How to choose a foam roller

There are hundreds of foam roller options available for clinics and home users. With all the sizes, shapes, and firmness options available, how are you to know which roller is best for your needs?

We are obviously partial to our CanDo® foam rollers. Even within our selection, there is a lot to consider when choosing which one is right for you. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a foam roller:

1. What will the foam roller be used for?

Are you using the foam roller for a deep tissue massage and self-myofascial release, or are you using it for balance exercises and core training?

If you are using the roller for a massage, a round-shaped foam roller is best. The roller will roll with you and apply pressure to your muscles.

A half-round foam roller is best for balance exercises because it increases your balance when you stand on it. A half-round foam roller is also a good choice for the elderly or someone with little strength or muscle tone. As they grow comfortable with the roller they can begin to explore round-shaped options.

2. What kind of firmness will you need?

Most foam rollers are color-coded to reflect their level of firmness. Check with the manufacturer if you’re wondering about their roller’s color code. Some foam rollers have different colors, but the same level of firmness. For example, our CanDo® PE foam roller is white and our CanDo® PLUS foam roller is gray. Even though they are different colors they have the same firmness level.

As a general rule:

• White foam rollers are best for those just starting to use a foam roller. They are often the least dense and will allow movement between the muscles, bones, and the roller.
• Blue or lightly colored foam rollers provide medium massage pressure and are often used for advanced core-stabilization exercises.
• Black foam rollers are for those who can withstand an intense massage. We would suggest using a white or blue foam roller before you try to use a black roller.

3. How often are you going to use your roller?

If you work in a clinic, chances are your foam rollers are used every day. If you need white rollers we recommend speaking with your distributor to make sure it will hold up over time. (FEI customers: if you are looking for a softer roller that won’t show it’s age, we recommend using the CanDo® PLUS foam roller). Black foam rollers or EVA foam rollers hold up better over time because they are highly durable.

4. What size do you need?

This all depends on where you plan to use the roller. Longer foam rollers are best if you plan to roll on your back. If you plan to bring your roller with you on vacation, with you to that big race across the country, or to the gym, you might want to choose a smaller roller.

5. How much do you want to spend?

Rollers can cost as little as $5 or as much as $100 depending on firmness, brand, etc. Our CanDo® foam rollers are often the choice for clinics and individuals who want a quality roller at a lower cost.

Click here for more information about our CanDo® foam rollers. If you’re interested in learning more contact our sales team today at sales@feiretail.com.