Foam Rolling, your body's key to happiness!
One of the most overlooked aspects in the fitness industry is foam rolling - referred to as Self myofascial release, which has gained popularity in recent years and for good reason. Foam rolling offers endless benefits to your body and overall health and is an important tool at your disposal for recovery, injury prevention and improved physical performance.
Foam rolling is a cost effective alternative to massage therapy that if used regularly would set you back hundreds of dollars. So investing in a $30 roller is an affordable method to be able to experience the benefits of therapeutic massage many athletes pay for, but without the associated costs.
Foam rolling is accomplished by rolling under the muscle group to locate any areas of tenderness, and then applying and maintaining pressure on these trigger points for 30-60 seconds.
The main muscle groups to focus on are
Hamstrings and glutes
IT band (iliotibial band)
Upper back
Quadriceps
Calves
Abductors
Incorporating foam rolling into your fitness regime is a super effective way to speed up muscle recovery which means more training sessions per week and therefore quicker results
Some other benefits include
Promotes muscle flexibility and range of motion
Increased muscle elasticity and reduces inflammation
breaks up scar tissue
improves circulation
Stress reduction
Regularly foam rolling your muscles pre and post workout is a must for any athlete, be it a novice or serious weightlifter to inhibit overactive muscle. If you are new to a foam rolling routine, ensure you start slowly and gradually increase over time. Try rolling before bed or during your favourite TV show and you will reap the whole body benefits that foam rolling has to offer.
