Q & A Monday: Foam Rollers

Oh, FLG, how you read my mind sometimes I will never know.

This was on the posts-to-do list, whenever I managed to get off my kiester and get me my own foam roller. With the intention that you would have nice images of me clad in pink and black while you read my ramblings, but I suppose some links will do the trick just fine :)

Seriously folks, I urge you to head on over to The Fat Lazy Guy's Log if you haven't already been, his life and journey is so entirely entertaining and inspirational. Laughter and tears, all in one fabulous blog...GO!

Question of the week:

I've heard about foam rollers. Those self-massage things. "Self-Myofascial Release Technique". How effective/easy/rubbish are those things? Have you used them before? Would you recommend them?

I love me a foam roller. I use it as a gentle warm- up, cool-down or for muscle release.

Myofascial Release. Myo- means muscle ,Fascia means tissue. What people are referring to when they speak of a 'myofascial release technique' is a lessening of the tension which surrounds either a specific muscle or a muscle group.

Tension in our body manifests itself in the form of what are commonly referred to as 'knots' or trigger points. They form when a muscle (often times seen in the neck/shoulder area in the levator scapulae muscle) is overactive, never seeing a full release of a contraction, leading to muscle spasms. This spasm will inevitably form in the area of the muscle which has the least resistance (or most flexible tissue structure), thus resulting in an imbalance in the muscular system. (...how to release and prevent is a post for another day, please feel free to ask questions freely in the comments below).

Foam rollers are a great way to release these tensions and tissue imbalances that can build up in areas such as the shins (from shin splints), Iliotibial band and quads.

They can also be helpful to understanding the relationship of your spine to your extremities (i.e. arms and legs). Laying on it so that the roller runs the length of your spine and performing arm circles or leg drops allows your body to understand pure joint movement, and prevents you from stealing movement from your spine to achieve a desired range.

Foam Rollers can up your ab workout in an instant as well!!

Balanced Body Foam Rollers are my absolute fav. Some rollers will become misshaped with any uneven forced, but these are very firm and will last you a long time.

Foam Roller exercise links:

• Push-ups, Cobras, Leg extensions and Bridges.


• Great Resource on how to release muscle tension using the roller


• Click here to go to a google search page which will reveal a list of search items. Click the first PDF file from PerformBetter.com which will yield a PDF doc on foam roller exercises. Also Fitter1.com has one that will show up there as well. GREAT RESOURCES that I didn't want you to miss out on! (wasn't sure how else to share those links with you :)

Have you guys given foam rollers a chance? What do you think? What do you use it for?

QUESTIONS? QUESTIONS? Ask Away!!