Anyone use foam rollers on their legs/lower back?

[jackamo2887]

Anyone tried them? Did it increase your flexibility and mobility at all?

[ricknadell]

Anyone tried them? Did it increase your flexibility and mobility at all?

They increase mobility. Not flexibility. Flexibility is the static pulling of a muscle and has little application in sports. Mobility is more related to ROM and is much more applicable to sports.

Foam rolling is a form of self massage known as self-myofascial release. SMR basically releases the body's knots and thus improves ROM. Its sort of controversial in that the old timers really hate it and the new research is fairly inconclusive. However, I use it and all my athletes do. I'm a big fan.

Don't spend $40/50 though. Go to home depot and get a pvc pipe for like $3

[ccrump1212]

They increase mobility. Not flexibility. Flexibility is the static pulling of a muscle and has little application in sports. Mobility is more related to ROM and is much more applicable to sports.

Foam rolling is a form of self massage known as self-myofascial release. SMR basically releases the body's knots and thus improves ROM. Its sort of controversial in that the old timers really hate it and the new research is fairly inconclusive. However, I use it and all my athletes do. I'm a big fan.

Don't spend $40/50 though. Go to home depot and get a pvc pipe for like $3

No need to buy a foam roller, pvc pipe works or you can use a tennis ball or lacrosse ball (hurts more). Myofascial release along with static/dynamic stretching will definitely help increase mobility and has helped me eliminate muscle imbalances that caused a lot of lower back and neck pain.

[01tj]

They increase mobility. Not flexibility. Flexibility is the static pulling of a muscle and has little application in sports. Mobility is more related to ROM and is much more applicable to sports.

Foam rolling is a form of self massage known as self-myofascial release. SMR basically releases the body's knots and thus improves ROM. Its sort of controversial in that the old timers really hate it and the new research is fairly inconclusive. However, I use it and all my athletes do. I'm a big fan.

Don't spend $40/50 though. Go to home depot and get a pvc pipe for like $3

I use something similar and it's lasted quite some time. The foam rolls don't last very long

[ByronKelly]

I use something similar and it's lasted quite some time. The foam rolls don't last very long

If you do want a foam roller winners sells the dual core ones for 20$

[XCRunner9]

I do, but I use a tennis ball which works just as well imo. Really loosens up the parts I need. Also use it in conjunction with static stretching. Really helps.

[China505]

foam rollers, lacrosse balls, tennis balls. They all work great, I use some for of that most days.

[lee168]

I use them all the time before and after training. After rolling I feel that my muscles are not as tight to begin with therefore allowing me to contract my muscles more. Once you get used to them, you will never pay for a massage again

[China505]

I use them all the time before and after training. After rolling I feel that my muscles are not as tight to begin with therefore allowing me to contract my muscles more. Once you get used to them, you will never pay for a massage again

Unless you live in china like me where you can walk in and get hour and a half long deep tissue work done for like 3 usd

[The Running Man]

If the PVC pipe works for you, that's great, but depending on your level of leaness, and how bad your myofascial tightness and adhesions are, it might just be too much. If you can't properly relax into the roller it's not necessarily going to be an effective or pleasant experience.

[krakkerz]

I use them all the time before and after training. After rolling I feel that my muscles are not as tight to begin with therefore allowing me to contract my muscles more. Once you get used to them, you will never pay for a massage again

If the massage you're paying for compares to a foam roller, you really need to find a better masseuse.

[Knucklesanguich]

I use one and find it really helps, I should use it more often though.