Foam Rollers Yay or Nay?

the_summer_belle
the_summer_belle Posts: 353 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So Foam Rollers;

A) I just found out they existed

B) I am not that sure what they do or the benefits

So are they worth it, what do i do with it if i get one and any tips etc on this topic?
«134

Replies

  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,984 Member
    Worth it. Youtube has lots of vids to show you how to roll out sore/tight muscles.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • Devasation
    Devasation Posts: 145 Member
    Totally worth it.

    Tips? When using it, you're going to be slowly rolling a body part over the roller...when you find the spot that is absolute agony, i.e., a knot in a muscle, (and it will hurt), stop right there, and apply as much pressure as you can stand until the pain subsides.

    Move on until find the next knot, repeat. Have fun.
  • KBjimAZ
    KBjimAZ Posts: 369 Member
    I say yay, but not everyone likes them. There are plenty of videos on youtube concerning their use, but, as always, be careful with youtube. Some of them come with an instructional dvd. If you use one you will develop a love/hate relationship with it. I use mine to help release my glutes and hip flexors.
  • joehempel
    joehempel Posts: 1,543 Member
    YES!

    I use them after long runs of 15 miles or more.....it hurts like hell, but afterwords you feel ohhhh so good!
  • ashleysarvi
    ashleysarvi Posts: 66
    I like mine, it hurts like heck at first but then it starts to feel good. and SUPPOSEDLY it reduces cellulite appearance. That sold me! I still don't know if that part actually works but hey worth a shot! But its great for the muscles.
  • LTKeegan
    LTKeegan Posts: 354 Member
    Oh hells yes!!!

    They do light massage type work. They realign fibers(?) and you basically just roll on them. I like to roll out my back and my legs, I sometimes find I need a lacrosse ball to do some more precise work.


    Foam rolling is apparently different than stretching, and works awesomely in conjunction with stretching! :D
  • LTKeegan
    LTKeegan Posts: 354 Member
    YES!

    I use them after long runs of 15 miles or more.....it hurts like hell, but afterwords you feel ohhhh so good!


    Just FYI, I went to massage the other day and the massage therapist said that if it hurts toooo much then you can actually be causing inflammation and you need to wait until things settle down then foam roll. Not sure how badly it hurts you when you foam roll, but I was nearly crying when trying to foam roll out my quads and he told me to lay off and take a hot bath when that is the case.
  • joehempel
    joehempel Posts: 1,543 Member
    YES!

    I use them after long runs of 15 miles or more.....it hurts like hell, but afterwords you feel ohhhh so good!


    Just FYI, I went to massage the other day and the massage therapist said that if it hurts toooo much then you can actually be causing inflammation and you need to wait until things settle down then foam roll. Not sure how badly it hurts you when you foam roll, but I was nearly crying when trying to foam roll out my quads and he told me to lay off and take a hot bath when that is the case.

    I'm no where near that point LOL. I don't think I would be doing anything if I was close to crying because of the pain.
  • knittnponder
    knittnponder Posts: 1,953 Member
    I am in LOVE with my foam roller! It hurts so good!
  • annie61702
    annie61702 Posts: 120 Member
    I'm interested in this, too. Any recommendations on brands? Especially available on Amazon, since I have prime shipping. Thanks!
  • dixoncrew
    dixoncrew Posts: 186 Member
    YES!

    I use them after long runs of 15 miles or more.....it hurts like hell, but afterwords you feel ohhhh so good!


    Just FYI, I went to massage the other day and the massage therapist said that if it hurts toooo much then you can actually be causing inflammation and you need to wait until things settle down then foam roll. Not sure how badly it hurts you when you foam roll, but I was nearly crying when trying to foam roll out my quads and he told me to lay off and take a hot bath when that is the case.

    A hot bath? Seriously? That would just increase inflammation and make it hurt worse. Alrighty then.
  • aquarabbit
    aquarabbit Posts: 1,622 Member
    I've heard they are totally worth the cost and change your life. I can't wait to get one! Saving up right now!
  • mlh37214
    mlh37214 Posts: 517 Member
    My chiropractor recommended one and I got it, but I am so uncoordinated that I have trouble with it for my thighs and lower legs. And I weigh enough, that putting my body weight on it to massage out soreness just hurts. I don't like it at all. I have friends that swear by them, though!

    On the other hand, when I told her that I was having trouble, she recommended what she called "the stick." It's found in the same area of the store and looks like a rolling pin with foam around it, spaced out. I love it and use it most days!! When I looked online to see what it's actually called, ****'s has it listed as "massage roller."
  • chard_muncher
    chard_muncher Posts: 75 Member
    I say nay because they're too expensive. I feel like I get the same effect from stretching normally. Just my 2 cents.
  • LTKeegan
    LTKeegan Posts: 354 Member
    YES!

    I use them after long runs of 15 miles or more.....it hurts like hell, but afterwords you feel ohhhh so good!


    Just FYI, I went to massage the other day and the massage therapist said that if it hurts toooo much then you can actually be causing inflammation and you need to wait until things settle down then foam roll. Not sure how badly it hurts you when you foam roll, but I was nearly crying when trying to foam roll out my quads and he told me to lay off and take a hot bath when that is the case.

    A hot bath? Seriously? That would just increase inflammation and make it hurt worse. Alrighty then.


    He said taking a hot bath can help increase blood flow and can help relax the muscles. Which is consistent with medical literature. Cold is for acute injury, heat is for sore muscles. So far, its helping.
  • LTKeegan
    LTKeegan Posts: 354 Member
    I've heard they are totally worth the cost and change your life. I can't wait to get one! Saving up right now!
    I say nay because they're too expensive. I feel like I get the same effect from stretching normally. Just my 2 cents.

    Also, mine was $15. How much do they cost where you live?
  • mlh37214
    mlh37214 Posts: 517 Member

    On the other hand, when I told her that I was having trouble, she recommended what she called "the stick." It's found in the same area of the store and looks like a rolling pin with foam around it, spaced out. I love it and use it most days!! When I looked online to see what it's actually called, ****'s has it listed as "massage roller."

    That bleeped out portion is the name of a Sporting Good's store. LOL
  • astronomicals
    astronomicals Posts: 1,537 Member
    I say nay because they're too expensive. I feel like I get the same effect from stretching normally. Just my 2 cents.
    And when you say "feel" you mean "blindly assume without having anything but a biased opinion due to cost". Correct?

    Stretching and foam rolling are different animals entirely.


    OP: foam rolling is great but it can be hard to get past the pain. The benefits are tremendous.
  • annie61702
    annie61702 Posts: 120 Member
    This seems like a pretty good video, but I don't have personal experience. I'm still wondering which one to order. I hope someone will post some feedback on that. Thanks!

    http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=khC5J1lkC7s&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DkhC5J1lkC7s
  • hollyheard
    hollyheard Posts: 3
    Sometimes you just really need to knead thise muscles like dough... yes!
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Yay! I use mine after almost every run......

    You may also want to look at "the stick", I haven't used one myself but they seem to be well regarded at the triathlon club I belong to.
  • kelly_e_montana
    kelly_e_montana Posts: 1,999 Member
    I would marry a foam roller if I could.
  • kelly_e_montana
    kelly_e_montana Posts: 1,999 Member
    I say nay because they're too expensive. I feel like I get the same effect from stretching normally. Just my 2 cents.

    They're also like $15 where I live. I do yoga 3x per week and stretch the rest of the days. I get nothing like the benefit of the foam roller. Totally different animals for me.
  • Bun_Ya
    Bun_Ya Posts: 174
    Yes BUT you can make them yourself for next to nothing (in my opinion). A full 2ltr bottle, a length of plastic piping etc.
  • EdTheGinge
    EdTheGinge Posts: 1,616 Member
    For the price they're definitely worth it, I got mine for £10 and it's great
  • HeidiMightyRawr
    HeidiMightyRawr Posts: 3,343 Member
    Yes they are worth it!

    I used to use one at the gym after most workouts, it was amazing. Hurt like hell but did so much good for tight muscles. Youtube videos can be very useful.

    Since then I've bought my own so I don't have to go to the gym to foam roll if I don't have a workout that day. They're very cheap, I only paid £10 for mine.
  • Howbouto
    Howbouto Posts: 2,121 Member
    Yes yes yes. I have learned they are the key to no be too sore. The rumble type are my favorite but I agree those are pricey. Anywhere btw $30 to $50 (even online). I eventually will buy one though.
  • _db_
    _db_ Posts: 179 Member
    Yup. A very good $30 investment. I use it for 5-10 minutes after a run and almost never experience muscle tightness.
  • StraubreyR
    StraubreyR Posts: 631 Member
    Definitely yes. Got mine on Amazon as well, for about $30. Love it!
  • OverDoIt
    OverDoIt Posts: 332 Member
    good stuff

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