LittleJem started this discussion ·
Hi ladies, I want to really get serious about my flexibility training so been looking at foam rollers. Who knew there were so many different sizes?! I've no idea what length or diameter to go for - what do you ladies recommend? My flexibility level is currently somewhere in the 'rigor mortis' category if that makes any difference :)
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I got a high density 6 by 36 round foam roller on Amazon. I went with the Isokinetics brand because in my researching on various review and fitness sites it was one consistently ranked as of the less expensive but still good quality ones. And since I wasn't sure how much I would like it and/or use it, inexpensive but functionally sound was perfect for me. Most of the reviews said if you're going to get one then the 6 by 36 round is the most versatile, so I went with that. I'm happy with it as it is hard enough to still get those spots where I'm more open and not too hard that I can't adjust to a tolerable pain level for those spots where I'm super tight.
mizvix ·
i've only ever used one type - it's called a rumble roller http://www.rumbleroller.com/ we have the compact black one. My bf loves it - he does a lot of weight training and finds it's excellent. I find it's too firm for me, but do use it occasionally. The wee nodules are really good at getting into your muscles! I cant comment on ordinary ones cos i've never tried them, but have wrapped a mat around a wine bottle and used cricket balls!! lol! desperate times = desperate measures.
Haha, I actually tried it with a half-deflated football yesterday, glad I'm not the only one that went down the makeshift route lol. Thanks for the input, ladies - back to Amazon I go!
Haha, I actually tried it with a half-deflated football yesterday, glad I'm not the only one that went down the makeshift route lol. Thanks for the input, ladies - back to Amazon I go!
I've used one of the basic ones for several years, and it was only thru Veena's lessons that I learned that it was good for stretching! not just massage. Yes, it can be painful where you have knots or scar tissue, in the same way a sports massage can be painful ... time to resurrect the Lamaze breathing! Sometimes I can only drape myself on it, and work up to a little rolling. Veena's lessons are most imformative, but it comes down to "listen to your body" --- and learn. I first learned about these from a sports clinic. They needn't be expensive, but even if they were, they'd be worth it.
I love my high density long one. The long one allows me to do both legs at once! I like the hard one because it really massages those muscles. If you have knots, it hurts like the dickens, but if you do it everyday, the pain will go away quickly and it starts to feel good. Mine is from amazon by stott pilates.
I have the rumble rollers, a high density black roller, a cardboard roller (yikes by far the most dense!), the bead stick, and I also use tennis balls, and I would have to say that tennis balls can be the most intense. If you are just beginning, I would go for something solid but not too intense. I would say rumble rollers are not for beginners unless you are of the more masochistic type. Or just know that pain will not be something that keeps you from rolling. Like anything else, you want to begin at the beginning and work into doing it because rolling takes a little time to make sense to your body and there is definitely pain associated with it. The roller I use the most is the black high density extra firm roller by isokinetics. I have the 6" diameter by 36" length. Definitely avoid the white rollers or other not firm rollers. I have found that if I actually use them, they quickly lose shape.
Thank you for all the advice, folks. Sounds like there's a lot more to it than I originally thought! Sports and fitness shops are pretty rubbish hereabouts so think I'll head on into the city at the weekend to see if I can try before I buy. Looking forward to getting started!
Veena ·
This is an all around good roller and it's the one I use in the lessons, it's on Amazon! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MVHOQA/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=giggecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000MVHOQA
Charley ·
I like the black high density foam rollers! There are others out there that are softer or harder the black one seems to be the sturdiest to me. I really would like to try the rumble roller! I don't think that would be great for beginners though. I bought a basic roller from a sports store and even though it's not very hard - it killed me for a long time, now I barely feel it.
Veena ·
I have a purple rumble roller and love it. Yeah, not great for new users. 😲
Charley ·
Veena - do rumble roller colors have anything to do with density or does it matter with a RR?
Veena ·
Yes, at least that was the case with the brand I bought. Mine is "firm", and a bit larger in diameter than a normal roller. They also make very small, really hard ones in gray. Purple just happened to be the firmness I wanted. I found mine in a sporting goods shop in Bismarck and ordered it off Amazon. It has long ridges instead of bumps. http://www.amazon.com/Thera-Roll-Textured-Therapy-Roller-GREYHARD3X8PURPLEFIRM3X8/dp/B003XX5AF6/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1334632436&sr=1-2
