Foam Rolling?

[tomlsp]

Should you foam roll after a heavy weights session. I've heard that you shouldn't foam roll or stretch after a heavy weights session to allow your muscles to recover.
Would appreciate if someone could clear this up for me.

[Northernmoris]

I just got one the other day. It seems like the consensus is use it any time. Before, after, day off etc.. I searched multiple sites and videos. I'm sure kbkb has some good advice or links.

In4moreinfo.

[BackI00]

Foam rolling is great anytime, especially before working out as it brings blood to the muscles while loosening them safely.
Never heard not to use it afterwards, but stretching is ideal after working out so foam rolling has to be safe and even ideal post workout as well.

[KBKB]

Here is a good article on foam rolling:

http://www.strengthcoach.com/public/1303.cfm

[mroc17]

http://robertsontrainingsystems.com/...Techniques.pdf

Another good source. Foam rolling is awesome, just plain works.

I usually foam roll a little before a lower body session, always afterwards any session. I mix it in with some dynamic stretching and mobility drills. Always before and after a run. I definitely do it 1-2 times on off days as well. I do some static stretching as well post workouts, but most of the time I do that at night before bed.

[ProtienandIron]

I only ever foam roll after a workout, and on days off when I'm feeling particularly sore.

[XShreddedX]

I prefer to do a little foam rolling (2-3 minutes) before lower body workouts along with my stretching/ mobility work on my IT band, piriformis, and hip flexors, but nothing major.

After lower body workouts I will usually do a full 10-15 minute rolling session focusing on all parts of my legs and back. On off days I will do the same, along with an extra few minutes rolling some upper body muscles like my chest

[Andrew_WOT]

Which rollers do you guys prefer?

[zalcrux]

Which rollers do you guys prefer?

I recently picked up the EFS Foam Roller 36x6, and I really enjoy using it. I've noticed that it makes a huge difference on my lower body days when I squat in regards to depth. Prior to using the foam roller I wasn't able to go below parallel on my first set of squats. I'll be honest and say that I thought the whole foam roller thing was a gimmick at first, but it really makes a huge difference. It makes for a fantastic warm up.

I've also used it after my workouts, and don't see why there would be a problem doing so.

[Northernmoris]

I recently picked up the EFS Foam Roller 36x6, and I really enjoy using it. I've noticed that it makes a huge difference on my lower body days when I squat in regards to depth. Prior to using the foam roller I wasn't able to go below parallel on my first set of squats. I'll be honest and say that I thought the whole foam roller thing was a gimmick at first, but it really makes a huge difference. It makes for a fantastic warm up.

I've also used it after my workouts, and don't see why there would be a problem doing so.

Just got the same one from fts. I like it so far, I don't care for massages, call me crazy but like the feeling from the roller. Like they say it is easy to find the knots and sore spots.

Kb and mroc thanks for the links.

[Cleveland33]

Which rollers do you guys prefer?

a two foot long piece of 6" PVC

[BackI00]

a two foot long piece of 6" PVC

This. I have a 2ft cheap foam roller, a running dr stick, and the 6" pvc pipe. They all are useful, but the foam is significantly bowed in the middle and it, as well as the rolling stick are hard to get deep into larger muscles. They are useful for calves/psoas area/back and shoulders, and just to loosen and feel good.

I have chronically tight IT bands and hamstrings, so i find the pvc to be the only decent (although masochistic) way to loosen those up.

[Andrew_WOT]

I was closely looking at
Trigger Point Performance The Grid 2.0
http://www.amazon.com/Trigger-Point-...7011230&sr=8-3
and
RumbleRoller
http://www.amazon.com/OPTP-RR316-Rum...7011317&sr=1-1
Seems like these two are the most popular. Based on reviews and feedback on the net, picked up Grid 2.0, pretty solid roller.