Foam Rollers & Massage Rollers
With a wide range available to support your exercise, foam rollers and massage rollers are an inexpensive and easy-to-use fitness accessory that can be used for a number of different exercises. Great for improving balance for sports, ab workouts, Pilates, and a range of other exercises. Buy exercise rollers online at GymEquipment.co.uk with top brands like Jordan and Physical Company.
Foam rollers tend to be used in general fitness, Pilates, physiotherapy, and myofascial massage. Essentially, they are long cylindrical pieces of soft foam available as a half round or full round.
They may not necessarily be the most exciting piece of gym equipment but they can be a great way to warm up, stretch the body, improve posture, and prevent getting injuries all from your home gym. So, what’s not to like? Oh, and they are also relatively cheap!
How can foam rollers help?
Foam rollers achieve the same effect as a sports massage, for less money. Not only do massage rollers stretch muscles but they can also improve flexibility. You will also be able to target joint pain and general muscle soreness, such as back pain from desk work. Manual workers could also really benefit, especially if the work they do involves heavy lifting. You can find out more about this in our guide to foam roller massages.
Core conditioning can also be achieved from the exercise roller. Using your own bodyweight to put pressure on muscles will require you to hold positions for short periods at a time, which will also work your core muscles.
How to use a foam roller
Simply place the targeted muscles on the gym roller and, using your body weight to apply pressure, roll the muscle up and down the roller to stimulate blood flow. Foam rolling may initially hurt but that is normal.
Do pay particular attention to areas that are tight and sore and roll over these areas more slowly. The most common trouble areas that the foam roller can help with include hamstrings and shoulder and chest areas (often negatively affected by sitting slumped over a desk all day). Be careful when using the foam roller. If you experience continued pain or discomfort, then seek out medical advice.
What to look in a massage roller
Ensure that you buy a quality, high density body roller that will keep its shape. Also ensure that it has a non-slip surface. Do check that the length and circumference is right for your shape and fitness levels.
Shop the range of Pilates rollers at GymEquipment.co.uk with free UK delivery on orders over £99. Don't forget to enquire about our gym design service too. We can help you create the perfect rehabilitation space for your needs.