Foam Roller Product Review

A foam roller is a piece of equipment that is used primarily for self-myofascial release. Basically, you use it for self-massage. Without a doubt, the foam roller is the most efficient and most valuable piece of equipment for those trying to stay healthy without seeing a professional.

Why do you need soft-tissue work? Over time, repetitive postures and even regular physical activity cause a great deal of stress to your muscles. This stress results in the creation of scar tissue or the reaction of your body to "hold on" to excess tension. This is a problem for multiple reasons.


First, scar tissue has no functional purpose. Scar tissue cannot contract to produce force like healthy muscle can. It is simply just there to take up space and may cause a restriction your movement.

Second, excess muscle tension causes muscle imbalances that may lead to negative postural adaptations. When a muscle carries extra tension, that muscle is too stiff. Stiffness is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is a problem when a simple stretch cannot relieve that stiffness.

Third, it can be painful. If you have ever had a massage or have had trigger point therapy, you know that there are regions that are highly sensitive to touch. Even if you haven't had these treatments, I'm sure you can identify points on your body that are painful when you apply pressure there.

Fourth, poor muscle tissue quality is a precursor to serious injury.

The foam roller is your simple solution to all of these problems. Spending just a few minutes a day or before a workout on a foam roller can do wonders for breaking down scar tissue, relieving tension, and improving muscle tissue quality. Every fitness professional and strength coach that takes his or her job seriously utilizes this implement.

Question: What if I don't know how to use a foam roller?
Answer: http://robertsontrainingsystems.com/downloads/Self-Myofascial-Release-Purpose-Methods-and-Techniques.pdf

Question: What if I can't afford to use a foam roller?
Answer: You simply cannot afford not to use a foam roller. Not only that, but Perform Better offers high quality foam rollers starting out for less than 10 dollars.

Note: You'll want to purchase the round foam rollers for soft tissue work, not the half rollers.

In today's day and age, it is a BIG mistake not to use one.

Just a word of advice: foam rolling can be very painful the first time you try it. If it is, you know you need a lot of soft tissue work. Over time, you will find that foam rolling gets less and less painful. This is a sign that your muscle tissue quality is improving. So, don't get discouraged if certain areas of your body (like the much hated IT Band) hurt A LOT when you first roll them. Just keep going, and you might eventually find that foam rolling can be quite an enjoyable experience.

Get your foam roller here.