20 Best Foam Rollers For Runners (2023 Updated)

I wanted to order a BIG Size back massager, and I end up with a small size back roller. That’s not described in the descriptions. It’s a false advertisement on the photo size and not knowing big or small.

The good thing is that it still works but it’s a little bit harder to control. I would recommend to message the salesman before buying.

You want a better spine. Sleep painless again. Doctors will no fix your spine they will give you pills and burn nerve endings. My eyes are open! Shame on the medical community keeping me in pain so they can make money.

Works really well. Sturdy enough for a lot of weight to roll on it. A lot, meaning over 250 lb. Feels great when you roll over it as instructed

I ordered both the orange regular Grid roller and the Grid X to compare stiffness and I ended up keeping the Grid X only. I found the regular Grid roller to be almost as soft as my old blue foam roller (but the Grid is much better quality).

The Grid X is stiff enough to massage the bigger muscle groups (calf, back). It does not hurt more because it is stiffer (this actually depends on the level of pressure applied, not on roller stiffness).

I find it much easier to use and more effective than a softer roller. I’m very satisfied with this roller and I appreciate the grid pattern.

I purchased the Triggerpoint Grid X to replace an old foam roller that had become soft. I really like the level of firmness. My lower legs are often tight from running and this roller gets deep into the tissue without being so harsh that it’s painful.

Also, it’s super light but feels durable.

I bought this for my girlfriend, as she wanted a smooth foam roller to stretch-out her back. She already had another, “bumpy” roller. I got the 18″ model, because it is wide enough, and yet not too long to become unwieldy or awkward to store.

The quality and finish of the foam seems top-notch. Of course it has a simple look, but it also cost less than other ones, and at the end of the day, it’s being used as a self-care instrument, not as a showpiece.

I recommend it.

This is a nice roller but notably softer than the standard black ones. I would not call it firm, but compressible. There is some give which is good for many cases, but bad for cracking backs. It works well in conjunction with a harder roller.

Get if it’s you’re second one.

The high-density foam seems durable and will hopefully last for years to come. I really like the soft-textured surface – it’s definitely less intense than other textured surface foam rollers I’ve tried in the past.

It rolls well on flooring, carpeting and my yoga mat. Very satisfied with my purchase.

Most rollers are fine for general massage of large body areas such as the upper back. The Rollga does this and a whole lot more. The grooves allow you to work right up to joints such as thigh to hip, and the bumps allow continuing pressure to release trigger points.

Featherweight to travel without weighing you down. If you use a roller to release tension or relax muscles, this is not just another textured cylinder!.

My husband works at a college and was able to borrow a Rollga from the athletic trainer. We were sold after using it and then went on the hunt to order one for ourselves. The unique shape of the roller puts pressure right where you need it, making it incredibly versatile.

I have numerous foam rollers of various shapes and sizes. This one sits a little higher and is pretty dense. I find its a little easier to get at deeper tissue and isolate trigger points. Its very versatile.

Ive found it useful for rolling my back , shoulders and lats as well as hamstrings , glutes, calves , quads and hips.

This is the same foam roller that is used in my fitness center. I can now save some time at the gym and foam roll whenever I need it. The price, quality and size is great. Purchasing and shipping was super easy and quick.

The only thing that I wish is that it came with a chart; however, you can find one on-line.

This foam roller can be used after people desensitize to the white foam roller which is less dense. This one can be a little hard for lying on to start out. For bigger and heavier individuals its perfect though, because it wont break down over a very long time of use.

This is a quality product. It has the right amount of firmness for rolling out sore muscles. I would highly recommend.

This roller is good for full body stretching since it’s a larger size, and it makes it easy to use in different areas and massage different trigger points as well. I gave my old one to my Dad in hopes that he would see the benefits.

It’s great to be able to target problem areas on your own, especially when health and the current climate make it preferable to refrain from going out unless necessary. I do find that the little ones want to share its use which is not an issue since there is plenty to work with.

As someone who suffers from low back pain, the muscles in the surrounding areas are constantly over-tightened and this is one of the few things that will help when it’s worsening. It’s easy to use my own balance and weight with this as a tool to roll out the knots and apply the needed pressure deep into the muscles surrounding the sciatica to help to release the locked up joints and tense spots.

After seeing it in action my own husband who tends to ignore problem areas and deny pain, was curious to give it a go himself and couldn’t help but admit that it did in face make a difference. There are times when my back or hip is so locked up that it prevents regular use and this goes a long way toward getting me back to my normal self without the wait and struggle of finding childcare so I can go in for a chiropractic massage to allow someone else to release the muscle for me.

During cold weather it was a handy alternative to have and removes the mom guilt of dragging the little ones out into the elements and leaving them with someone so that I can finally get the self care I’ve been putting off for far too long.

I’m very much a DIY-ER when at all possible, and this allows me to get the trouble out of the way and keep going.

I decided to start using a resistance band in my workout routine since I’ve heard so much about them and how great they are. I recently received this Athletic Works resistance tube in Extra Heavy and I added it to my workout routine.

The first thing that is so great about resistance bands is the fact you can literally use them for an all over body workout. This band is very long which I find to be a huge plus. You can easily adapt the length of this to be used for upper body workouts by standing on it, or for lower body workouts.

You can even use this for core body workouts if you tie it to a doorknob or other stationary item. I loved the fact that inside the box was some different suggestions and ideas for workouts and ways to use the resistance band for different body parts like arms, legs, shoulders, and core.

The other great thing about this resistance band was how the handles were padded and comfortable during my workouts. There was no discomfort when using this band to workout because there was proper cushion on my hands during use.

The last thing I really liked about this band was the extra heavy resistance level. I love how strong this was and felt like it was very effective and just the amount I needed to feel challenged. It wasn’t too soft and easy but it wasn’t so hard that it was impossible either, but I do consider myself to be active.

Overall I liked this band and I really enjoyed adding it to my routine, and will keep using it for a long time. If you are looking for a heavy weight resistance band and are unsure about this one I would definitely recommend giving this one a shot.

I bought this for my daughter in law who grabs my roller to use whenever she comes to visit. She loves this foam roller. It’s long enough and has a touch of give on the surface. She’s got back injuries from long ago gymnastics.

She rolls on it frequently to release the tensions. Her daughters love it too. Great purchase.

When I bought this item, I had just been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. My back was in such an angry state of pain that the mere thought of lying on a hard roller was literally unbearable. I could see before I bought it that this roller was kind of “squishy”.

I reasoned that it would be less uncomfortable than a completely rigid roller, such as SPRI or Prosource make. Boy, was I wrong! This “roller”, simply stated, does not roll! It squishes flat underneath my torso and only grudgingly rolls at all with exertion of the greatest possible effort.

If I use it on a hard surface, like the laminate floors in my home, it simply skids across the floor. If I use it on a resilient surface, such as a carpet or exercise mat, it grips the ground enough to roll just a bit when I push as hard as I can with my legs.

Admittedly, I’m not a small man. I stand 6′-6″ tall and weigh about 250#. I suppose that one could argue that I simply squish the poor thing flat and leave it at that. However, I have used those other manufacturers’ foam rollers–like Champion, Voit, SPRI and Prosource–and they don’t squish flat.

They roll effortlessly across the floor. This includes the ones with little spiky things protruding from their surfaces, like massage fingers or ridges. Those ones accomplish the “comfort from resilience” that I was trying to derive from this one’s initial squishiness–without sacrificing their ease and efficacy of use.

The Gaiam Restore roller is amazing at getting out all the knots and sore spots after a good workout. Even before a good workout, its great for streching and warming up. I am definitely glad I invested in getting a new roller, especially one as versatile as this one.

The one shown on the website says dual-core and shows a dual core in the picture. The one at the store is a soft foam roller wiith no dual core and does not hold up at all even with low body weight and only using for about 5 mins a day.

Store was very good and refunded me my money even though it was after the return time period as should not have caved in the middle like an hour glass. The one shown on website even has a different STA number (style number) than the one in the store.

I was told if you order the one online you will receive the one in the store. The store did the right thing though and deemed it defective and returned my money so I am happy. If they had a sturdier one I would have definitely bought it from Dicks.

I bought this from a friend and has changed my life. Before, I was on medication for bursitis in my hips and lower back and had to stop the medication since it was beginning to affect my kidneys. However, I use this roll every morning before I get out of bed and in bed before I go to sleep.

It give me a stretch and pressure that I cannot feel doing any other exercises. I am 73 and of course the roller is only good if you use it. Thanks for creating.

I bought this foam roller after I began physical therapy where they taught me a few ways to use it for stretching and strengthening my core muscles, and referred me to the Dick’s Sporting Goods in northeast Columbia, where they had purchased one.

This location had a large variety to select from. I chose the one that was most similar to the one I had used with the therapist, although there were more advanced options that would probably be more effective for relieving muscle tension.

What made the purchase even better was that I had a $10. 00 coupon, to use on any purchase, from the store’s free rewards program. Since I had spent $300. 00 or more in the past, I was able to get this foam roller at almost no cost, which also gave me more incentive to purchase some resistance bands that I conveniently found right next to the foam rollers.

These items have been very helpful for learning new ways to strengthen and stabilize.

I bought both the extra long regular and the short extra firm rollers. I use them daily for soft tissue foam rolling. I used to scoff at physical therapists, kinesiologists, and massage therapists when they told me how indispensable foam rolling was.

Then I discovered it for myself when I did the Thomas test and failed it on both sides. Despite lots of yoga and stretching, my psoas, hip flexors, and anterior leg muscles were still not mobile enough for me to progress in my squats.

And I’m pretty flexible and mobile in general! After a week of sessions using both of my RumbleRollers, I have more mobility than months of stretching gave me, and my squat is unstuck and finally progressing at a good rate.

The other body parts that I regularly foam roll are the thoracic spine and shoulder capsule/rotator cuff muscles. These are very important for progressing in presses and squats, as well. These RumbleRollers ended up turning out to be the best investments in my home gym.

This is the only foam roller I will even bother rolling on. This design and durability is nothing short of perfection. I have 2, one for home and one for travel. I’ve had the same one for 6 years and it has zero signs of wear anywhere after 6 years daily use.

I can’t recommend the rumble roller highly enough!.

The nodules are rather firm on this. They are designed to mimic the effect of deep tissue massage on tightly knotted muscles. It’s a balancing act to position yourself correctly and roll your body across the roller.

If you are not used to doing that or have week arms and wrist strength, go for a roller that is smooth or does not have spikey nodules because they will push into the area you are rolling with the force of your body weight.

If you can’t hold yourself up easily, that’s more weight on the roller. It does do the job though, if you take the time to do it and to stretch as well. I use it for my hamstrings and glutes primarily.

I find it too cumbersome to try to use it on my neck or shoulders/back. I think the full size roller would be better for that. I do have to do one leg at a time because this is compact but it’s nice if I want to take it with me, I don’t mind that.

I think I would like to get another roller that is smooth and use this primarily for troublesome spots where the muscle is very tight and not wanting to budge. It is uncomfortable of course when you land right on a knot.

I also may have allowed too much pressure (body weight) to press into the roller because I had some bruises afterwards. But mind you, my legs are not super lithe. I have a lot of cellulite (TIM? sorry).

As far as it’s performance and holding up, its pretty sturdy but I’ve only used it 3 to 4 times. I think if I were heavier, and if I were using this every day, it would be showing noticeable signs of wear and tear.

Hope that helps.

Hello, I’ve owned this EXACT roller for about 3 – 4 years now and I got it at TJ MAXX, haha, no kidding. It was being sold there for like $12 so please don’t feel like you gotta buy it here at this highly marked up price.

Is it a great roller? Yes, absolutely. Does that mean you have to pay $37 for it? Nope! Now whether or not your local TJ Maxx, Marshalls, or Ross has one of these in stock is up to you to investigate.

Like I said, this was a few years ago; but I encourage you to check them out before purchasing it here. Normally I wouldn’t “out” a company because it’d be rude to potentially take a sale away from them but right now times are tough and everything is so expensive, it’d be morally wrong for me to stay silent.

God bless!.

I was honestly severly disappointed with this product and cant help to think that the positive reviews are by people who dont workout or are paid to leave a positive review. After researching and watching all youtube videos i couldnt find a single review that told the truth about this product.

Here is my unbiased review. First off, this thing is too soft. At 5’0 125lbs, i couldnt get any pressure from this at the highest vibration without putting excessive force onto the roller. I couldnt feel anything remotely close to deep tissue penetration.

that is a serious problem. Therabody dropped the ball on the firmness of this device. the purpse of foam rolling is to get deep into the tissue and this doesnt do that AT ALL. Secondly, the vibrations are too shallow.

At the highest setting it is still very weak which makes all the other setting below it completely useless. If you train hard, get tight muscles and are looking for a firm roller to get deep into the tissue, this is not the device for you.

Theragun needs to go back to the drawing board for this one and increase the firmness and vibration for it to even stand a chance of sucess for seasoned athletes. Lastly, I tried the hyperice vyper 2.

0 and to be honest in comparison to this, it is firmer, and has a stronger vibration even at only 3 speeds. I was shocked as i have all therabody products and did not expect the hyperice to even compare but it blew this wave roller out of the water IMO.

If you are torn between the two, need deep stimulation and a super strong vibration, go with the vyper.

For the rolling obsessed – this thing packs a punch. Incredible for targeting specific areas such as calves, thighs, glutes. 5 intensity settings and boy does #5 hit you good and proper – firm but soft due to the PU foam.

A magnificent piece of equipment for someone who needs that additional warm up and cool down of the muscles. It also connects to your phone which is very fancy and makes it a breeze to adjust whilst you work on that all important muscle recovery.

My husband will continue to see me rollin’. around the living room whilst I try to get my back, knee and anything else nibble and ready to exercise. Continued use will improve my precious flexibility and easing my tight muscles which i’m very much here for.

When I saw this on offer at JL I so wanted it to work the way I wanted. Unfortunately for me it’s not the case. The device is well constructed and has a diameter similar to a regular foam roller. There’s a panel on one side to turn it on and adjust the level of vibration.

The surface of the roller is textured and firm and doesn’t have much give in it. The material used is a type of plastic/foam and has no grip whatsoever. It you are using this on carpet or a laminate floor then it just slips out of position during use.

I am baffled why the manufacturers decided to use this type of foam because it greatly reduces it’s effectiveness. Of course you may make use of a yoga mat as another reviewer mentioned but it still doesn’t work the way it should.

You can download the Therabody app to your phone, which requires you to create an account, and run presets via Bluetooth to the roller. Comes complete with a UK plug in charger and a carry bag which has a pocket at the front for the charger.

To make charging easier a charge disc is available for wireless charging. Despite these shortcomings I decided to keep it as it’s ok providing you are static whilst using it.

IšverstiShow in original languageI have never used a roller to compare it to and found it very helpful. I have got it for the stiff hip flexors that were caused by piriformis syndrome. It is really painful and causes sciatica as well.

These rollers didn’t help with the exact piriformis pain but I have found a way for it to help and it did. First roll hip flexors, then the side hip muscles and thigh muscles. It immediately gives some relief with the tightness (it was always very very tight before I started rolling).

I will then do the strengthening exercises to activate my glute muscles. Overtime my piriformis muscle pain reduced that was going on for 4 months. I just have an injection today as well because the pain isn’t going away and I still have mobility issues but this sure did help calming those tight muscles.

IšverstiShow in original languageStop reading and buy this! If you’re reading this you’re might be wondering if foam rolling is right for you- YES- yes it is! I had back problems for years- desk job, working out here and there.

This year I had my shoulder blade push a rib out of place (or some weird back thing that made it feel like Satan himself was residing in my core)- went to chiropractor who told me I had to come back 8 times.

Meanwhile, around the same time I had been amping up my workouts and felt so defeated that I had to stop. I figured foam rolling couldn’t hurt. It seriously has changed my life- not just saying that.

I had tried so many things and nothing helped the back pain. I roll my back once in the morning and once before bed- it cracks my back and rolls my sore muscles. I can’t recommend this enough! My quality of life has definitely improved!.

IšverstiShow in original languageAt my gym, we use foam rollers after workouts to massage and stretch the muscles. I wanted one for home since it’s also great for self massaging your back, legs, arms, etc, wherever you can reach with the roller on the floor! My gym uses these pro source ones so i bought the same thing.

They are stiff enough that they don’t lose shape and they don’t dent from your body weight. The styrofoam also doesn’t flake and peel so thats great. At my gym we wipe these down with the antibac wipes and those are still fine after being used and wiped multiple times a day.

At home I don’t really wipe it down. It doesn’t smell, and has a slightly shiny smooth surface. Good size and it rolls easily. Satisfied with my purchase!.

This Rumble Roller is truly amazing! My first day with it used it up against the wall so it wouldnt hurt so much as everyone said and imedietly my back cracked in a good healthy way and I felt such relief! Then I used it on my bed laying onto it and yeah it hurt a little laying down on it but when you suffer chronic back pain from a buldging disc or sciatica or severe spinal stenosis like my Husband then a little pain feels good when it leads to pressure relief from trigger points.

It worked the same for my Husband we both Love it and will use it everyday, its our best friend. Especially when you get up from a session with it you feel incredible! Its like a sigh of relief and having a new body in better alignment after having the massage of the rumbles on the roller.

Oh my is it ever worth the price! My Phsyical Therapist is all about it for us because he knows it works! Get one! A little pain is worth the amazing relief and invigoration you feel and Im sure we will adjust to this just fine! So if your considering, dont be afraid its truly a great massage roller.

You can always wrap a towel around it if you think it will be to much to start with. wishing you the best Rumble Roller Experience Ever~*****:).

I bought this (blue) roller as I had been using it a lot at my gym. It may look oversized, however that is one of the things that makes this roller so good – it allows a lot of movement to ensure you can get good muscle coverage without running out of roller.

It also enables double leg rolling, which is good for saving time, but also spreading pressure in instances where you don’t need such intense massage. It’s really long-lasting without any deterioration of the foam.

The blue is perfect for me – still lots of rigidity to hit deep tissue. Would recommend for those who regularly use foam rollers, and who want a medium-firm pressure without causing intense pain!.

Foam rollers are amazing. I suffered from several running injuries (achilies tendonitis and chronic shin splints) and off and on tight calves. This roller really helps keep injuries at bay when I am tight.

It is super easy to use and feels painfully good. The massage really hurts when your muscles are tight, but feels so good at the same time. It is relatively inexpensive, given the price of a personal massage or physical therapy.

It works great for legs and I would assume it would work great for any body part (back, etc. ) that was in pain and needed to be stretched out. Over time the roller does wear out though and you eventually have to replace it, but I only use mine occasionally and think it will last for some time (hopefully).

This is truly a must have for runners, swimmers, triathletes, and anyone who likes a good stretch. It may sound ludacris to spend so much for a piece of foam, but you will be glad you did.

This aeromat foam roller is really great for working through muscle tension and stretch. It’s easiest to use if you’re lying on the floor and have lots of room to spread out and move around. You position the foam roller at a point where your muscles feel tense.

The pressure from the foam causes the muscles to relax without you having to do much of anything. This is such a good way to stretch without risk of strain or injury from stretching your muscles past a comfortable range of motion.

It definitely takes a bit of getting used to before you are really comfortable with it. I have seen other products on the market for self stretching but the foam roll is definitely the best and easiest to use.

I would definitely recommend this item for folks wanting to start a running routine or any activity that puts a lot of strain on your muscles. Also good for those of us who spend a lot of time sitting at work.

As an avid runner, I always live in fear of the dreaded injury! I’ve been luckily through my short running career that I have never suffered a major injury but did recently have about of IT band pain that almost sidelined me.

After going to a physical therapist to determine it was actually a IT band issue, I was recommend to start foam rolling following each and every work out. I will warn you: at first, if you’re doing it correctly.

foam rolling is going to be painful. You’re essentially massaging out your muscles by yourself. so you’re in control, but it does hurt. My advice to you is to tough it out and keep going. because if you do, it will start feeling better and you’ll instantly notice the difference.

After each run I “roll out” and hardly ever have the same pain and soreness I used to get on a daily basis. There are many different ways to use the foam roller. I suggest searching You Tube for various exercises to get you started.

I just tried this foam roller and it was a great experience! It’s more firm than other rollers I tested and it gives a deeper rub into your muscles. I will add rolling into my routine from now on. Thank you so much for this!.

My roller came in time, perfectly packaged. It’s attractive as well as functional. I’ve added it to my foam roller collection because it’s a stronger, deeper massage. Happy with it, using it regularly.

The dual massage zones are good for my knotted-up muscles, the smoother part is perfect for stretching out my spine. You can feel the peaks across your back. It was a pleasant surprise so I now use both textures every day.

My motto has always been “exercise is bad for your health!” Why, because so many times you start out gung hoo and end up injuring yourself. Well, about a year ago I stumbled across P. volve. I gave it a try and liked it but that was where it ended.

Then, sometime in the fall P. volve came up on my feed and reminded me that “hey, I liked it when I tried it”. I visited the site loaded my cart, closed the site, reopened, loaded my cart and closed the window again.

This happened countless times. I couldn’t rationalize spending the monies to never use it. Flash forward, I decided to make the commitment to try after the orthopedist couldn’t find and definite reason for my lower back pain.

It’s now well over a month that I have religiously been keeping up with the summit workout combined with stretches on days off and guess what. my pain has gotten so much better! I’m truly loving this program.

Hard to believe it but this is from a non athletic, 59 year old wife, mother of 3 kids and full time job. I actually look forward to my 30 minute max workout/stretch each day, even on the weekends. Saving up for the slant board and then I’ll have the full range of equipment.

Thank you P. volve for finding your way into my non exercise life!.

I already had a foam roller, I used it when a foam roller was required in streaming and virtual studio classes, so I thought I didn’t need a new one. Then P. volve had a sale and I was ordering other items and I thought I’d get this too.

So glad I did. It’s got more weight than other foam rollers, so when you use it in upper body strengthening and stretching moves it activates muscles more. Plus it has an uneven surface so it’s great for really getting into the muscles as you use it.

I just finished the foam roller series in streaming which is excellent. Zach will make you sweat while using the foam roller as a weighted tool, and then Alexia will stretch and lengthen you in ways you didn’t know were possible.

Buy this roller, then go do the series!.

I wasn’t convinced that I needed a new foam roller but I purchased this to use as a component of the Pvolve Transformation 30-Day Series. The foam roller size and weight (2 lbs I think?) are perfect for stretching and strengthening arms during standing series.

It’s surprisingly firm and has helped roll out some of the crunchies from my upper back. Highly recommend – if you’re on the fence take the plunge!.

Its very helpful to apply pressure to exact points in the back, deep muscles. I don’t use it as much as i thought i needed, because it works well when coupled with a couple of yoga stretches. I can use it, stretch, “Lift” and not care or worry about muscle issues.

The only thing is, some of these rollers are rubber, but this one is foam. The foam is lighter to maneuver when suffering with flexibility issues, but might also crack, break apart and jab a sharp edge into a rib or vertebrae.

If it does crush will it squash or crack. Some one should test this. I think the max weight is 300lbs. I still use it but i think about it. I guess that’s a muscle issues to still care about. Get the rubber one, i will next time.

I guess the rubber is great, but the foam is for when it’s hard to maneuver.

Ideal to incorporate with stretching pre and post, started boxing and weightlifting again this has really helped alleviate soreness that usually comes in training. Increases blood circulation, has helped with my agility and endurance noticably in the legs.

Improved spinal positioning and overall posture.

Arrived on time. Exactly what was needed and expected. If someone is looking for equipment for pilates thats the right product!

I was looking online for a good starter foam roller as this would be my first time using one. I can confidently say I would not look elsewhere for a foam roller. It has loosened up my muscles after tough workouts and left them feeling great.

The size of this roller is perfect, not too short not too long. I would totally recommend this flawless product to anyone who is after a foam roller. Myprotein has got no complaints again.

This is my first time buying a foam roller. I wasn’t sure what kind to buy but I find this one great for the entire body. It has helped me a lot with muscle soreness from strength training but also from marathon training.

Size is perfect to use for legs and large enough for the back. I bought it for myself and my husband may be using it even more than me, he says it helps him a lot with his sciatica. Can’t recommend it enough.

If you work hard in the gym (or outside of it running, biking etc) a foam roller is a must. It really does cut down recovery time, relaxes your muscles and gets the blood flowing. I use my myprotein roller after every session as part of my cool down and it was worked wonders over the last year or so.

Of course, your muscles might still ache and you might still get DOMS (depending on how hard you’ve worked) but the foam roller has made a huge difference and has allowed me to train hard, more often.

The myprotein one is particular good for it’s quality, hardness, length and price. Get one you won’t regret it.