Saturday, May 21, 2011

Roll one up

Meet your new best friend:

The foam roller! ALL athletes need to utilize this tool.  Foam rolling (also known as Self-myofascial Release) helps relieve those trigger points or "knots" in your muscles.  This is essentially a form of self massage and the video below gives a good foundation of starter exercises with a foam roller.

To use these things, roll a muscle such as your quadriceps using your body weight.  Once you find a painful spot, roll back and forth SLOWLY for about 30-60 seconds until you feel less or no pain in that spot.  Then move onto the next spindle.

Another reason they're great:
Affordability.  Foam rollers cost ~$20 and have a lifespan of about a year with everyday use.  Compared to a $60 PER HOUR massage from a massage therapist, it is a great deal.  And if you're really in the deep, like me, get one of these:
I got one at Walmart for $6.  They hurt like hell for the first month but nothing releases those trigger points like a good, old rolling pin.  I can't get a good massage through the foam roller anymore!


And as I stated above, here is a video of a couple ways to massage yourself :)



Im off for a 3 hour bike and a 1 hour run right after, everyone have a good day, stay fit and don't waste your money!!

23 comments:

  1. Do they have any scientific studies backing them, or could this be some pain, placebo effect?

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  2. i've seen recommendations up the yin yang for these things but heard nothing on the technical details for it.

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  3. i don't think i would experiment that exercise.. it looks weird

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  4. I'd buy one purely because she is HOT.

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  5. If nothing else, it looks like fun.

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  6. I wouldn't use this but good info. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. nice tips and thanks for the great advices to keep workout on budget!

    I have followed your blog..Could you follow mine too please?

    Sky Stock Analysis

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  8. i like your blog mate! Good job!

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  9. I'm liking what you're doing with your blog. Followed. Keep up the good work, I'm interested in hearing more.

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  10. That rolling pin massage sounds intense. I would like to try it.

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  11. Wow that's really...strange. Interesting though! I feel lazy everytime I see this blog.

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  12. That's interesting, thanks for sharing that!

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  13. You can really save some money instead going to massages every day.

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  14. I need a roll for my back. it's killing me

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  15. normally id be skeptical but ive actually heard something similar from a friend before...

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  16. Wow... good find, cause I am always down for a cheap massage technique.

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  17. WOw does it really work I wonder I bet so if you have the motivation

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