Foam rollers...any recommendations?

[priceyniki]

Hi there. I was looking into buying a foam roller to help with my calf muscle aches & pains (am just in week2 stage).Did some internet research & was bamboozled by the selection (also that they didn't look like painting rollers!). Any recommendations would be really appreciated. Thank you!

[Steve_L Graduate]

I'd hold off from buying anything yet. My legs hurt like hell in the first couple of weeks - it felt like someone had been punching my legs, and going downstairs was very painful. After about the third or fourth week, I had no more aches! I ran 5k this morning (first run after completing C25K) and my legs feel fine!

[ViaM Graduate]

I would suggest you look into calf-strengthening exercises instead

[Northernspirit Graduate]

Week 2 is early days. I would do some stretching, ice packs (frozen peas!!) and hot baths first. I bought a foam roller last week as I am on week 9 and got a calf strain, I think it helps but then so do all the other things suggested here and by others. Mine was from sweetshop and it was half price so I got it! Maybe you also need extra rest days in between, that helped me a lot too. Good luck!

[rmnsuk Graduate]

I wouldn't pay the £20+ most places insist on (at least not yet), but I bought mine from Aldi for £6. Couldn't resist. And they work. I had a couple of minor twinges and the foam rollering helped lots. It must be quite amusing watching it though - an old man in lycra thrashing around on the floor groaning in self-inflicted agony

[Irishprincess Graduate]

I swear by my foam roller and use it every day. It's like getting a deep tissue massage, just hurts like hell the first few times you use it but it definitely gets rid of tight muscles and knots.

The smooth rollers are fine to begin with but the knotty ones give a deeper massage. Maybe you should start off with the smooth one. You can get a basic one fairly cheaply on Amazon (about £8-10) or any sports shop. I got mine in TX Maxx for about £10. Check on YouTube for examples of how to use them properly and be prepared to get yourself in all kinds of odd positions!

You can also use a rolling pin instead of a foam roller or tennis balls or golf balls for those hard to get at knots on smaller muscles. But for your calves, a foam roller is better.

Make sure you stretch as well to keep those muscles supple.

[priceyniki]

Thanks everyone for the advice which is really helpful. I think I'll see how the next couple of weeks go & then decide whether or not to buy 1. I have to say a vision of thrashing around in lycra is probably on a par with my Robocop impression after running. I haven't really run for over 10 years although do a bit of cycling, so I think my calves etc are wondering what the hell is going on. Still, determined to stick with the programme so here goes!

[BrianMTR]

It's never a bad idea to have a foam roller.

It helps tremendously to start using and learning how to now than when you actually do need it (and have to learn while in pain). I do self-massager tool reviews on my site.

My favourite is the Trigger Point Performance foam roller. It's not aggressive like the Rumble Roller, and it's dense enough for pressure. I use mine every so often after my morning runs.