Have you guys tried foam rolling? This is like when you get that squishy exercise rolling pin and lay down or sit down on it? That stuff does wonders for my body, oh my goodness!
It really started to help me when I picked up combative sports, running, and got in the gym more. The number of times I’ve had to use a foam roller or something along those lines (i.e. message sticks, tennis balls, or resistance bands) is absolutely insane.
So here are some things I’ve learned about using foam rollers, and what it does for our bodies to relieve that stress and soreness every time we use them:
I found that it’s become a very common habit for helping aid with recovering muscles. People have been using it for years before engaging in high-impact sports or exercise.
The easy thing about these little tools is how inexpensive and portable they are.
You can get a foam roller for just over $10 or just under $25 on Amazon. I’m not sponsored or anything, but who doesn’t get things from amazon.
The Benefits Of Foam Rolling
An article by the NLB (National Library of Medicine) discusses the conclusion of twenty-one studies that were conducted on the benefits and effectiveness of this topic. primarily, the studies done were either for the purpose of what improvements there would be to us a roller before exercise and after. Both sets of studies found slight changes – with the two highest improvements being a decrease in muscle pain and an increase in flexibility.
Overall, though, the benefits of rolling are as follows:
- Improved flexibility: Foam rolling helps to release muscle tension, which can lead to improved flexibility and range of motion.
- Reduced muscle soreness: Foam rolling can help to reduce muscle soreness after a workout, which can lead to quicker recovery times.
- Increased circulation: Foam rolling can increase circulation to the muscles, which can help to speed up recovery times and reduce the risk of injury.
- Improved performance: Foam rolling can help to improve performance by increasing range of motion and reducing the risk of injury.
Now For The Drawbacks
And I couldn’t sell you the sunshine and rainbow benefits without also listing some of the limitations:
- There’s limited research on the effectiveness of muscle recovery and injury prevention.
- The benefits of foam rolling are typically short-term and may not lead to long-term improvements in muscle recovery or injury prevention.
- Foam rolling can be painful, especially if you have tight muscles or trigger points.
- Foam rolling is not a replacement for stretching, and it should be used in conjunction with stretching and other recovery techniques.
So now we know: Foam rolling can be incredibly useful and help you along your fitness journey. This technique might not be the most effective thing in the world, but it helps, and that’s something.
I hope that this helped you get a better grasp on the benefits of foam rolling. It helped me to research it! If you have any questions or comments, please leave them down below! Thanks for reading!