EFFECTIVENESS: Foam Rollers just work! They do an excellent job of relieving and preventing muscle soreness.
EASE OF USE: Expect a short learning curve for best results.
PRICE POINT: Plan on paying from $10 to $100+ depending on the style and brand name.
WHAT WE LIKE: Foam Rolling may be even better than a hands on massage. They go deep into tissue to relieve pain and trigger points.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE: Nothing other than you may think they hurt until you use them a couple of times. After a couple of uses you too will love foam rolling.
Foam Rolling Benefits
If you know the aggravation of aching muscles and sharp spots in your shoulders and back, foam rolling can be a game-changer. What you’ll need though is the Best Foam Rollers for Muscle Pain and Soreness.
If your legs are sore after a run, or playing sports, these devices will put the fun back in what you love.
Work at a computer desk all day? Kneading sore muscles with foam rolling techniques relieves the irritation and discomfort while increasing flexibility and mobility.
Runners, athletes, gym enthusiasts, walkers, and just about everybody is finding muscle pain relief with foam rollers.
If you are tired of struggling with sore muscles after a day of physical activity or at work, this could be your answer. But with so many styles and sizes to choose from, it can be difficult to make the best decision.
Thankfully, we’ve done the testing and research for you, and chosen the top 6 foam rollers to roll away those aches and pains.
Take a look at my foam roller reviews
All foam rollers are attempting to do the same thing, which is massage myofascial trigger points and increase blood circulation. Some are made to go deeper into muscle tissue than others, and some sizes seem more convenient than others. Below you will find short reviews of my 6 favorite massage rollers.
AmazonBasics Roller
In My Opinion
AmazonBasics is what the name implies, a basic roller for people who can live without a lot of bells and whistles. But this is still a great choice and an Amazon’s Choice item. A lot of people like it because it’s not pricey and fits into the most meager budgets.
Don’t let the price or the word basic fool you, though. This is a well-made foam roller made with high-density expanded polypropylene. This technology hits squarely on target when it comes to balancing firmness with softness. It’s this perfect balance that makes a good foam roller easy to use and great for working out muscle tension and knots.
The AmazonBasics makes it super easy to improve balance, strength, and flexibility while eradicating muscle pains and soreness. Chose from 4 different sizes that range from 12-36 inches long with a diameter of 6”. It is easy to clean and maintains its shape which are both real pluses.
321 STRONG Foam Roller
My Opinion
The 321 STRONG is a perfect example of a traditional and very effective foam roller. Instead of a smooth surface, the 321 has ribs and “knobs” that make it super effective for penetrating deeper into muscles to massage those hot spots. This roller is medium density foam make it extremely comfortable to use for beginners as well as the experienced user.
If you are looking for your first roller, I highly recommend the 321 Strong. The medium density foam isn’t as hard as some, making it very comfortable to use and get a solid workout that feels more like a great massage. The fibs and knobs are akin to hands and fingers, making it easy to get deep into muscle tissue to release built-up tension and massage specific trigger points that cause problems.
Choose from a wide variety of colors with the 321 Foam Roller. It’s great for runners, athletes, gym enthusiast, swimmers, physical therapy patients, along with anyone tire of dealing with chronic pain in legs. Butt, back, and shoulders. It’s 12 ¾” long 5 ¼ “ diameter. There’s an awful of people who consider this the best foam rollers for muscle pain and soreness.
My Opinion
The LuxFit Extra Firm Foam Roller is inexpensive and standard when it comes to foam rolling. In the end, this is a simple product that does the job. Some styles are harder than others, and some people prefer the denser foam that makes it a better choice for things like a yoga class or cracking your back.
But don’t get me wrong, I started out with this same model. The first time I used it, I thought about throwing it away as a hoax. But the truth is, once you learn to use it, it does the jo. And like me, you will be glad you took the time to learn how to get the best results.
Like other foam roller brands with high-density foam, it gives a deep and very effective massage. And if you are a yoga enthusiast, it is great to help you with stretching to get that flexibility and range of motion.
Another thing about this roller is that it is available in 4 different sizes. I like the longer ones for my back and shoulder massages. Actually, the long styles can be used anywhere, it’s just the shorter ones seem to pinpoint some trigger areas better. If you use an exercise room, you might think of getting several different sizes, and build your workouts around them.
TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller
My Opinion
Looking for a long-lasting, durable roller with high Amazon reviews? When it comes to the best foam rollers for muscle pain and soreness, the the TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller naturally stands out. 10 years is nothing for this device, and really no one can tell just how long it will last.
The exterior is constructed of rigid foam and has no trouble providing you with a deep tissue massage penetrating into those trigger spots. This patented roller design will not lose never lose its shape assuring you of decades of pain relief. TriggerPoint is used by physical therapists, athletes, trainers, massage therapist and more all over the world to provide muscle relaxation, pain relief, increased flexibility and range of motion.
It will be a staple of your exercise room for a very long time. If that wasn’t enough, it also comes with free instructional videos, making it good for beginners as well. It’s 13 ½ “ long with a 5 ½” diameter.
My Opinion
At first, I didn’t think I would like these but figured the name Planet Fitness Muscle Massager was worth a try. And this is quite a surprising roller. It is high quality and really gives your back a stretching. The spikes reach on in to hit those trigger spots like a champ.
With chronic back pain and trip after trip to the chiropractor, this thing is a real life (and money) saver. Another thing I really like about it is the groove for my spine. The built-in spines are right on point for hitting those tender spots on my shoulder blades and working them out.
Even though you can foam roll anywhere on your body, if you deal with chronic back and shoulder pain, the Planet Fitness Foam Roller will get into that tissue and knead the muscles.
TriggerPoint GRID Vibrating Foam Roller
I saved this vibrating Foam Roller to last, simply because of the cost. But I can assure you, this is my favorite and pick of the litter.
Here’s My Opinion
If you want the best foam rolling massage, and have the bucks to spend, the TriggerPoint Vibrating Foam Roller is the optimal experience. The Grid Vibe Plus will quickly vibrate its way into your heart. When it comes to relieving pain and releasing tight spots in muscles, you can’t beat it. Blood flow improves rapidly along with oxygen and that heals muscle tissue quickly.
It measures in at 12 x 3 1/2 inches, this petite design brings the power from a rechargeable battery unit that can go for two hours. Of course, that is going to depend on which of the 4 settings you are using. But either way, it’s easy enough to recharge the battery with the AC charger that comes with the roller.
When you combine vibration therapy with foam rolling it’s like a dream come true for relieving sore and tight muscles. Even if you have an arsenal of foam rollers, this is one to add, and probably finish your pursuit of the finest on the market. When it comes to rollers for trigger point therapy I don’t know what compares to it. The gentle vibration at the same time you are rolling sore muscles is highly effective. Triggerpoint makes high-quality rollers, so you will never have to worry about it wearing out.
Why I love Foam Rolling
You’ve been searching for anything to stop the nagging pain and muscle aches. Someone suggested a foam roller and you’re wondering if it would help? Of course, no one can guarantee results, but I can tell you they do help, and sometimes miraculously.
Here’s how I got into foam rolling. I already knew the person giving me regular deep muscle massages for pain relief was concentrating on trigger points. I can’t give you a scientific definition of myofascial trigger points, but in general, they are rather small places where muscle fibers tend to ball up and cause pain that affects a lot of the surrounding area. And they are tender to the touch if you or someone else presses a finger into one of them.
Even my chiropractor was releasing pain with trigger points.
Then I changed chiropractors, and he didn’t use the same old chiropractic spine popping routines I was used to getting. Instead, he actively sought out those same trigger points in muscles surrounding my shoulder blades, legs, and arms. The results were far better than any back and muscle ache treatment I had gotten from other chiropractors.
After that, I started noticing foam rollers of different styles and configurations, and wondered if they would reach deep into muscles like the masseuse and chiropractors? I have to admit, the first time I used one, it hurt and I didn’t know if I would try again. But I did, simply because the relief was undeniable.
The more you experience the relief, the more you foam roll.
Now I foam roll every day and sometimes twice. Those are the days I roll out the tension and stretch muscles both before and after a workout or run. The process improves my circulation and relaxes me, it’s that simple. Foam rolling substantially reduces any soreness or pain I have by massaging and kneading those trigger points and stretching the fascia. It takes the pressure off hips and knees to give me a full range of motion.
Breaking up muscle knots and releasing trigger points along with improving blood flow is the most natural and the best way I’ve found to feel good again and get back to being physically active again.
You won’t have to deal with those knots and pain long when you’re using the best foam rollers for muscle pain and soreness.