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When you train hard, you need to have a solid recovery routine in place to help your muscles maintain flexibility and heal faster. One of the most cost-effective ways to do that is with a foam roller. While we love massage guns and compression boots , they can be pricey -- and difficult to use on hard-to-reach places like your back and shoulders.
The best foam rollers are an easy way to stretch out muscles and eliminate knots before a workout, after a workout or just after a long day at the office. But between different textured surfaces, vibration tech and foam density, it can be tough to know what's what or what to look for when choosing a foam roller. So we've rounded up our favorite options below.
From a premium vibrating foam roller by Therabody to a convenient foam roller that doubles as a water bottle , here are the best foam rollers you can buy in 2024.
Powerful vibration and gently contoured foam are combined in the Therabody Wave Roller to deliver one of the most effective self-massaging tools on the market. Bluetooth-enabled, you can control the settings of this top-of-the-line foam roller from your phone just as you can with Therabody's massage guns and eye massagers . Choose from five vibration frequencies and alternate between them as needed to get a perfectly customized massage.
Designed for full-body recovery, the Therabody Wave Roller is 12 inches long and made from high density foam -- you can put your full body weight on this. Use it on your back, shoulders, hips, sides or anywhere else where you need a soothing massage or extra help stretching out tight muscles.
Top features of the Therabody Wave Roller:
If you've never used a foam roller before, the price tag on the Therabody Wave Roller might make you flinch. We think the added vibration tech and convenient in-app controls make it worth every penny, but if you're not ready to commit, we get it.
The Trigger Point Grid foam roller is our favorite low-tech design to introduce newbies to the benefits of a foam roller routine. It's made from durable, high-density EVA foam and features a rigid, hollow-core design that makes it even firmer. That means you can get great pressure for targeting tight muscles or stretching out your back.
The multi-density texture includes a mix of smooth surfaces and ridges (as well as differing foam densities) so you can alternate between applying even, gentle pressure across the whole area or targeting specific pressure points with the firmer ridges. This feature makes it even more beginner-friendly since it gives you a chance to see how different textured surfaces and foam densities affect the massage experience.
Priced at just $28 on Amazon (reduced from $37), it's an affordable option for those looking to try out foam rolling for the first time.
Top features of the Trigger Point Grid foam roller:
To melt away knots and get targeted tension relief in hard-to-reach places, it's tough to beat the RumbleRoller. With deep nodules all across the surface, this foam roller can penetrate deep into muscle tissue, similar to the way a professional masseuse would while delivering a deep tissue massage.
With that said, this spikier design makes it a more aggressive foam roller that's best reserved for targeting knots or chronic muscle tension. It's less suited for gently stretching out tight muscles, so we recommend having a smoother roller on hand as well.
Described as "foam rolling on steroids" and "wildly effective" by Amazon reviewers, the RumbleRoller can be a little uncomfortable while using --just like a professional deep tissue massage. But the tension relief and ability to reach deep tissue and tendons that get missed by gentler foam rollers is worth it.
"Using this daily paired with stretching has been my dream remedy," said one Amazon reviewer who'd been struggling with chronic back pain for almost a decade. When used regularly, it may provide long-term pain relief and improve your flexibility and mobility.
Get it at Walmart for $60.
Top features of the RumbleRoller:
This stainless steel water bottle wrapped in high-density foam takes care of your hydration and your recovery needs in one convenient design. The 40-ounce bottle is large enough to carry plenty of water to stay hydrated during your workout.
When you're not drinking, lay it on the floor and use it as a foam roller to soothe sore muscles and promote a better recovery. The carefully crafted trigger point surface texture on the foam helps deliver a targeted deep tissue massage and increased blood flow to your muscles.
The innovative design is a serious space saver for your gym bag. Instead of carrying a separate bulky foam roller and water bottle, toss this 2-in-1 Mobot in your bag and you're ready to go. And don't worry about breaking or denting the bottle. The durable 18/8 stainless steel bottle and EVA foam boast a 350-pound weight capacity.
Available in a variety of fun colors, you can get that handy 2-in-1 foam roller water bottle for $60 on Amazon.
Top features of the Mobot Foam Roller and Water Bottle:
The best way to use a foam roller depends on the muscles you're targeting and the pain you're dealing with. For back pain, it could be as simple as lying on top of the foam roller, making sure that it's putting pressure on the sore or tight area.
For a post-workout recovery routine, there are a number of moves you can use to target the different muscle groups you worked that day. We found a great (and free) online guide to different foam roller exercises you can try on REI's Expert Advice page.
Foam rollers are an effective way to give yourself a massage, even in hard to reach areas like your back and shoulders. By simply laying on one or rolling your leg on top of one, you can stretch out and massage tight muscles to enhance recovery and minimize post-workout pain.
Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to deal with muscle soreness after an intense workout. Studies have found that using a foam roller for at least 20 minutes after you work out can substantially reduce next-day muscle fatigue and soreness. In addition to preventing pain, that reduced soreness and fatigue means you'll be ready to exercise at your peak level sooner than if you hadn't used a foam roller.
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