Foamrolling

[david__001]

Quote

Foam rolling. Can anyone spell it out to me.
I have quite tight hamstrings from squatting, would doing some foam rolling help this?
I gather there are different sizes and coloured accordingly, which would be the best one to get for leg rolling?
I can't find the info i know i have seen before on the forum.

Having integrated self-massage techniques into my program of physical activity for some time now, I am a big believer in the benefits of doing so, especially as I age.

I have found that a good progression of "myofascial rolling" tools is as follows:

1. OPTP's "Axis" Roller. (Comprised of black dense foam. This, I believe, is that hardest/toughest roller made entirely of foam.)
2. Trigger Point's "The Grid" roller. (Comes in Orange or Black -- they are both the same density.)
3. Rumble Roller Std. (Blue).
4. Rumble Roller Dense (Black). (A beastly massage device, useful for very dense/tough areas of musculature. Sometimes I use this without any "rolling" per se -- rather, I just position the roller at a pressure point and make subtle movements. These, along with the force of my bodyweight, can result in some excellent massages of problem areas.)

These days, I find myself only really using the Rumble Rollers, although I started out with OPTP's Axis roller and found it to be an excellent product.

There are other tools I like, such as:

* Lacrosse Ball(s).
* Tennis Ball(s).
* Trigger Point's "Quadballer".
* Tiger Tail Massager (Two models -- "short"/std. and "long".) (I prefer these to "The Stick" models.)
* "The Stick" Massager (Many different models -- some uncessary in my opinion. I have a few of these, but I find myself reaching for the Tiger Tail units these days.)
* Back Nobber / Back Nobber 2.
* Thera Cane.
* Trigger Wheel.

[Big Alf]

I've recently started using a length of 1.5 inch PVCu plumbing pipe and it works a treat, especially loosening up my back and glutes after a squat/deadlift session and it cost nothing as I aquired it from a skip on the street!!!