
«1

Replies

  • YoBecca
    YoBecca Posts: 167
    I have one. I use it a ton (nearly nightly) - but I have tight IT bands, as well as tight calves and glutes, and there's not really anything else that works to stretch them out. I never needed it until I started running distances and feeling the effects. I recommend them highly to anyone with tight or achy legs or hips - but if you don't have those issues, I wouldn't.

    A few notes on them - you have to make sure you're using then right or it ends up doing more harm than good (I.e. just bruising the muscle), and they hurt like hell. So by the time you've done 20 reps (what my Phys Therapist has me do) you're dying to stop. That being said, my roller keeps me running and I love it.
  • GetSoda
    GetSoda Posts: 1,267 Member
    I crushed a cheap one.
    used a pvc for a while
    finally got a rumble roller. It's the bomb.
  • freyaheart
    freyaheart Posts: 220 Member
    I crushed a cheap one.
    used a pvc for a while
    finally got a rumble roller. It's the bomb.

    PVC? Like PVC pipe? By the way I love your avatar picture
  • rakufire
    rakufire Posts: 21 Member
    Lots of info here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1045171-the-foam-roller
  • LeviLeDoux
    LeviLeDoux Posts: 151 Member
    I'm currently lusting after foam rollers. I need to just go get one.
  • GetSoda
    GetSoda Posts: 1,267 Member
    I crushed a cheap one.
    used a pvc for a while
    finally got a rumble roller. It's the bomb.

    PVC? Like PVC pipe? By the way I love your avatar picture


    Yep! 6" PVC pipe. It slips a lot.

    And thank you! :) I drew it. I love Adventure time!
  • missheathier
    missheathier Posts: 6 Member
    I have a long medium density 66fit foam roller.

    Brutal hard work, i do it after a training session so my limbs are warmer.

    I also suffer iwth tight ITB's and weak glutes and rock solid calf muscle. The foam roller along with my stretching/pilates routine really does keep me moving!

    Highly recommnded.
  • trainerbarb
    trainerbarb Posts: 28
    Can't do without my foam roller. I suffer from a righteous case of "runner's butt" (a.k.a. piriformis syndrome) and without rollering, just walking is hard.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    I have a medium from trigger point, it' pretty high quality and not flattening at all like I would expect due to weight and use. I use it for a tight IT band, it's not comfortable, but it will do a lot of good work for you. You'll get used to the pain.
  • Krista916
    Krista916 Posts: 258
    Lots of info here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1045171-the-foam-roller

    THIS! I keep saying I'm going to get one and jsut never do! This weekend! *wink wink*
  • A_Warrior_Princess
    A_Warrior_Princess Posts: 344 Member
    I have one and my hubby and I both use it to roll out sore muscles. It does hurt like hell but it is worth the feeling the next day. Not nearly as sore.
  • Jersey_Devil
    Jersey_Devil Posts: 4,142 Member
    I foam roll every day. Excellent way of working out knots.
    If you are a beginner, you should get a softer one.
    If you do it right, it is going to feel REAL uncomfortable while you are doing it... but well worth the results.
  • Alehmer
    Alehmer Posts: 433 Member
    Rumble roller for the win!
    Coming off of ACL surgey I had 2 years of knee pain... gone within 2 days of rolling. Just make sure you are using it right.

    Pro tip, if you aren't fighting tears, you either don't need it of (much more likely) you aren't using it right. Gotta find the most painful point in the whole range, relax completely, and just take the enormous pain for 30-60 seconds.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    If you have one:
    Do you like it?
    Yes

    Should I get one?
    Yes

    Does it live up to the hype?
    What hype? It's a way to perform myofascial release on yourself.
  • MostlyWater
    MostlyWater Posts: 4,294 Member
    I never wanted one but it can't be your only exercise, for starters. It seems to me to be a good way to keep your hands busy if you're watching TV, instead of snacking.
  • Rays_Wife
    Rays_Wife Posts: 1,173 Member
    My husband loves to use my rolling pin to roll out his muscles :laugh: I recently bought him a foam roller, and he was all gung ho about it until he crushed his man parts :noway: Back to the rolling pin, lol!!
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    I never wanted one but it can't be your only exercise, for starters. It seems to me to be a good way to keep your hands busy if you're watching TV, instead of snacking.

    I'm not sure of how it could be an "exercise", you're on a roller working knots out of muscles.
  • Jersey_Devil
    Jersey_Devil Posts: 4,142 Member
    My husband loves to use my rolling pin to roll out his muscles :laugh: I recently bought him a foam roller, and he was all gung ho about it until he crushed his man parts :noway: Back to the rolling pin, lol!!

    crushed his manparts? How the hell did he do that? lol
  • jmc0806
    jmc0806 Posts: 1,444 Member
    I have a Fitness Gear Firm Hollow Roller which works well but I also bought a Moji 360 handheld massager and that seems to work even better because I can pinpoint where I want the pressure
  • yo_andi
    yo_andi Posts: 2,178 Member
    I never wanted one but it can't be your only exercise, for starters. It seems to me to be a good way to keep your hands busy if you're watching TV, instead of snacking.

    I don't think a foam roller is what you think it is...

    OP: I have a foam roller, and a rolling stick. I use both nearly daily. Foam roller is great for my tight IT bands and glutes. Stick works great on my super tight calves, hammies and quads. Highly recommend investing in this little bit of self-care. It makes a HUGE difference.
  • Rays_Wife
    Rays_Wife Posts: 1,173 Member
    My husband loves to use my rolling pin to roll out his muscles :laugh: I recently bought him a foam roller, and he was all gung ho about it until he crushed his man parts :noway: Back to the rolling pin, lol!!

    crushed his manparts? How the hell did he do that? lol

    Trying to do a hip flexor stretch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nAwlsctqBs

    Not so easy to do if you're a guy!! lol
  • Doone33
    Doone33 Posts: 171 Member
    we have two... LOL... I use them to race the boys across the living room... the spongy one is easier to keep your balance on... the harder one is faster.. but you need some kick but balance to keep it rolling and standing on it!

    SO yes I use mine... for entertainment! My husband uses them to stretch his back and but out!
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    YES.

    Buy a softer one to start- then upgrade to the more dense one- or a foam wrapped PVC pipe.
  • HornedFrogPride
    HornedFrogPride Posts: 283 Member
    Have 4 different foam rollers, two regular foam rollers and two "rumble rollers" (for marathon runners, they are indispensable!). Love the rumble rollers the most. Good to have a soft one as an option too for something less deep-tissue massage (there are times when you need deep-tissue massage and times you just need your muscles "rolled"). Spend the dough and splurge for a foam roller, you'll thank me later ;)
  • haroon_awan
    haroon_awan Posts: 1,208 Member
    Yes
    Maybe, depends on what type of training you are doing. If you are very active then it may be beneficial for helping to alleviate tight muscles and joints, increase recovery time and decrease soreness.
    Yes

    There are generally 3 types:
    Regular foam roller
    Rumble roller
    Cross between these two, eg Trigger Point.

    People will generally say the latter two are a bit more intense and you should work you way there. I say f it and get a rumble roller or TP roller. They're a bit more expensive (a few hours of your work wage normally 15-30 £/$) but they'll last years and years.

    I would also recommend a small ball, such as a lacrosse, tennis or golf ball eg for http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0jgpcRXiUE
  • brandiuntz
    brandiuntz Posts: 2,717 Member
    I use one after my runs. I'd not be able to run the way I do without it. I use a stiff one (black). Has no flex to it. Works my quads and IT band well. I do regular stretching for the rest of my body.
  • Escape_Artist
    Escape_Artist Posts: 1,155 Member
    I foam roll everyday :drinker:

    Got one home, one at work and a travel size one
  • lambchristie
    lambchristie Posts: 552 Member
    I have one, I purchased it for $20 for the Physical Therapy office I use to go to.
    Its a 'miracle' that works out the kinks and pains tight, sore muscles from working out.

    We also have them at my gym and use them once week.

    Worth the investment. But be sure to google how to use it properly so you get the most benefit from using it.
  • Leadfoot_Lewis
    Leadfoot_Lewis Posts: 1,623 Member
    I have a Trigger Point and I love it. Admittedly need to be better about using it though.
  • lambchristie
    lambchristie Posts: 552 Member
    Rumble roller for the win!
    Coming off of ACL surgey I had 2 years of knee pain... gone within 2 days of rolling. Just make sure you are using it right.

    Pro tip, if you aren't fighting tears, you either don't need it of (much more likely) you aren't using it right. Gotta find the most painful point in the whole range, relax completely, and just take the enormous pain for 30-60 seconds.


    What this post states (sorry don't have an up arrow key)

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