The Best Foam Rollers For Muscle Relief

It is incredible to imagine that just a few years ago, foam rollers were thought to be the preserve of athletes and the chic models of Hollywood and New York. The highly versatile pieces of equipment were so revered that it was easier to find them in a therapy office than a gym. Today, as we speak, foam rollers are having a moment. In fact, they are some of the most conspicuous pieces of equipment in modern-day gyms.

How are foam rollers used?
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These pieces of equipment are used for foam rolling, or self-myofascial release. Simply put, this refers to the process in which an individual massages themselves in a bid to get rid of tension or release the trigger points of the body. Generally, foam rollers will be used before an exercise to keep the muscles on the alert, after exercise to straighten knots, and during recovery from injuries in order to step up the healing process.

Here Are Our Choices For The Best Foam Rollers

LuxFit Speckled Foam Roller

This molded polypropylene 18"  provides a classic foam roller design without multi-density zones, but just as, if not more effective.  Durable, with multiple color options, this roller provides a softer feel than EVA designs.

Pro Source Foam Roller

Durable EVA foam filled roller with multi-density zones and 24" length is a great product to relieve your sore muscles post workout.  The multi density zones with ProSource are some of the best available today.

Trigger Point GRID Foam Roller

We are big fans of Trigger Point products and this foam roller is no exception.  The 13" foam roller with multi-density exterior can target your muscles with the precision of a massage therapist.

Features of foam rollers
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Most rollers are made from foam, hence the name. Eva foam is known to be dense and is revered for its durability while polythene foam has a soft feel to it, which is a big pull factor for buyers but is known to fade away rather quickly. The marketplace also has advanced rollers that have solid plastic cores, which of course enhances their durability.

When it comes to length, you are looking at anything between 24 and 36 inches. Long rollers are great for broad parts of the broadly such as the back and shoulders while the short ones work perfectly around the hands and feet. In terms of texture, smooth rollers are soft to the feel and can be used by a beginner while their ridged counterparts come with added pressure capabilities and are therefore a good fit for experienced users. Prices will vary from brand to brand and design to the other, but these equipment are cheap and versatile for the most part.
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What are the benefits of foam rollers?

They enhance your flexibility
A roller is designed to reach literally all parts of your body. It can be used on your stomach, on your thighs, behind your back and in a ton of other places. As you slowly earn to use this tool, you become capable of many kinds of turns and movements, which keeps you flexible, and this comes in handy when you are trying to move or turn in strenuous situations or narrow angles.

Help with recovery and prevent injuries
As indicated earlier, foam rollers are the best tools to fall back on if you are looking to recover quickly from an episode of strenuous exercises. Muscle strain and tension is especially popular among runners and people who participate in energy-intensive activities. When you roll your body, you give knotted places a chance to recover and tensed muscles an opportunity to relax. Among all techniques applied to enhance muscle recovery after intense exercises, rollers are said to be the most impactful.

Increase the flow of blood
Myofascial release allows you to stretch and turn your body as you deem fit. When pressure is applied on connective tissue and muscles, blood is squeezed and redistributed in a way that gets the body chugging along just nicely. When blood flow to key areas of the body is enhanced, then you are able to push yourself even harder because even the points of exertion are well-sfed in terms of nutrients.


How myofascial release helps those who exercise and those who don’t
For those who are used to exercise regimens, foam rollers are the trigger to a higher level of exertion. They achieve this by allowing the users to recirculate their blood flow and recover quickly from highly intense workouts and move on to others. Those who do not exercise can tap the benefits of these equipment as well. If used correctly, the tools are able to mimic the events that take place during real exercise session. Beginners should however be careful to go for smooth, dumbed-down versions before eventually breaking into the big leagues.

Myofascial release seems to be the craze at the moment, and for a good season. The approach, while simple and affordable, has been lauded for its quick results and level of efficacy. It doesn’t hurt that the user gets to do it all by themselves.

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