Where to find foam rollers

So, he explains, applying pressure and moving the fascia, even microscopically, could allow the fascia, and therefore the muscles, to separate, relax, and become more flexible.

Meanwhile, foam rolling could also improve your workouts by literally warming your muscles. Warming up your muscles before exercise helps loosen up the tissues and joints and increase range of motion—which helps you move better during your workout and protect you from injury. Post-workout, increasing blood flow to the tissues you just used can help speed up recovery time, Dan Giordano, D. If it is painful, a few things could be going on. For example, he and de Mille explain that people love to climb on a foam roller to roll out their IT band, which runs up the side of the thigh from the knee to hip, and is super sensitive to foam rolling.

But the pain you feel when rolling the band is actually your body begging you to stop. Giordano echoes that you should never roll your IT band. Always, always, always stick to rolling your muscles, rather than ligaments like your IT band or joints like your knees or elbows, de Mille says.

You should also skip your lower back, Giordano says. Stick to your glutes, quads, hamstrings, calves, traps, and lats. You can lightly roll the meat of your shoulders, but should avoid the actual joint. Same with your arms and elbows. For best results, de Mille suggests adhering to a near-daily rolling strategy.

After all, just like all things exercise, you have to be consistent to get the best results. Soft- and medium-density foam rollers can help remove the knots in your muscles and relieve trigger points after a tough workout. On the other hand, firmer foam rollers are best when you need an intense, deeper myofascial release.

Then, there are foam rollers with bumpy knobs and wave-like ridges. These foam rollers really dig into your trigger points to release tension. They work best in the shoulder area, he says, where you may feel more tightness from sitting at a desk all day or lifting heavy objects. Vibrating rollers might also be a good investment for athletes of any stripe, says Jordan Metzl, M.

Not sure which foam roller to start with? That said, deciding which foam roller is best for you comes down to personal preference. Ready to roll out tension and stress? With a inch height and a hollow core, this foam roller is easy to take anywhere and is durable enough to stay in shape.

Made for This roller is designed for self-massaging after sports. Give your muscles a deep massage using your own body weight. Need to relax your muscles after sport? This hard roll is perfect for intense self-massaging. Product Video. This product is no longer in stock online in this size, but maybe available in another size.

Notify me. Versatility For several areas. Perfect for back, thighs and calves massages. Poor posture got ya down? When I have intense headaches, especially due to tension in the neck , I like to use my foam roller. Pain in a specific area while foam rolling is typically a sign that your muscle or tissue is tight and needs some TLC. As a glued-to-the-desk editor, I can testify that foam rolling has been so good for my well-being.

What used to be chronic tension and needling pain in my arm and shoulder is now gone thanks to my once-a-week classes. The act itself is as fulfilling as pushing out the last bit of toothpaste from the tube. All gifs by Active Body. Creative Mind. Christal Yuen is an editor and writer at Healthline.