Versatile tool for working out muscle knots and pain
I do a LOT of research before buying or trying products, and it's been a while since I've had a product that made me so happy.  I think this is a great value product.<br /><br />When I first started working with a personal trainer a few years ago, one of the first things he made me buy was a foam roller.<br /><br />&#34;Why?&#34;  I asked<br />&#34;So you can work out knots in your muscles.  Trust me, you’ll want it&#34;<br /><br />So I ordered one of those giant long big blue foam rollers that they have in gyms.  It was cumbersome, but it was effective.  I didn't realize how tight my muscles were until I rolled on these rollers and let the weight of my body press against the roller.  It was so good but so painful.  And as much as I liked using it, I hated storing it.  I was living in a loft at the time and that thing was really unsightly.<br /><br />Then I saw this 3 in 1 roller and was really excited to try it.  The 3 in 1 roller has basically 3 rollers that stack neatly inside one another.  There’s the outer roller (most similar to what I had before), a gear shaped roller for more targeted pressure points, and a rolling massage stick.  It’s shorter but I’m still able to fit both legs on the roller.  It also cost the same as my giant long blue tube roller.  I like that it's compact enough to hide from sight when not in use.  I like the firmness of the large roller and small roller, and the whole kit feels very sturdy and well constructed.  The only slightly annoying thing is that the massage stick fits very snug into the gear roller so it takes a lot of effort to pull out, and I worry whether the handle might break over time.  Better that than too loose and constantly falling out, I guess.<br /><br />Foam rolling works based on the idea that pressure applied to certain body parts helps to work out knots and relieve pain.  Until I started using foam rollers I didn’t realize how many knots I had in my body.  I do stretches regularly but you still don’t get it all out.<br /><br />There are a number of great roller positions you can use.  The ones I find most effective are for my quads and hamstring.  You prop your roller onto your hamstrings (or quads) and hold a low plank with the weight centred over the roller.  Hold position for a few seconds at a time where you feel pain / discomfort and slowly roll up and down every part of your legs.  The same concept works with calves and glutes.  Just roll slowly onto the roller putting as much weight as you can on the point of contact between the roller and your body.<br /><br />My back and neck are often sore, so I’ll lie on my back with the large roller tucked under my lower back and then arch backwards.  With the gear roller, I like propping it under my neck and pushing down on the pain pressure points.  I’ve also run the massage stick up and down sore spots on my neck and along my shoulders.<br /><br />Overall there are lots of uses and plenty of exercises you can look up online.  It’s a great way to work out muscle knots and relieve soreness and tightness from exercise.  It also loosens your muscles and prevents tearing.  I received a review sample of this roller for my honest opinion, and I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase another if I were to misplace this one.
Rating: 5 stars