Although foam rollers may feel like a relatively new piece of fitness equipment, they were actually first used back in the late 1980s.
They have become synonymous with improving flexibility and mobility, enhancing muscle function, and reducing tightness and pain.
In this article, we will highlight a number of the best foam rollers on the market and also discuss the key considerations to be made when purchasing one.vibrat
1. TriggerPoint Grid Foam Roller (Top Pick)
When it comes to innovative massage tools, TriggerPoint Performance leads the way. Their Grid Foam Roller is one of the best products on the market.
Not only does it have a solid construction, the TriggerPoint grid roller allows for a deep and effective application of force to the muscle.
What We Like:
- Brand Reputation
- High-Quality Design and Construct
- Free Online Instructional Videos Included
What We Don’t Like:
- Expensive For A Short Roller
2. 5BILLION Fitness Foam Roller
The 5Billion foam roller stands out from a number of competitors due to its design.
With a splash of neon throughout and clever storage space within the core of the product, it is clear why this roller is a good choice.
The roller is high density and contains three different “zones” for the ultimate self-massage experience.
What We Like:
- Eye-Catching And Clever Design
- Quality Construction
- Range of Different Sizes
What We Don’t Like:
- High-Density May Not Be Suitable For Beginners
3. Vanquisher Foam Roller
As discussed in our buyers’ guide later in this article, short rollers have their unique uses and benefits.
The Vanquisher foam roller is one of the best short rollers that money can buy.
It also contains three different areas that are designed to replicate a massage therapist’s touch and effectively release trigger points.
What We Like:
- Strong Hollow Core Roller
- Ergonomic Size
- Carry Bag Included
What We Don’t Like:
- Short Roller Only
4. PTPFIT Massage Therapy Firm Foam Roller
Made from high-density foam, the PTPFIT foam roller is one of the best pieces of equipment for myofascial release.
The roller has a cone-shaped surface which allows for a deeper application of force to help improve mobility, keep the muscles loose, and reduce delayed onset muscle soreness.
What We Like:
- Cone-Shaped Surface
- High-Density
- Good Length
What We Don’t Like:
- Expensive
5. Gym Direct 91cm Premium Foam Roller
While all of the above foam rollers contain notches, waves, and bumps, this roller is lower-density and smooth.
The product is constructed with high-quality materials that prevent the foam from becoming misshapen with use.
While the product is great for light massage, it can also be incorporated into a workout.
What We Like:
- Non-Slip Material
- Durable EVA foam
- Well-Priced
What We Don’t Like:
- Smooth Surface Less Ideal For Myofascial Release
6. Physix Gear Muscle Roller
The Physix Gear Roller is very different from all of the other products on this list as it is a handheld massage stick.
The benefits of a massage stick are that you manually apply force and can target specific, hard-to-reach muscles.
This product contains a stainless steel core to prevent the stick from excessively bending or breaking.
What We Like:
- Versatile
- Effective for Targetting Specific Muscles
- Stainless Steel Core
What We Don’t Like:
- Can Be Awkward To Apply
7. OZStock EVA Foam Roller
Although foam rollers are typically used for physical therapy, they can also be used in workouts with a range of exercises for foam rollers.
The OZStock roller is a low-density, high-quality product that is perfect for pilates, yoga, and balance-based workouts. Furthermore, it can also be used for light self-massage.
What We Like:
- Cost-Effective
- Water and Oil Resistant Material
- Different Lengths Available
What We Don’t Like:
- Soft Material More Likely To Deform Over Time
Foam Roller Buyers’ Guide
Before reviewing a number of the key features of the best foam rollers, we will first consider the benefits of regular self-massage and discuss how to effectively foam roll.
Benefits of Foam Rolling
Foam rolling is a form of self-myofascial release (or self-massage) and it involves placing a force onto the muscles of the body in order to release any tension held within the muscle.
As a result, the potential benefits are similar to that of a deep tissue massage.
When used properly, a foam roller can effectively reduce muscle tightness, ease soreness, improve circulation, promote recovery from training, and enhance mobility and flexibility.
When used pre-training, foam rolling can help to warm the muscles, increase range of motion, reduce the risk of sustaining an injury, and may even lead to improved athletic performance.
Meanwhile, post-training rolling is used to as a cooldown technique to help reduce muscle tension and generally facilitate the recovery process.
It can also be performed on non-training days to help keep the muscles loose, reduce the impact of sore muscles, and promote recovery and relaxation.
For most people, foam rolling is safe. However, those who have experienced a soft tissue injury should avoid applying force to the injured site as this may exacerbate the injury.
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How To Foam Roll Effectively
When it comes to using a foam roller, many people make the mistake of moving too quickly. The connective tissues that we are targeting are thick and fibrous, therefore, going too quickly will likely ineffective.
For optimal results, the force must be applied to the muscle in a smooth and controlled fashion.
In addition, if we uncover a particularly tight spot, often referred to as a “knot” or “trigger point”, it is recommended to spend some time is spent rolling out that particular area. Be willing to spend up to sixty seconds on a particular knot.
A second error that should be avoided is rolling over joints. Doing this might cause the overextension of the joint thus causing damage or injury.
Therefore, make sure to roll out the muscles individually rather than crossing joints. Furthermore, rolling directly on the lower back is not recommended as there is no protection from the ribcage.
Doing so may put direct pressure on specific internal organs, such as the kidneys.
Foam Roller Design
There are many different types of foam rollers that come in an array of shapes and sizes.
In this section, we will cover a number of key features that can have a big influence on the effectiveness of the product.
Texture
Many self-myofacial release products have lots of strange-looking grids, bumps, spikes, and notches embedded. The purpose of this is to allow the roller to dig deeper into the muscle.
It must be noted, however, that some rollers are entirely smooth. While these rollers will provide light pressure and release tension, they are also often used in workouts, such as pilates.
Therefore, generally speaking, the “trigger point” roller may be most effective for deep self-massage while the smooth rollers may be best for incorporating into your workouts.
Density
There is a range of roller densities. Low-density rollers tend to be soft and spongy and, therefore, do not tend to go very deep. These rollers are best used during warm-ups and for light self-myofascial release.
High-density rollers, on the other hand, are hard and provide a more intense experience. These rollers are beneficial for getting deep into the soft tissue and are particularly useful for dealing with knots.
It must be noted that a high-density foam roller does tend to cause a great deal of discomfort in comparison to a low-density foam roller.
The density that you choose is entirely dependent on your need and any limitations.
Length
Another important consideration to make is in regards to the length of the roller. Longer rollers are useful for rolling out larger areas at the same time and there are some exercises that require longer rollers.
For example, when rolling the back, a long roller can be aligned with the entire length of the spine whereas this cannot be done effectively with a short roller.
However, short rollers also have unique benefits and are especially useful for targeting specific muscles and knots.
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Durability
Considering the amount of force that muscle rollers are put under, it is critical that they have a high-quality construction that can withstand pressure.
The best hollow core rollers will be made out of rigid materials that will maintain shape and structure while poorly made products tend to break down quickly.
While this may appear to less of a concern for low-density foam rollers due to their spongy nature, low-grade rollers can quickly and easily become misshapen and deformed.
Features
Some rollers have a number of additional features built-in. As with the 5Billion roller, some foam rollers use the hollow core in order to provide a simple storage space.
Furthermore, it is now possible to purchase a vibrating foam roller that has been designed to help the muscles relax further.
