Foam Roller How To
I’m a big fan of foam rollers!
I started using a 3ft foam roller about 2 months after starting to train for triathlons. I have no idea how I managed to overlook them as a recovery tool for so long but after a few weeks I was sold.
Rollers were originally used in Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine but have since migrated to the gym and beyond. Technically using a roller employs a technique called self-myofacial release (SMRT) which basically translates to a “self-massage”. Similar to heading down to the local massage therapist for deep tissue massage, using a foam roller allows you to massage out those knots that form from every day life as well as training.
I’m of the ’stretch before and after’ camp, so I typically plan 2-3 minutes on the foam roller regardless of the type of workout I have planned and on off days I’ll “roll” while watching TV. Careful though, after a few days/weeks of eliminating the tender spots, it can become quite addictive.
One of the best things about the foam roller is that it’s highly versatile. Over a short period of time you’ll find that the ‘knots’ begin to relax and you’ll need to move on to other problem areas.
Happy rolling…
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