When Chris sent us the ins and outs of the Modelfit workout program, including suggested equipment, a foam roller was on the list. Now when I initially looked at this “thing”, I pictured myself using it as a swim toy. You know, like one of these babies:

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Little did I know I’d look a little more like this:

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Oh darn.
But all joking aside, I had NO idea what a foam roller was, what it’s used for or even how to start using it. Chris had provided some foam rolling basics, but I’m a visual and kinesthetic learner. I need to see and manipulate something new until I fully grasp the activity. So together, with Chris’s instructions, online demos, 100’s of Youtube videos, and a little playing of my own, I was able to start using the roller successfully! Of course, I’m still learning, but I feel a lot more confident than I was when I first laid eyes on this “thing”. Check out a few of Chris’s workout videos on how he has suggested I use the foam roller:

Mobility routine

Step #1: Foam rolling– Perform 30 full rolls up and down the muscle.  Front of leg   Side of leg   Foot   Calf   Hip                              

So what IS foam rolling? Here’s the downlow from Fitsugar.com: Wouldn’t it be nice to end every active week with an intense deep-tissue massage to help ease your muscles? But since we can’t always spring for a trip to the spa, here’s what we can do — use the foam roll at the gym. You may have seen people in the gym foam rolling and think it’s just for serious athletes or gym rats, but that’s not the case. But there are many reasons why massaging out the tight knots in muscles is an important part of your workout routine, even if you already stretch regularly. Why? Because no matter how much you stretch, the build up of fascia that creates muscle knots that won’t go away, which can lead to many different problems. (Read the rest of the article here).

The cool thing about foam rolling is you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get started. Something as simple as a tennis ball can get you on the right track. Amazon.com has great deals on foam rollers of all shapes and sizes if you decide to try your hand at this “new to me” flexibility workout. Beware, however, if you have pets at home. Foam rollers and tennis balls may become toys to the little darlings.

Here are a few other great foam rolling resources to read through:

• http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/finder/lookup/filter/equipment/id/14/equipment/foam-roll
• http://www.nationalthrowscoachesassociation.com/Forms/FoamRoller.pdf
• http://www.livestrong.com/physical-therapy-foam-roller/
• http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/self-myofascial-release.html
• http://fitknitchick.com/2011/06/11/hurt-so-good-adventures-in-foam-rolling/
• http://www.bradgouthrofitness.com/my-stretching-routine/
• http://running-tall.com/home/2012/4/19/why-you-should-be-foam-rolling.html

Do you foam roll? Any advice or success stories you’d like to share? Oh, and would you like to WIN a foam roller of your own? Check out my recipe contest later today for details!

-Steph

*I am not a fitness professional. I just blog about my own fitness adventures! Please chat with your doctor before starting anything physical.