So can anyone tell me what the deal is with foam rollers? I never actually paid much attention too those threads involving them but maybe I'm missing something here? What do they do exactly? stretch muscles?
thx
that's a great article AJ, thx!
One question though: Does a foam roller have the same benefits (and more) as stretching? Except that stretching gets results faster?
that's a great article AJ, thx!
One question though: Does a foam roller have the same benefits (and more) as stretching? Except that stretching gets results faster?
I don't agree with that statement.
Foam rolling helps break up knots and crap in your muscle tissues. It helps increase the quality of your muscle tissue. As a result, mobility, flexibility, etc can be improved. My problem area was always my glutes and hamstrings. A few months of foam rolling and they felt great. I can put my palms on the floor now (like that means anything) but my mobility is a whole lot better and it just feels betters. I noticed that as I loosened up my tight hip flexors, glutes, and hamstrings, I got a whole lot faster. Foam roller = my hero.
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Eric's article on foam rollers is excellent. Tony Gentilcore wrote an article on other modalities for soft tissue work in addition to the foam roller: Soft Tissue Work for Tough Guys
The purpose of the foam roller or any soft tissue work is to improve tissue quality. Tightness, adhesions and neural-hyperactivity are addressed with soft tissue work. The results will improve your flexibility, but static stretching will not address the issues that soft tissue work addresses. Do both.
I'd like to get one, since I've heard so much good stuff about them. Where would you recommend I get one? I've searched a few sites, and they are asking almost $20! I thought EC mentioned they were about $10 in his article on T-Nation. But where??
I'd like to get one, since I've heard so much good stuff about them. Where would you recommend I get one? I've searched a few sites, and they are asking almost $20! I thought EC mentioned they were about $10 in his article on T-Nation. But where??
The $10 models are the typical biofoam that will start breaking down in a month.
I'd recommend an elite foam roller from perform better (look at the bottom of the page for a link that gives credit to JP). Dos said he's had his for a couple years at least and it still has the same shape as the day he bought it.
I'd like to get one, since I've heard so much good stuff about them. Where would you recommend I get one? I've searched a few sites, and they are asking almost $20! I thought EC mentioned they were about $10 in his article on T-Nation. But where??
I grabbed a PVC pipe from work, wrapped it in a towel (my mom complained the plain pipe caused her too much pain) and it works great and I'm sure would have been cheap to buy!
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Too bad, I can't order from perform better, shipping would probably kill me.
The only Dutch store I found sells them for 20$ or something, and I don't even know what quality it is . Maybe I should just use those tennisballs or Spanish Techno's idea.
I have a tendency to only use mine when I'm really sore or my muscles feel tight. That is probably not often enough to realize the benefits that Kevin mentioned (mobility, flexibility, speed, etc.).
Eric this, Eric that - you didn't see Eric's picture in that article, did you?
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Guys, To give Mike credit, they both wrote the article, and it was very well done. The only thing I would change is the title. it should read..."Feel Better for $22.95 plus shipping"
Oh, This must be your Sexy Back pic. I think the title was "Nut-Roll" for this one...
I have a tendency to only use mine when I'm really sore or my muscles feel tight. That is probably not often enough to realize the benefits that Kevin mentioned (mobility, flexibility, speed, etc.).
Yup. I need to get off my butt more and roll. Maybe that will be my Christmas break resolution.
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Too bad, I can't order from perform better, shipping would probably kill me.
The only Dutch store I found sells them for 20$ or something, and I don't even know what quality it is . Maybe I should just use those tennisballs or Spanish Techno's idea.
Here are some other ideas for soft tissue work with items you can find around your home:
HAHAHAHAHA I tried it. I liked it! Got my rolling pin right here in my office, hahahahaha.
LOL
Actually, this reminded me of an idea that I've toyed with in the past. My quads have been giving me fits this week, so I just rolled them out with a magic marker for 5 minutes, sitting at my desk. Amazingly, I feel looser than I have in a week!
"No nuts were rolled in the production of this picture"
Quote:
Originally Posted by Newlife
Guys, To give Mike credit, they both wrote the article, and it was very well done. The only thing I would change is the title. it should read..."Feel Better for $22.95 plus shipping"
Oh, This must be your Sexy Back pic. I think the title was "Nut-Roll" for this one...
If I had a choice between paying $30 or not having a foam roller, I'd doll out the $30, no question.
I've come to rely on my foam roller too Ian.
If someone is on the fence about getting a foam roller, buy the $8.50 one and see if it helps you and if you're going to use it consistently. If you fall in love with the concept of soft tissue work, you can always buy the Elite roller next time you need a new one. It's true that it's more durable, but you don't have to start there.
i don't know if you guys know this, but if you go to a medical store they will most likely have foam rollers. They charge about $60 bucks for the rollers though, maybe more. That's the way the medical supplier stores are around here. $20 isn't bad if you use it often.
Foam rollers
i feel so much better
Linear Mode
