Foam roller

jdm_taco
jdm_taco Posts: 999 Member
edited September 26 in Fitness and Exercise
Just wondering who uses a foam roller. Since learning about them, I cannot believe how long i went without one. I even have my grand dad hooked and he is almost 80. :laugh:

They are so wonderful for your legs and back. I find it most helpful for my It bands and lower back. I used it everday and have noticed a HUGE difference.

For those that have used foam rollers for a while...
How long do you work a troubled area?
How often do you use your foam roller?
Any special advice to share?


IF YOU RUN, A FOAM ROLLER IS A MUST!!!!!!!
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Replies

  • jenomaha
    jenomaha Posts: 631 Member
    LOVE my foam roller!!! I use it like you do, but I also use it on my calves, quads, hip flexors, lats, and glutes. Since using it, it has improved my muscular deviances (my knees when it when I squatted). I used the foam roller twice a day for like 2 weeks and voila, problem solved! Well aside from strengthejning my gluteus medialis :) Now, I use it almost daily!
  • Runner_mick
    Runner_mick Posts: 115 Member
    I use one for my IT band and although it hurts like a beast while using it, you recover so much faster and it stretches everything out. I also use "the stick" for my calfs and feet. It is amazing. I love them both. I agree if you are a daily runner then you need these two items
  • aimee0515
    aimee0515 Posts: 67
    I use mine while watching tv. It does help you recover faster. I don't do it everyday but as often as I think about it. Also...a bonus ladies...it does help work out cellulite. There is no cure for it...but lowering your body fat and massaging your problem areas (ie. the foam roller) daily can reduce the appearance of that dimpled skin :)
  • outersoul
    outersoul Posts: 711
    You convinced me. I'm a runner. I need one today.
  • KickassYas
    KickassYas Posts: 397 Member
    i saw them in target and couldnt figure out how they are used. now... i want one. thanks!
  • InnerPinup79
    InnerPinup79 Posts: 129
    With how jacked up my body has been over the years of injuries I wish I had known about it sooner! I especially love it for my whole back, my sides (my intercostals are tight!) IT band and butt...I will give it a try on my calves and thighs tonight. It hurts like hell at first but that's because you're really jacked up...over time it gets easier and overall despite the initial discomfort it feels good afterwards
  • Atlantique
    Atlantique Posts: 2,484 Member
    I don't have the foam rollers, but I have the TP Massage Ball and their Footballer (which isn't for your feet, it's more describing the shape). Priceless!

    I also use them while watching TV.
  • CakeFit21
    CakeFit21 Posts: 2,521 Member
    OMG, my foam roller.... oh, how I love it. I was just thinking I need to go get on it. So, I think I will...

    Seriously, if you don't have one-- Get one!
  • angp7711
    angp7711 Posts: 324 Member
    I have been using one religiously now for almost a year. It is part of my PT for my back. I had/have sciatica problems and tilted pelvis (gotta love babies) and very tight quads. I use it on every surface of my upper legs and also on my lower back. It doesn't even hurt any more :o) It is the only reason that I am able to run and still sleep at night and not hobble the next day. I use it before and after workouts and before bed. Every night.
  • jessmomof3
    jessmomof3 Posts: 4,590 Member
    I don't have the foam rollers, but I have the TP Massage Ball and their Footballer (which isn't for your feet, it's more describing the shape). Priceless!

    I also use them while watching TV.

    Yep, foam roller, TP Quadballer, TP Footballer, and TP trigger point ball. BEST TOOLS EVER for runners/ triathletes. I've been using them since I had to go to physical therapy for a severe IT band injury 5 years ago. I can't tell you how many people I've bought them for. I even got one for my FIL for his bday... he loves it to crack his back. :bigsmile:
  • SMarie10
    SMarie10 Posts: 956 Member
    Tell me more about this... I'm in PT right now for a pinched nerve in my back and would love to find something to provide relief...
    What is the foam roller and where can I get one. Is this the thing that looks like a water noodle but thicker? Do you just lay on it and roll over it? Maybe I can find a demo on UTube. Please describe for me how you use this.
  • angp7711
    angp7711 Posts: 324 Member
    Try this link for videos.

    http://www.runnersworld.com/article/1,7120,s6-238-267--13796-0,00.html
  • jessmomof3
    jessmomof3 Posts: 4,590 Member
    http://www.performbetter.com/detail.aspx_Q_ID_E_4918_A_CategoryID_E_363 I have the 3' long, 6" round one.
  • Atlantique
    Atlantique Posts: 2,484 Member
    I don't have the foam rollers, but I have the TP Massage Ball and their Footballer (which isn't for your feet, it's more describing the shape). Priceless!

    I also use them while watching TV.

    Yep, foam roller, TP Quadballer, TP Footballer, and TP trigger point ball. BEST TOOLS EVER for runners/ triathletes. I've been using them since I had to go to physical therapy for a severe IT band injury 5 years ago. I can't tell you how many people I've bought them for. I even got one for my FIL for his bday... he loves it to crack his back. :bigsmile:

    I should get the Quadballer. That's the only one I don't have.

    I was introduced to them at my second half-marathon at the expo. Been using them every since!
  • SMarie10
    SMarie10 Posts: 956 Member
    This is why I love MFP and all the people who share the knowledge. Foam roller... here I come. THANKS. :flowerforyou:
  • jdm_taco
    jdm_taco Posts: 999 Member
    I'm sure you can find a video on youtube. I ordered mine from running warehouse. Mine is denser and longer than what you can find in stores....wait that sounded kinda innapropriate :laugh:
  • SMarie10
    SMarie10 Posts: 956 Member
    LOL - I always like to find things denser and longer..... Wait, this is supposed to be G - rated.

    I found a great print out of exercises for the foam roller on the performbetter.com website. Now just need to get one ordered or go to a local sports store to see what they have available.

    BTW - congrats on your miraculous weight loss JDM... that is an amazing amount to lose and maintain.
  • jdm_taco
    jdm_taco Posts: 999 Member
    You too Marie. I'm gonna check that website out. Thanks!!
  • SmashleeWpg
    SmashleeWpg Posts: 567 Member
    I have horrifically tight hammies and calves, paired with plantar fasciitis and Achilles' tendons so tight I feel as though they may snap at any time. I'm good about stretching daily, and I do yoga, but I reeeeally think from the sounds of it I could benefit from one of these! Can anyone point me to some great stretches with the roller? I have one in my gym at work that sits in the corner - pretty sure no one uses it!
  • jemmur
    jemmur Posts: 57 Member
    i'm stuck in economy mode just now but i really wanted a foam roller to use on my calves, so i've been making do with repurposed cans of febreeze/shaving gel/etc :laugh: i roll them before and after a run & in the evenings that i don't run - it does sometimes bring a tear to my eye but my calves have been a lot better since i started doing it!
  • SMarie10
    SMarie10 Posts: 956 Member
    I bought a foam roller last night at Target for $20.00 - and it came with an instructional DVD. It is harder to use than it looks, but I spent about 45 minutes rolling around my living room stretching out all those tight areas in my legs, glutes and back. I think it's a great investment for little money. There was a nine-page sheet of exercises I printed down from Performbetter.com - looks like there are lots of exercises / stretches that you can use.

    Definitely want to use it on carpet or padded area.
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    So how do these stack up compared to "the stick"
    I have and use one of those, and I like it, but it doesn't seem to do as much for me as a lot of you say the foam roller does for you?
  • Atlantique
    Atlantique Posts: 2,484 Member
    So how do these stack up compared to "the stick"
    I have and use one of those, and I like it, but it doesn't seem to do as much for me as a lot of you say the foam roller does for you?

    Since I have the TP (Trigger Point) products, I'll answer for those.

    The concept with the TP Massage products is that they use a unique gel that compresses at a slightly different rate than foams will and is supposedly more therapeutic in that regard. As I was thrilled with their products, I haven't tried others and don't know how different they are from each other in actual use.

    And I should add that I'm primarily a runner, so I'm using these products on my legs for the most part, although I'll occasionally use the TP Massage ball on my back.

    As you are a runner too, you may have a chance to test out the TP Massage products at a race expo. They usually have a space at half and full marathon expos and will do a demo on one leg for you there. That's how I was hooked!
  • hroush
    hroush Posts: 2,073 Member
    I'm definitely thinking about getting one of these for my wife as she has a bunch of knots in her back. If she'll actually use it...
  • SMarie10
    SMarie10 Posts: 956 Member
    I'm definitely thinking about getting one of these for my wife as she has a bunch of knots in her back. If she'll actually use it...
    If you belong to a gym - you might have her try it there first to see if she likes it and would use it before you buy one. I noticed there was one at my gym, but wanted to do it at home in the privacy of my living room so I could curse and make all the noise I wanted to without embarassment. :-)
  • hroush
    hroush Posts: 2,073 Member
    Just had a thought, would a rolled yoga mat work the same?
  • jdm_taco
    jdm_taco Posts: 999 Member
    I'm definitely thinking about getting one of these for my wife as she has a bunch of knots in her back. If she'll actually use it...
    If you belong to a gym - you might have her try it there first to see if she likes it and would use it before you buy one. I noticed there was one at my gym, but wanted to do it at home in the privacy of my living room so I could curse and make all the noise I wanted to without embarassment. :-)

    No because it is not dense enough and I doubt it would roll once you put your body weight on it.
  • SMarie10
    SMarie10 Posts: 956 Member
    Just had a thought, would a rolled yoga mat work the same?
    I yoga mat would not do the same thing - the foam roll is much harder and allows you to roll on it - the mat would not do that.
  • BifDiehl
    BifDiehl Posts: 474
    BUMP
  • jessmomof3
    jessmomof3 Posts: 4,590 Member
    I don't have the foam rollers, but I have the TP Massage Ball and their Footballer (which isn't for your feet, it's more describing the shape). Priceless!

    I also use them while watching TV.

    Yep, foam roller, TP Quadballer, TP Footballer, and TP trigger point ball. BEST TOOLS EVER for runners/ triathletes. I've been using them since I had to go to physical therapy for a severe IT band injury 5 years ago. I can't tell you how many people I've bought them for. I even got one for my FIL for his bday... he loves it to crack his back. :bigsmile:

    I should get the Quadballer. That's the only one I don't have.

    I was introduced to them at my second half-marathon at the expo. Been using them every since!

    Yep, I love the Quadballer as well!! They are awesome products!
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