December 13, 2019
After that hard workout or run, most people would love to get a chance to receive a massage, to give relief to the sore muscles, correct? I am right here with you. However, for most of us, this isn’t likely available or affordable as often as we want. So what can you do instead to help your muscles recover and heal? Investing in a foam roller is the best choice! How do foam rollers work? A foam roller is an affordable alternative to a professional massage. It is a form of myofascial release that you can do on your own body. It works by massaging or releasing muscle and fascial tightness. The roller applies pressure, which helps loosen up sore muscles or tight joints. Rolling can be done before or after training, whatever is the most ideal in your fitness plan How to use a foam roller? To use a foam roller, slowly run the roller down stiff muscles (such as your calves, hamstrings, quads, Iliotibial (IT) bands and middle back), using your bodyweight to apply as much pressure as feels comfortable. Slow and steady is the key. Start by rolling along the length of the muscle, then you can follow up with small rolls over any spots that are tender. Take long breaths as you roll, as this helps to increase the flow of blood (and oxygen) to your muscles. The mixture of smooth and bumpy textures is designed to mimic the actions of a massage therapist, which can help to reduce muscle tension. Why Foam Roll Whether you work foam rolling in before a run, or you are to hold off until a workout is completed, it is said to help with flexibility and range of motion, as well as with your body’s overall recovery. Foam Rolling reduces soreness, prevents injuries, and improves flexibility. This affordable massage is just what every athlete, whether beginning or veteran, needs in their training plan. Tips for Foam Rolling When you are foam rolling, you can decide how much pressure you want to use. This will allow you to be comfortable with your exercises, and you can adjust throughout the process. You also want to make sure that you are always breathing throughout rolling. Sometimes we tend to hold our breath without realizing it, so make sure you remember to take big inhales and exhales while stretching or foam rolling. After training, people do not always feel an instant sense of soreness, and therefore, tend to hold off on foam rolling until a day or so after a workout. However, try your best to work in a foam rolling session after training as some times you do not feel sore until the next day. It is always best to start your foam rolling before you might become sore to prevent it. What are the benefits of foam rolling? Foam rolling can help reduce pain and muscle soreness. Massaging the muscles increases blood flow and oxygen to the tissue, helping the natural healing process. It promotes flexibility. Foam rolling, together with stretching and rehabilitation, can help lengthen your muscles. It helps to manage stress related muscle tightness. Stress-related tight spots can lead to discomfort, which can impact on your sleep. Once the tension is reduced, you might find yourself sleeping a whole lot better! It increases your range of motion as it stretches and lengthens muscles. It decreases the risk of common injuries. Tight muscles can be more prone to injury, so self-release of muscles and fascia can help loosen everything up and increase your overall performance. Foam rolling is known to reduce cellulite, as the increased blood flow can help your body’s natural detoxification processes. Foam Rolling Mistake One mistake that people make when foam rolling, is to continue rolling even if it hurts. You do not want to do this because it will prevent your body from wanting to ‘roll.’ You want to work through your soreness and make yourself slightly uncomfortable, but you do not want to bring pain upon yourself. Breathe through your movements and be able to relax. You also want to make sure you do not get discouraged by foam rolling. Often times in the beginning, foam rolling can feel like another workout, especially if your muscles are tight. Stick with it and make sure you get through it as it will get better with time. What type of Foam Roller Should I get? There are different types of foam rollers on the market. The construction of these foam rollers determines the cost, how long they will last (durability), and how comfortable they are. An under twenty dollar high-density round foam roller is your standard foam roller that will help with rehabbing your body, preventing injuries, and can be used for warming up before a run or for muscle soreness after your run. The only problem with a basic foam roller like this is that it may break down faster after some use. Another type of foam roller is a high-density foam roller that lasts at least four years, and has a bit firmer of a surface. Some people might like the surface being more firm, but if you don’t, it could become uncomfortable. Lastly, the most expensive foam roller of the three is one with dense foam wrapped around a plastic pipe. This means that it is firm and durable, but it will also give you a more intense foam rolling experience. 5 Exercises you MUST try All you need is a foam roller as you can do these exercises anywhere – outside, at a gym, in your living room watching TV! The five areas to focus on when rolling are hamstrings, calves, quadriceps, glutes, and upper back. Hamstring - begin by placing both legs on top of the roller just under your knees. Pressing your hands into the ground, raise your hips and slowly begin to roll from below the knee to the ankle. If you find a spot that is a bit sore, stop and hold for 15 seconds. Calves - Put the roller under your calf and rest your other foot on the floor. Roll from the ankle to below the knee. Slowly rotate your leg in and out. Stack your ankles if you want to add more pressure. Repeat for 25 seconds and then switch legs. Quadriceps – start as if you were going into a plank position. Begin by placing the roller just above your kneecap. Slowly roll towards the hip and then back down. Repeat for 25 seconds and then switch legs. Glutes – place the foam roller under your glutes, you will want to roll yourself from your glutes, down to your knees and back up. Repeat for 25 seconds. If you want, you can lean to one side so you can roll the sides of your glutes as well. Upper Back – lay back on the foam roller for it to be jus below your shoulder blades. Place your hands behind your head as if you were doing a sit-up, lift your hips up and roll to the middle of your back and reverse. Repeat for 25 seconds. A few last tips Remember that foam rolling can be a little bit uncomfortable to begin with, especially when you roll over muscles that feel tight. Go lightlyif you find an area particularly painful; placing too much direct pressure on an area of inflammation may make things worse. Instead, decrease the pressure slightly, or work on the surrounding tissue instead. I found foam rolling a fantastic addition to my rehabilitation and recovery sessions. They can also be used to support some movements during yoga or pilates, so they are a fantastic addition to any home gym!