Top 10 Foam Rollers

Do you ever experience soreness after working out? Does it leave you feeling moody and in pain? Foam rollers are the perfect solution for such a problem.

They give you relief from that horrible soreness and cramps that you feel after exercising. Whether you have back pain, muscle pain or just want to improve your flexibility and range of motion; foam rollers are the answer.

There are a number of different types available in different sizes and spikes and grooves to suit your need accordingly. They have gained a lot of popularity over the last few years and are used by beginners as well as by athletes.

Top 10 Foam Rollers in India

Product (Best Brands)Average User RatingPrice RangeBest Price
Great For Relieving Pain
4.4/5
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Our Pick
4.5/5
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Our Pick
4.4/5
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Great Pain Reliever
4.2/5
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Treat Soreness
3.7/5
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Great Quality
4.1/5
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Helps To Feel Relaxed
3.6/5
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Great Self Messager
3.8/5
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Free From Chemicals
3/5
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Ease Pain
3.8/5
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How Do Foam Rollers Work?

There is one question you might want to ask yourself, ‘’How do foam rollers work? How do I even use them?’’ There are different ways in which you can make use of foam rollers and the best foam roller exercises, and below are some listed;

Self-massage:

Do you want to give yourself a deep muscle massage? Then using a foam roller is the way to go. You can always massage yourself by rolling over various parts of your body.

This helps breakage adhesions and scar tissue and, hence, speed up healing and recovery after exercising. The foam roller can be used to loosen common areas of tightness, such as the outer thighs, quads, or upper back.

How: Place yourself on the roller, then make use of your body weight to roll back and forth over the foam roller slowly. Make sure you are not supporting your body with your hand; instead, ensure that your body is relaxed on the roller.

Self-acupressure: 

Your body also responds naturally to foam rollers. Whenever you roll over tight spots on your body, as well as trigger points, your muscle is bound to relax.

If it’s a tight spot, applying pressure on it might be of greater good than when you roll back and forth.

How: To make use of this for your upper back, position the roller under your shoulder blades, then have your arms crossed around your chest.

Then, lift your body off the floor and apply pressure on the tight area using your body weight. Stay in that position for about 60 seconds.

To Use This for Neck: Lay on your back on the foam roller carefully placed under your neck. Make sure your head is rested on the foam roller.

Hence, there would be gentle pressure on your neck. Carefully turn your head to the side or side and down. You should hold this position for about 60 seconds.

Push up or Planks:

If you are looking to engage your core muscles more, carrying out exercises on unstable surfaces can help. With foam rollers, planks or push-ups can be more tasking.

How: Place or both hands on the foam roller when you are performing planks or push-ups. You might also decide to have the roller under your feet instead. In both cases, your body will work so hard to remain stable.

Yoga Prop: 

When carrying out the Savasana pose, there is every possibility that your lower back might bother you. However, you can get rid of this with the foam roller. Do you also need help with the extended triangle pose?

Using a short roller can help you with balance. You can always use rollers in many yoga poses and exercises. It will help more with your muscles than a yoga block will.

Strengthen Your Core:

If you are working out on your abs with the foam roller, you can take it to the next level. Using a foam roller will force your core to work harder because it is on an unstable surface.

How: Lay on the roller while your knee is bent and your feet are flat on the floor. Have your hand clasped behind your head and your elbows out.

Lift your head and shoulders off the roller and try to lift your foot off the floor slowly. Do this continuously for about ten times.

Extend Your Stretch:

The foam roller is a perfect prop if you are looking to stretch. It can also be used to increase the range of motion of your hamstring. You can also do the same with your lats.

Build Your Balance:

Just as there are the balance boards and discs, you can also use the foam roller in performing some balance exercises.

You can do activities like a rolling lunge by taking advantage of the foam roller’s cylindrical shape.

How: Have the back of your foot placed on the foam roller. Bend your front knee and have your back leg extended straight as you go into a lunge, then sliding your chin over the top of the roller.

Rise gently from the lunge, thereby pulling the roller towards yourself as you stand.

Rehab Your Feet:

After a long walk, or you had a long day at the office, especially in your heels, you need to get something done on your feet. You need to get your feet off that footwear and get on that foam roller.

How: Place the foam roller under your foot’s arch. Add continuous pressure to the foot’s arch by leaning on the foot with your body weight. You can repeat this back and forth.

Crack Your Backs Safely:

You can carry this out by simply placing the foam roller on the floor while you sit in front of it and your knees bent, feet flat on the ground.

Lay back with your hips slightly on the floor. Roll your body gently over the roll, thereby pushing your torso away from your feet. You will feel your back crack as you do this.

However, when you feel pain, you should stop.

Advantages of Using Foam Rollers

Other than the myofascial release function of foam rollers and the fact that they are not expensive, there are various health benefits, which include;

An Increase in Blood Flow

In the process of conducting myofascial releases, muscles are being loosened. In the application of force to the muscles and connective tissues, the blood is squeezed out, and there is a replacement by fresh blood.

Since blood is a carriage of vital nutrients like oxygen and glycogen, the higher the blood flow, the better a person’s health.

Enhanced Movement

When the muscle is well hydrated and loose, they tend to move past each other without much friction occurring. Hence, during workouts, it is less likely for muscles to be pulled and damaged.

Improved Motion Range

When the muscle is stretched correctly and lubricated, there is an enhancement in the range of motion. An increase in range of motion means that there can be more muscle recruitment, which makes workout routines more effective.

With an increased motion range, there is increased flexibility.

Reduction in Risk of Injury

It has been established that effective self-massage increases circulation through the body. The flexibility and improved movement that results from foam rolling help reduce the risk of injury.

This is because there is increased coordination of the body. Hence, there is a lesser risk of improper movement that can lead to injury. Also, in the advent of an injury, effective self-massage can help reduce recovery time.

Faster Results

The rolling foam exercise is known to reduce recovery time and lower the chances of an individual being exposed to injury. In this case, if the athletes stay longer being healthy, they would achieve more results in activities.

Foam rolling is an essential exercise in these situations.

Types of Foam Rollers

There are different types of foam rollers based on length and density. Listed are the various types of foam rollers.

Low-Density Foam Roller

They are the lightest form of foam rollers there are, and they are also the softest. These foam rollers are best when you are using them in an exercise class or if earlier in the week you have had a more intense workout.

It is not impossible that one feels pain when using foam rollers, as they have been designed to work out knots in the muscles. These knots are also referred to as the trigger points.

Foam rolling can also be as intense as a deep massage. If there is much pain, it would be best to make use of the low-density foam roller.

Firm Foam Rollers

The firm foam rollers are the densest foam, and when you use them, they are the hardest. These foams are used on occasions where there is a need for a much more intense, deeper, and concentrated myofascial release.

This foam is best for athletes who want to recover as fast as possible to train harder. You should know that the foam roller’s firmness is directly proportional to the intensity of the rolling session.

This roller is for those that know what they are getting into by using it and want it.

Short Foam Rollers

These foam rollers can either be firm and soft in density. However, they are about half the size of the normal foam roller. These foam rollers are mainly used when there is a need to focus on a particular body part. 

These short foam rollers are straightforward to manoeuvre and store, unlike the longer ones.

Bumpy Foam Roller

These are foam rollers that have a form of texture, which could be bumpy knobs or wave-like ridges that are embedded in the foam. This texture is included to dig deeper into the knots and release them as quickly as possible.

Medium Density Foam Rollers

This is the best foam roller for persons who are unsure of what type is right for them. They are multi-purpose in function, which could either be when you are performing specific exercises, or you are doing stretches.

Buying Guide for Foam Rollers

When you are out to choose the perfect foam roller for you, these are some few factors you should consider:

Frequency

The frequency with which you would use the foam roller will determine how dense the foam roller should be.

If you are using the foam roller at a very high frequency, you should get a denser one. This would make them last longer.

However, if you are not going to be making use of them frequently, it is better to choose a less dense one.

Right Size

You have to know the right size for you or any other user. The size you would get depends on what you need the foam for and on the roller’s fact or question being taken on journeys or frequently moved around.

Intended Use

What you need the roller for would determine the type you would go to.

If you are an athlete and need to get relieved as fast as possible, the harder ones would be best.

If you are a newbie and you don’t really know, it might be best to go for a soft one or one in between.

Durability

How durable the product is should also be considered. You don’t want to get a product that will get spoilt after a few months of usage. Go for the best product, even if it is costly.

Ease of Use

When you find one that suits your needs, how easy would it be to use? Would you be able to handle and manoeuvre it as swiftly as possible? Is it anti-slip? Does it stay when left alone?  Consider these and other questions of easy use that comes to mind.

Texture

Different texture achieves different results, so it is advisable to know the result you want and have a pre-information on what texture of roller would satisfy your needs.

You can test the various rollers on your body if you don’t know which would suit you best before buying.

Intensity

As a beginner, it would be best to start with a softer foam roller, then move to the more aggressive ones later.

This would be easier as you get used to the rolling over time. How firm and how rough a roller is will determine how aggressive the massage will be.

Features

The different brands of foam roller makers have their benefits. However, you should consider getting a compact foam roller if you would be travelling to and from the gym.

You should pick a longer roller if it is going to be left where it is being used. Different lengths of the rollers are customized for various movements.

Budget

You should know that you will get what you pay for, and what you buy will be dependent on how much you want to spend on the foam roller. So, quality is directly proportional to the price. Keep that in mind.

10 Best Foam Rollers

1. Deeplex Muscle Roller Massage Stick 

Deeplex Muscle Roller Massage Stick
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If you are an athlete, this is just the best massager for you. This foam roller helps you with soreness, cramping pain and helps in total relief of cramps.

It helps your leg and back recover as best as possible, and one cool thing is that you can always travel with this.

This foam roller is all you need for your complete muscle stress relieve. With this Deeplex roller, knots tied around your shoulders can be relieved as fast as possible. This would improve your performance, hence, productivity.

Main Features
  • It has an ergonomic design as per its handle
  • It has a rough texture for great functions
PROS (What we liked)
  • It is perfect for you as an athlete
  • It is bound to last longer than other common ones
  • It is very efficient with muscle pain and aches
CONS (What we didn’t like)
  • No negative points mentioned about the roller
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2. Dr. Trust Long Acupressure Foam Roller 

The Dr. Trust long acupressure foam roller is a classic product for deep tissue muscle massage and pain relief. The 3D massage zones will mimic the finger, thumb, and palm of a therapist’s hands, thus saving your money.

The finger zone is designed for tissue flushing, and the palm zone, which is the lightest and offers the gentlest massage out of the three zones.

This durable foam roller does not lose shape even after rigorous and repeated use and is ergonomically designed to roll away body pains and aches. This roller is very effective on back, knee, calf and shoulder pain, running injuries, and muscle tightness.

This low-density muscle roller is convenient and effective for stretching strained muscles and penetrating the soft tissue layer of tired muscles.

The roller offers numerous benefits like joint mobility, flexibility, and range of motion. It also reduces muscle pain, relaxes, and restores fascia. It also helps in de-stressing and relaxing pre and post-workout.

Main Features
  • It weighs only 950 gm making it lightweight, and has a carry bag hence making it travel-friendly
  • The roller penetrates deep into muscle tissue for maximum benefit
  • It has dimensions of 14 x 14 x 33 cm
  • The product has a special multi-density exterior and a strong and rigid hollow core
  • The roller can be used anywhere on the body
PROS (What we liked)
  • Acupressure points of the roller are very effective to the body
  • The roller does not slip while rolling, and it won’t poke or hurt your skin
  • Strong build and excellent foam quality
  • The roller is very effective on sore back and calves
CONS (What we didn’t like)
  • No such cons found

3. Strauss Yoga Foam Roller

Strauss Yoga Foam Roller
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Here is a best seller product, and it is a holistic approach towards a healthy, balanced mind and body. With this fitness roller, you can roll out any point of your back, and you can always apply pressure on your whole body.

You can also ease the pain from plantar fasciitis by simply stretching. This product is made with quality materials, which will never lose their shape, and last long. Even when used constantly and heavily, it will remain in the best of form.

This roller is built to last, and it is made from top-grade materials. It is a very light roller, which can be transported very easily. This is the best equipment to reduce discomfort by simply rolling, and it can also get rid of inflammation.

It also has a compact size which makes it possible to target specific parts of the body, including joints.

With this roller, improving blood circulation becomes a piece of cake; hence, the blood’s max flow to the muscles and soft tissues. It is the best foam roller for beginners and athletes.

Main Features
  • It is made of EVA foam
  • It is very lightweight and soft to touch
  • It is waterproof, anti-slip and non-toxic
PROS (What we liked)
  • It is just perfect, neither too hard nor too soft
  • It is very sturdy
  • It gets the job done for beginners as well as professionals
  • It is suitable for use before or after gym sessions
  • It is very effective in releasing muscle tension
CONS (What we didn’t like)
  • It might not be suitable for persons with extra weight
  • It does not come with a carry bag
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4. Auxter Fitness Massage Foam Roller 

Auxter Fitness Massage Foam Roller
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This foam roller has bumps that make it function like the thumbs of a massage therapist. This allows it to deliver intense muscle penetration. This is the best foam roller for back pain.

It is designed to be of small size, with bumps that knead deep into the body’s contours, gently stretching soft tissue in multiple directions to erode the trigger points.

This would help it restore flexibility to the muscles as well as relief of pain.

With this roller, your muscles are well cared for, and you can enjoy a seamless flow of blood in the body, to the various muscles.

This foam roller is a tube foam roller, and with ease, it can handle weight up to about 130kg. If you are new to the foam rolling game, you need one that wouldn’t cause you much pain in working your muscles. This is the right one.

Main Features
  • It is a tube foam roller
  • It is made of bumped texture
  • It has a compact size
PROS (What we liked)
  • You can control the amount of pressure applied per roll
  • It restores flexibility a great deal
  • It is a perfect product for the price
CONS (What we didn’t like)
  • It is suitable only for beginners
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5. House Of Quirk Foam Roller 

House Of Quirk Foam Roller
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This roller helps you treat yourself to an intense and effective massage that rids you of soreness and a deep stretch that actually eases tension.

It affords a deep roll that promotes a better flow of blood. This roller is actually designed for results, and it is just simple and plain.

This roller is firm; hence, it is more beneficial. It can help you with soreness after your gym session; it would also work your cores.

Your tight back would be stretched, and it helps with physical therapy. This is just the best foam roller you can get at its price range

Main Features
  • It comes in multiple sizes
  • It is designed to be sturdy and not lose shape
  • It is made from premium materials
  • It was made using extra firm polypropylene
PROS (What we liked)
  • It is very effective in easing pain
  • It is straightforward to use
  • It is very firm
CONS (What we didn’t like)
  • It could be more durable
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6. Fitsy Health & Fitness Massage Foam Roller 

Fitsy Health & Fitness Massage Foam Roller
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The Fitsy health and fitness massage foam roller is ideal for self-massage and every form of balance training. This foam roller is made of very good quality material which is resistant to wear and tear and can be easily cleaned.

This foam roller is very lightweight and durable. This product is made from quality EVA foam and has a textured dotted surface.

This foam roller is just great for working on the lower part of the body, as it helps in the alleviation of soft tissue tightness at the leg, lower back, glutes, and hamstrings. 

The foam roller also provides excellent stretching of the muscles and provides relief in the tendon. This pilates foam roller leads to an increase in the circulation of blood in the body. The custom design raised grid pattern bumps are firm but flexible.

With this product, you enjoy decreased muscle pain and relaxation and restoration of a fascia, better flexibility, joint mobility, and range of motion. 

It is great to use this equipment before you start or when you are done with your workout.

With this, you can prevent muscle pain, as well as a reduction in your risk of being injured. Even if you need to relax, this foam roller is your best shot at it.

It is one of the best fitness tools that help your body witness quick recovery.

Main Features
  • It has a rough texture for a more efficient muscle workout
  • It is made of quality EVA foam
  • The EVA foam is of a high density
PROS (What we liked)
  • It is perfect for leg massage
  • It is very easy to use
  • It is very durable
CONS (What we didn’t like)
  • It can be hard for beginners
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7. Klapp High Density Foam Roller

Klapp High Density Foam Roller
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This is just the equipment you need after a great deal of regular exercise, and you need relief from the pain. This is a great alternative to other forms of pain relief; with this roller, you will be free and have a seamless blood flow.

It also brings about increased flexibility and joint pain relief. All you need to do with the foam roller is a deep roll out, which would relieve and help you relax your sore muscles.

This foam roller will help you apply just the right amount of pressure and intensity to the stressed muscles. Foam rollers are the best when you spend more time sitting, workout and sports, leading to pain and inflexibility.

These rollers can be used at home or the gym, and you don’t need to think much of what foam roller you should get. The Klapp roller is the best foam roller to use before or after exercising, as it makes you feel relaxed and makes your body flexible.

It is the best foam roller for athletes. With your own body weight, you can improve your blood circulation to the body’s various tissues.

Main Features
  • It is made to be portable and is a travel foam roller 
  • It is made of non-toxic foam and a solid design
  • It is designed uniquely with bumps
PROS (What we liked)
  • It is very suitable for core stability
  • It is great equipment for muscle flexibility
  • It is ideal for self-massage
CONS (What we didn’t like)
  • It is not a very hard foam roller
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8. The Sweatshop Foam Roller 

The Sweatshop Foam Roller
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Using a foam roller regularly is known to provide benefits ranging from injury recovery, decreased muscle and joint pain.

There is also increased circulation of blood, which this roller will offer you, in ways you can’t even imagine. This physical therapy roller stick can also be used to relieve the tension in your neck. You can achieve this by having the roller under your neck.

This foam roller is designed to compress and roll across your muscles to improve flexibility and optimize your movement.

It also has an ergonomic handle, making it relatively easy to control and leverage the pressure for targeting hard to reach muscle knots.

This roller can also effectively massage your lower and upper body muscle groups, including your calf, hamstring, quads, and back. This improves your mobility in a very swift manner.

The roller is also fashioned so that you can control the pressure and reduce the soreness of your muscles.

Hence, circulation is increased, which ultimately results in a quicker recovery. One cool thing about this roller is that you can use it when standing or sitting.

Main Features
  • It has a length of 50cm
  • The handle is ergonomically designed
  • It has a characteristic streamline texture that helps it achieve more knot dissolution
PROS (What we liked)
  • It is comfortable
  • It is very easy to use
CONS (What we didn’t like)
  • It might not really be suitable for athletes
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9. Aurion Foam Roller 

Aurion Foam Roller
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This roller is one with an average hardness, and all and sundry can use it. If you are looking to perform an efficient self-myofascial release, this is the right equipment, right here.

The roller is designed with different areas raised for different massage types hitting your muscles from different angles. The roller is nature-friendly and is made using an energy-saving production process.

This foam roller is also free of propellants and chemicals. The roller is very easy to clean, it is not affected by water, and you wouldn’t be worried about any odour.

Main Features
  • It is made of quality EVA muscle massage foam rollers
  • It is designed to be mobile and light weight
PROS (What we liked)
  • It is well invested in healing your body of pains
  • It is very effective and small enough to carry around
  • It is very easy to use, and there is no need for instructions
CONS (What we didn’t like)
  • It is not long enough for some exercises.
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10. Strauss Foot/Hand Massage Roller 

Strauss Foot/Hand Massage Roller
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The Strauss foot massage roller is designed specifically to relieve foot pain caused by conditions like heel spurs and ball-of-foot pain.

You can always control the massage’s intensity by choosing the amount of pressure you want to apply on the roller. This is the ultimate pain relief for you.

Funny, but this product is too easy to use, and it would serve good in relieving you of stress. This foam roller stick is perfect for self, trigger point therapy and targeted deep tissue massage.

You can always make use of this roller before or after exercising. This is perfect for feet of all sizes. With it, you are assured of improved blood circulation as well as easing of painful trigger points.

Main Features
  • It has an ergonomic design
  • It is made of good quality material that is safe, non-toxic and smells of no chemical.
  • It is portably designed
PROS (What we liked)
  • It has a good build quality
  • It helps in improving blood circulation
  • Hand roller for muscles
CONS (What we didn’t like)
  • It might not be great for professional purpose
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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I choose a foam roller?

The three main factors  that need to be considered while choosing a foam roller are

Density- The density of a roller can be either soft or hard. A roller that is too soft might not provide effective pressure, and a roller with very hard surfaces can cause bruising or trauma.

Surface texture- Foam rollers have smooth or textured surfaces like ridges and knobs that provide accurately targeted massage.

Shape and size-  Long rollers of around 36 inches are comfortable to start with. Shorter length rollers (around 24 inches) are ideal for targeting areas like calves and arms. The shortest foam rollers of around 4-12 inches are good for use in the limited space areas.

2. Which is the best foam roller for back pain?

Auxter Fitness Massage Foam Roller is the best roller for back pain due to its portable size and bumpy surface that helps you soothe your back muscles, thus relieving pain.

3. When rolling, should I roll fast or slow?

When you are engaged with foam rolling, the best way is to roll slowly. If you roll fast, you would only be doing a superficial form of work.

When rolling, you should ensure that it is slow and firm. This will help you treat the trigger points and tight muscles. Rolling slowly is an effective means of rolling.  

4. What size of a foam roller is the best?

There are numerous types of foam rollers, and it might be difficult for you to decide which one is best for you. However, there are some questions you should ask yourself to know which is best for you, and they are;

  • What muscle groups do I want to use it for? If you will be using the roller for your legs, hip flexors, or glutes, it is best to get a larger one. For smaller muscles in the shoulders and neck region, smaller rollers are best.
  • Will I need to take it with me when I travel? If you plan to take the roller with you on a journey, then you should get a smaller one that can easily find its place in your suitcase.
  • How dense do I want the foam roller to be? You might not know how you will react to the various densities of rollers there is. Hence, you should try the multiple densities on your body at the store, before picking one.

5. Do you experience soreness after foam rolling?

Yes, you will always feel sore when you are foam rolling. It will surely feel uncomfortable if you are starting. The more you roll, the easier it gets.

It is just like getting a deep or sports massage, and it gets deep in your muscles. This can lead to soreness; sometimes, this is so that your muscles are relaxed and loosened.

6. Am I in danger when I get clicks on my back?

No. Once there is no sharp pain when you foam roll, it is normal to get clicks and faint pains in your back. In fact, experiencing this helps improve the mobility of that particular joint, and the muscles around it are more relaxed.

7. Are foam rollers mainly for the back?

No, they are not. They are not designed for a specific part, except otherwise stated by the manufacturer. Foam rollers can be used on every part of the body.

It can be used on the lower torso, and it can be used on the limbs. It can be used on the glutes, just about any part of your body where it can roll.

8. For how long should I roll?

It depends on your preference or recommendation by the therapist.

On average, it is better to roll for a range of between 5 – 10 minutes, at least 2 – 3 times a day. It should be about 1 – 2 minutes for a muscle group until you no longer feel the pain.

Conclusion

From this list, our favourite foam rollers include Deeplex Muscle Roller Massage Stick, Dr. Trust Long Acupressure Foam Roller and Strauss Yoga Foam Roller

These rollers provide relief from the soreness that you experience after working out. They can be used in several different ways and help in different aches and pains.

Any roller mentioned from our list will help increase flexibility, help in soreness and increase your motion. These are perfect for beginners as well as professional athletes and can help you relax better as well.

Megha Kothari
 

Megha leads the content strategy and oversees an amazing team of writers, editors, and designers, all having one goal in mind – to create brilliant content that helps people make the right purchase investment. When she is not working, you can find her enjoying making delicious food and planning her next travel.

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