Are you thinking about buying a foam roller? But, not quite sure what they do? Well, help is at hand.
Foam rollers come in all wonderful shapes and sizes and they can look pretty funky too, with various bumpy, raised textures and surfaces. One thing they all do, however, is help muscle recovery.
What is a foam roller?
A foam roller is a lightweight, cylindrical tube of compressed foam. Boasting many benefits it can be used to reduce muscle pains, increase flexibility and reduce soreness. They can also be incorporated into a variety of mobility exercises.
Foam rolling is a method of self-myofascial release.
Some rollers are shorter making them good for massaging a specific area, whereas others have a smaller diameter that will help with your balance.
Benefits of foam rolling:
• Ease muscle pain – foam rolling is great for relieving sore muscles and reducing inflammation.
• Relieve back pain – foam rolling can be great for helping ease any tension in the back when using your foam roller vertically to your spine.
• Helps to relax - foam rolling is a great post-workout activity, breaking up tightness in your muscles may help you feel less tense and hopefully more calm!
• Flexibility – foam rolling can help to increase your range of motion and in course help with flexibility.
A top tip to remember when you’re using a foam roller is practice makes perfect. At first, it can feel a little bit uncomfortable because your body is getting used to it. It’s essential to always roll it along slowly and apply pressure to the direct area.
9 of the best foam rollers UK 2021
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Best affordable foam roller
Extremely lightweight yet stimulating on muscles, this foam roller is perfect for taking on the go to the gym or your next Pilates class.
| Size: | 33 x 14cm |
| Weight: | 850g |
- Multi-massager with three different surface levels
- Includes foam rolling exercise guide
Best overall foam roller
Get instant relief and reduce muscle pain with Amazon’s number one bestselling foam roller from FitNation. With its durable design and free personal training guides, you’ll be a pro foam roller in no time!
| Size: | 33 x 14 cm |
- Free exercise booklet and online videos included
- Dimples on the 3D surface guarantee a deep massage
Best foam roller for a deep massage
uk.gymshark.com
For deep-tissue massaging, effective injury prevention and post-workout muscle rehabilitation, the Premium Foam Roller is ideal. Its advanced foam pattern works to iron out the tightest knots and shift the most stubborn lactic acid to ensure you’re ready for your next workout, whenever it comes.
- Advanced-level foam pattern
- Lightweight and portable
- Durable high-density foam
Best luxury foam roller
www.lululemon.co.uk
Release post-sweat tension in your back, arms, and legs with this two-in-one roller. Featuring two rollers in one, the exterior roller is perfect for massaging arms and legs, while the interior roller works best to release tension in your back. Combine both for a deep full-body massage.
| Size: | 50.8 x 13 cm |
- Dense foam is durable and supportive
- Two-in-one roller
Best foam roller set for beginners
Use FitBeast Foam Rollers 4 Piece Set to flush lactic acid from your muscles and increase blood flow with deep tissue massage which will relieve muscle tension in your legs, back and body as well as improve sleep. This set is the perfect starter kit for relieving all sore muscles and tension.
- Includes – Foam roller, soft foam roller, lacrosse massage ball and hard massage ball all in a handy carry bag
- Free foam roller course included
Best lightweight foam roller
www.bulk.com
The Bulk foam roller’s varied pattern works to tackle the tightest of knots and shift stubborn lactic acid to ensure that you’re raring to go for your next workout. It is light and portable, strong and robust, and has the added benefit of being non-porous and easy to clean.
| Size: | 33 x 13 cm |
- Varied pattern to pinpoint different muscles
- Easy to clean, lightweight and portable
Best foam roller for design
www2.hm.com
Keen to get into foam rolling and want to look stylish while doing so? Then this offering from H&M is quite literally perfect! Decked out in a varied textured surface and in a gorgeous light beige, we’re obsessed.
| Size: | 33 x 14 cm |
- Varied all-over textured surface
- Gorgeous light beige colour
Best foam roller for avid gym-goers
www.myprotein.com
This Muscle Roller is a training aid ideal for warm-up and recovery using deep tissue massage. It has built-in foam grooves and bumps on its surface to support muscle release for all sports enthusiasts from HIIT fanatics to budding boxers.
- Comes with an instructional guide
- Varied all-over textured surface
- Lightweight and portable
Best smooth foam roller
www.argos.co.uk
This medium/firm foam roller from Opti has a smooth surface for applying even pressure when massaging tense muscles. It can also be used as a support during yoga and Pilates for stretching and body strengthening, improving core muscle strength, posture and stability.
| Size: | 45 x 15 cm |
- Firm roller for gentle stretching
Foam rolling for beginners
As a beginner, you should always start slow, remember practice makes perfect so don't panic if you're not getting the hang of it after your first try. With time you will learn how foam rolling best suits you and the contours of your body because every body is different!
To get you started here is a great video to follow along to get you started on your foam rolling journey: