21 Foam Rollers to Buy Now & Get Your Recovery Back on Track
Foam rollers, for the most part, are either adored or ignored. Although, after a year of everyone being forced to pivot to home workouts, there is a little more time for recovery and mobility. And, surprise, surprise, a foam roller is an easy and affordable way to reap the benefits.
If you’re on the fence – perhaps you've tried a foam roller for a few minutes before – then read on. From the best foam rollers on the market to everything you need to know about the recovery tool and its benefits, it can all be found right here, right now.
What is a foam roller?
Put simply, a foam roller is a cylinder typically made of compressed foam. In recent years, the recovery method has gone from a habit reserved for athletes to common practice amongst regular runners and workout fiends. Some foam rollers are smooth and some are textured – different designs offer varying levels of muscle massage.
Studies have found that foam rolling can do everything from increasing flexibility to reducing muscle soreness and eliminating muscle knots.
As Founder of The Workshop Gymnasium and PT Lee Mullins puts it, 'this simple tube can also improve mobility, prevent injuries and decrease fascia adhesions', further adding that foam rolling regularly is 'as close as you can get to daily physio or massage appointments'. (The second closest thing? A massage gun. Get around WH's 10 top picks.)
What are the benefits of foam rolling?
Releases muscle and fascial tissue
Budget-friendly
Quicker recovery between workouts
Increased range of motion
Improved flexibility
Relaxation
What type of foam roller is best?
Foam rollers are an affordable and accessible way to gift yourself some pre-workout mobility and flexibility or post-workout myofascial release, increase blood flow to repair muscles and reduce soreness.
While there are varying sizes, shapes and areas to roll, one thing's for sure – anything that can mimic a deep-tissue massage, promote better recovery from workouts and can be bought at a number of price points is a winner.
The best type for you will depend on what you're looking for, so think about what you need.
Smooth foam rollers are best for beginners, textured (with knobs or ridges) are best if you want to get deeper into the muscle.
The length of your foam roller is largely personal preference, although shorter ones can be easier to transport.
Keep scrolling for answers to your foam rolling FAQs: from how long to do it, to where (and how) you should use it, foam roller exercises and whether it's best to do it before or after your workout.
21 best foam rollers to buy now
These foam rollers are ordered by price and are still in stock. What with the big home gym equipment shortage (cheers, coronavirus), we'd suggest snapping these up while they're still in stock.
1. HCFGS Foam Rollers, Trigger Point Fitness Foam Roller
2. ResultSport Foam Roller for Muscle Massage with Exercise Book and A3 Poster
3. FX FFEXS Foam Roller for Deep Tissue Muscle Massage
4. Core Balance foam roller
5. Maximo Fitness Foam Roller
6. Yoga-Mad 6 foam roller
7. FIT NATION foam roller
8. REEHUT 2 in 1 Foam Roller
9. IUGA Foam Roller and Massage Stick 2 in 1 Set
10. Fitness-Mad Foam Roller with Tread Pattern
11. The Foam Roller - Best Firm High Density Eco-Friendly EVA Foam Rollers
12. Fitbeast 2 in 1 Foam Rollers 4 Piece Set for Deep Tissue Muscle Massage
13. BLACKROLL Standard Foam Roller. 30 cm
14. ELVIRE Foam Roller Massage Set
15. Gaiam Muscle Therapy Foam Roller, Green
16. Yoga-Mad foam roller
17. Lululemon double foam roller mini
18. TriggerPoint Grid Roller, Massage Roller
19. Blackroll Unisex Adult Foam Roller Set
20. TriggerPoint GRID2.0 Foam Roller with Free Online Instructional Videos
21. Therabody Wave Roller™ Smart Foam Roller™
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