foam rolling

[baxtej44]

Looking to get into it and make it a habit. What foam roller did you buy?

[Anthony21]

Looking to get into it and make it a habit. What foam roller did you buy?

Just go to your local sports/fitness store. They should have a basic 4-6" roller.

[ChecksandGiggles]

Obtain a 2-3 foot length of PVC pipe. Cover it in duct tape. Done.

[FunkymonkAW]

Anything dense will do.

[BombDonald]

Obtain a 2-3 foot length of PVC pipe. Cover it in duct tape. Done.

Kabbbbooooommmmm.

[TheWickerman]

Obtain a 2-3 foot length of PVC pipe. Cover it in duct tape. Done.

Tbh, this. $3

[Kemo1990]

home depot brand

[bmontgomery87]

Obtain a 2-3 foot length of PVC pipe. Cover it in duct tape. Done.

this.

[Unsaid]

I dropped the 15 bucks for one off elitefts when they had a sale and free shipping. I've tried PVC and honestly didn't like it, but most of the guys I know went that route.

The elitefts one is pretty firm compared to what you see in most sports goods stores or commercial gyms. A nice middle ground.

[xRequiem]

Just use bare pvc

[Xuaxace]

When you start out a foam roller is enough, but soon enough it isn't hard enough and that is when a harder roll (like a pvc pipe) shines over a foam rolller.

If you actually get a pvc, roll very carefully until you get used to it.

[ilovethe80s]

If I remember right, the black foam rollers are usually denser than the white. I use 3 different rollers. A long, black for shoulder stretches and gentle warm up rolling, the bare PVC pipe for shoulder and back knots, and then only thing I have found to work on my painful hams/ adductors is the rumble roller. I have the extra dense one and everyone else seems to hate it (the thing is like a weapon) but if you have any area not responding to regular rolling, that does the trick. HTH.

[LiftersBlog]

I use a black high-density foam roller, it will feel painful for the first times you use it but after that it should feel uncomfortable but not painful.

[baxtej44]

I was thinking about just getting a black foam one, or one that's labeled as firm because I'm not afraid of a little good pain lol

[bigfor15]

I have a high-density black roller that my S&C coach buddy gave me, then three sections of pvc pipe (4", 6", and 8"). I can really hit those sensitive areas with the black roller and then get good muscle penetration on various muscle groups with the different sections of pvc. I also have a pretty cheap spiky hand roller that I use once in a while for my hams/groin and other hard to reach areas.

One thing I would recommend is starting with a softer roller and then picking up pvc later. It's great to have options, especially when you forget to roll for a couple weeks and will probably die on anything hard.

[chicago]

When you start out a foam roller is enough, but soon enough it isn't hard enough and that is when a harder roll (like a pvc pipe) shines over a foam rolller.

If you actually get a pvc, roll very carefully until you get used to it.

This. I think you should start with foam and work up to PVC. Otherwise PVC will hurt so bad you won't ever want to do it.

[BigJon55]

I got a pool noodle from wal mart and shoved a pvc pipe through the hole in the center to keep it from collapsing

[zmcdole]

PVC sounds like a winner to me. I've been through several foam rollers prolly spent $60 altogether and they just wear out.

[xDerekx]

I like the rumble roller

[Unsaid]

I got a pool noodle from wal mart and shoved a pvc pipe through the hole in the center to keep it from collapsing

Wow... What a good idea! I haven't heard of that before, going to recommend it to a friend of mine and see how it works for him.

[danjh2705]

I use a bare 5" PVC pipe when I need the pain. If I need to back off slightly I fill an empty 2ltr bottle to the top with water and that takes the edge off. It won't deform much since it is an incompressible fluid.

[Garage Rat]

Start with something semi firm and then upgrade to more firm and eventually knobby type or as mentioned above hard PVC pipe.
Dont start with something that will be pure torture.
Get use to one then advance.
Foam rolling is a great self massage tool when you dont have the money to get a massage.
Be faithful to it like your workouts and you will feel much better.