Post: #1

I was thinking about this for a long time, about getting one but I don't really know what I am lookin for in a foam roller. Should you get one with patterns with rubber on them or should you just get a very simple one with no patterns?

Post: #2

(09-23-2015 12:06 PM)KC4 Wrote:  I was thinking about this for a long time, about getting one but I don't really know what I am lookin for in a foam roller. Should you get one with patterns with rubber on them or should you just get a very simple one with no patterns?

I got a fairly basic one made entirely of compressed foam (no hollow centre), without any real bumps/spikes. Not entirely happy with it. Think the ones made with PVC pipe and surrounded by grooved paterns designed to add to the pressure would have been better. Something like this:

Post: #3

Does patterns actually do anything?

Post: #4

Brief Intro: I ruptured my achilles a couple years ago. I never had surgery. The achilles took every bit of six months to return to to a state where I could "push off" without any pain. As I gradually became more active with cardio (running, sprints, etc.), I noticed that the injured achilles would get and stay tight... no surprise.

I used to mess with the foam rollers (sans spikes) at my gym and didn't think they were that good. After seeing something on Danger and Play about an almost-metal looking foam roller at the Gold's Gym, I went to big box hardware store and purchased a 2 (maybe 3) foot piece of thick PVC pipe. I still have it, still use it, and it's helped me tremendously (along with lacrosse ball smashing).

^ Two foot thick PVC pipe should do you just fine. "Foam" rolling with the PVC pipe can hurt, but that means it's working. It also should be way less expensive than the spiked foam rollers.

Post: #5

(09-23-2015 12:30 PM)KC4 Wrote:  Does patterns actually do anything?

I think it basically adds pressure. With the all foam ones with no spikes the pressure is a bit too evenly spread.In the case of an actual massage the masseuse uses thumbs, elbows and so on to up the pressure where needed. The spikes try to mimic this effect.

Post: #6

I'm with Baldwin.

I made my own rollers with PVC pipes and covered them with a thin layer of EVA. Looks kind of like this, but works amazingly well:



If you are making them, I suggest making two at once. If you are rolling your hip flexors, for example, having two rollers (one under the hip flexors and one close to the knee) allows you to roll smoothly and keep you muscles more relaxed, which gives better results.

Post: #7

Mikecf at danger and play wrote about foam rollers I believe.

Post: #8

I use a straight PVC pipe that was given to me from some plumbers working in my apartment building. They cut it too short, perfect for me.

Post: #9

How many dupe foam roller threads does this forum need? Use the search function.

/thread-8520.html
/thread-32463.html
/thread-24424...#pid459353