Foam Rollers

Looking to buy a foam roller? Here's what you need to consider!

Trigger point foam rollers are part of the self-myofascial release (SMR) concept. The massage roller allows you to apply extra pressure on painful tension areas with your own body weight, helping to release deep connective tissue. Using a massage roller stimulates blood flow, releases muscle knots, and can even help alleviate muscle pain. The surfaces on the roller should simulate the palm, fingers, and fingertips when rolling over them. You can use the roller throughout your entire workout, from warm-up to cool-down. Not sure how to use the roller properly? Our foam roller exercises provide you with inspiration! Foam rollers come in various widths, densities, colors, and sizes. You don't need to worry about the color, just choose one that you like! However, size, pressure, and hardness are three aspects that make the difference. Fortunately, there is always a foam roller that can be tailored to your specific needs. So, want to know which foam roller to choose? Pay attention to the following aspects.

Hardness

When it comes to hardness, the rule of thumb is quite simple: hard rollers are more effective than soft ones. The idea behind all variations remains the same: the goal is to provide a trigger point massage that suits your needs. Make sure to use the right hardness to avoid experiencing too much pain while rolling. If you are new to foam rolling and have a low pain tolerance, you might be better off buying a soft roller. Your body needs time to get used to this new massage technique. Especially in the beginning, it may feel painful. The soft variant is also the best choice for relaxing exercises, allowing you to massage your muscles gently. However, if you are more advanced or can handle more pressure, opting for a harder roller is not a problem. The softer rollers in our range are great for rehabilitation in case of muscle injuries. The harder variants are suitable for athletes in need of a real sports foam roller. For the recovery of sore muscles or an intensive massage, a hard foam roller is more suitable. Because a hard roller is more direct and therefore more sensitive, it is recommended if you already have experience with foam rolling.

Pressure

A foam roller will exert a certain amount of pressure on your body. This can be low, high, or intense, depending on the massage roller you use. With massage rollers with low pressure, the pressure is evenly distributed over the muscle group. Low pressure is recommended for beginners. Opting for a roller with higher pressure, such as the grid foam roll in black, blue, or 33cm orange, or a massage ball, will result in deeper muscle relaxation. Thanks to the structure of the roller, it can press deeply into the skin. Intense pressure provides even harder stimulation. The points of the roller will press even deeper into your skin, providing a more intense massage. This means that using the intense rollers can be quite painful. However, if you are accustomed to massages or have significant muscle knots, a roller with high intensity is the right choice for you.

Size

Foam rollers are available in various sizes, ranging from a foam roller of 15 cm to 90 cm or even longer sometimes. However, many variants of this massage tool have a width of around 30 cm. The most common model with us is 33 cm long. The size is not only important for how you apply the roller but also to consider how easy it is to transport. For example, a lacrosse ball is super easy to carry in your sports bag, but a roller of 90 cm can be more cumbersome. Therefore, think carefully about which muscles you want to target and what is convenient for you. This width is perfect for use on legs, arms, and buttocks. It is also a convenient size to carry around. However, a longer roller is easier to use when targeting larger muscle groups. You can work more efficiently with a longer roller because it is wide enough for both legs at once. A longer roller is also ideal for massaging the back. Longer rollers often have a width starting from 40 cm. Our longest roller has a length of 90 cm. Want to know which massage roller suits you best? Below, you will find an overview of the foam rollers of Matchu Sports.

Overview of foam rollers Matchu Sports

Foam roller	Hardness	Pressure	Size	Guidelines
Foam roller soft 45cm	Soft	Low	45cm	Large surface area, large muscles
Foam roller soft 90cm	Soft	Low	90cm	Large surface area, large muscles
Foam roller black, blue & orange	Average	High	33cm	Trigger points, muscle knots, warm-up
Heavy duty foam roller	Hard	High	46cm	Large surface area, tightest muscles
Foam roller extra	Hard	Intense	31cm	Muscle knots, extended stimulation, warm-up

Foam roller alternatives

A foam roller of 10 cm, 13 cm, or 33 cm may not seem like a large product at first glance. However, such a roller is not always easy to carry around. For example, when going on vacation or on your way to work with a full backpack. Therefore, you can also opt for a lacrosse ball. This compact and hard ball is ideal for self-massage. Specific trigger points and muscle knots that are hard to reach with a foam roller can easily be targeted with the lacrosse ball. Thanks to its firmness, you can be assured that it will last long, and you will receive a deep massage. The ball has high hardness and intensity. It's guaranteed that you will feel a thorough massage with this small ball! Using the massage roller also makes it easy to massage hard-to-reach areas. When applying the roller to specific trigger points, blood circulation improves, and the connective tissue becomes looser. The massage roller is ideal for the legs, Achilles tendon, and calves. Additionally, the roller is very durable and feels sturdy. A major advantage of this massage stick is that it is easy to carry due to its small size. This product is preferred by many cyclists who want to quickly loosen up their shins and calves.