Foam Roller

Hi All,

Ive slowly been getting myself back into shape following an ongoing injury.  The good news is Im on the mend.  I have been thinking about buying a Foam Roller has weekly Sports Massages are too expensive.  Are these any good and what do I need to look for when buying one?  Any recommendations?

Thanks

Sandeep

I just have a cheapo £10 one. Love it for rolling calfs and quads, and cracking out my back. Plus a great head cushion for watching the telly whilst lying on the living room floor when you've finished.

yes, i have found one very useful, i just bought the cheapest one i could off Amazon.

Thanks very much guys, I will just get a cheap one too and see how it goes.

Yes highly recommended but there is not much you can do to a roller to add value the value is in the way you work it, so cheaper is better, under a tenner off Amazon

Thanks very much everyone, will be buying one tomorrow!

Good advice on here I have had trouble with calf cramps and tight hamstrings

so have ordered a foam roller to be delivered tomorrow I hope it solves the problem as its very frustrating not being able to run........

I do rate them. Paid a bit more for mine - called '66FIT ELITE FOAM ROLLER' 15cmx90cm from fleabay. I will say this though - go easy with it until you know what muscles you are working on and the effects it will have. I worked on my glutes and was getting into the piriformis area - I think I may've aggravated a nerve and it's quite possible (just like with regular massage) to "over treat" an area.

Can anyone tell me if a bog standard foam roller will do or is a grid one better? Fed up with ITBS  now so gonna start rolling with it...

Depends how much you want to spend. The grip ones e.g. triggerpoint are better, because as they have a plstic core they don't become misshapen over time. However, they are 4x the price of straightforward foam ones, so judge how much you will use it, over what period, and thus how often you might have to replace a foam one.

Netty, I hope this relates - not the same injury, but I bought mine for an IT band injury on the reccomendation of my physio, used it every day along with some stretches reccomended to help too, and didn't run during my recovery period. I have to say I think it worked wonders, I had done all sorts before and my injury just kept coming backworse even after months of no running. Combo of physio and foam rolling fixed it, in a relatively short time, and even though I havent kept up the rolling since (although I know I should) my knee feels stronger than ever

dancing in spikes wrote (see)

Depends how much you want to spend. The grip ones e.g. triggerpoint are better, because as they have a plstic core they don't become misshapen over time. However, they are 4x the price of straightforward foam ones, so judge how much you will use it, over what period, and thus how often you might have to replace a foam one.

My cheap roller has taken months of use and abuse without showing any sign of wearing down or changing shape or firmness. Brand is Fit66, bought from Amazon, cost less than £20 including delivery charge. I'm very glad I didn't spend more on the dearer ones like the grid, cause I don't think they could be any better than my cheap one.

On the other hand, there are a couple of cheap blue foam rollers at my gym, and they're so worn out it's like rolling over a big marshmallow. Bloody useless!

I have a cheap one, but have just bought a triggerpoint one too - mainly as it is hollow and so I should be able to take it when I travel.

I find it really useful for upper legs and back, but less so for my calves. I use a small ball under them to get more pressure. I have a spiky plastic one, but actually fins a tennis ball does the job as well.