The best foam rollers for relieving sore muscles and tension

Foam rollers are often left ignored and not seen as an essential for your gym kit, we’re here to change that.

Foam rollers are quite literally life-changing and will help you and your body recover after some intense workout sessions, how could you say no to that?

Boasting some pretty amazing health benefits they're great for taking your workout routine to the next level.

Depending on your fitness interest, you can use it while exercising or after it, to help you to cool down. If you’re mad about Pilates, you can even introduce it into moves like the grasshopper.

Foam roller benefits:

• Ease muscle pain – foam rolling is great for relieving sore muscles and reducing inflammation.

• Relieve back pain – foam rolling can be great for helping ease any tension in the back when using your foam roller vertically to your spine.

• Helps to relax- foam rolling is a great post-workout activity, breaking up tightness in your muscles may help you feel less tense and hopefully more calm.

• Flexibility – foam rolling can help to increase your range of motion and in course help with flexibility.

Foam rollers come in a variety of shapes, sizes and textures - each density and surface are for something different. Some rollers are shorter making them good for massaging a specific area, whereas some have a smaller diameter which will help with your balance.

Whether you’re looking to use this device to soothe tight areas, self-massage or speed up muscle recovery, you’re bound to find the right one for your body.

Here are some amazing foam rollers that you need to introduce into your day-to-day fitness plan ASAP.

SHOP: The best foam rollers UK 2021

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Extremely lightweight yet stimulating on muscles, this foam roller is perfect for taking on the go to the gym or your next Pilates class.

Notable features:

• Size – 33 x 14cm

• Weight – 850g

• Multi massager with three different surface levels

• Includes foam rolling exercise guide

Get instant relief and reduce muscle pain, with Amazon’s number one bestselling foam roller from FitNation. With its durable design and free personal training guides, you’ll be a pro foam roller in no time!

Notable features:

• Size – 33 x 14 cm

• Free exercise booklet and online videos included

• Dimples on the 3D surface guarantee a deep massage

For deep-tissue massaging, effective injury prevention and post-workout muscle rehabilitation, the Premium Foam Roller is ideal. Its advanced foam pattern works to iron out the tightest knots and shift the most stubborn lactic acid to ensure you’re ready for your next workout, whenever it comes.

Notable features:

• Advanced-level foam pattern

• Lightweight and portable

• Durable high-density foam

Release post-sweat tension in your back, arms, and legs with this two-in-one roller. Featuring two rollers in on, the exterior roller is perfect for massaging arms and legs, while the interior roller works best to release tension in your back. Combine both for a deep full-body massage.

Notable features:

• Size - 50.8 x 13 cm

• Dense foam is durable and supportive

• Two-in-one roller

Use FitBeast Foam Rollers 4 Piece Set to flush lactic acid from your muscles and increase blood flow with deep tissue massage which will relieve muscle tension in your legs, back and body as well as improve sleep. This set is the perfect starter kit for relieving all sore muscles and tension.

Notable features:

• Includes – Foam roller, soft foam roller, lacrosse massage ball and hard massage ball all in a handy carry bag

• Free foam roller course included

The Bulk foam roller’s varied pattern works to tackle the tightest of knots and shift stubborn lactic acid to ensure that you’re raring to go for your next workout. It is light and portable, strong and robust, and has the added benefit of being non-porous and easy to clean.

Notable features:

• Size – 33 x 13 cm

• Varied pattern to pinpoint different muscles

• Easy to clean, lightweight and portable

Keen to get into foam rolling and want to look cute while doing so? Then this offering from H&M is quite literally perfect! Decked out in a varied textured surface and in a gorgeous light beige, we’re OBSESSED.

Notable features:

• Size - 33 x 14 cm

• Varied all-over textured surface

• Gorgeous light beige colour

This Muscle Roller is a training aid ideal for warm-up and recovery using deep tissue massage. It has built-in foam grooves and bumps on its surface to support muscle release for all sports enthusiasts from HIIT fanatics to budding boxers.

Notable features:

• Comes with instructional guide

• Varied all-over textured surface

• Lightweight and portable

This medium/firm foam roller from Opti has a smooth surface for applying even pressure when massaging tense muscles. It can also be used as a support during yoga and Pilates for stretching and body strengthening, improving core muscle strength, posture and stability.

Notable features:

• Size - 45 x 15 cm

• Firm roller for gentle stretching

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How to use a foam roller

A top tip to remember when you’re using a foam roller is practice makes perfect. At first, it can feel a little bit uncomfortable because your body’s getting used to it. It’s essential to always roll it along slowly and apply pressure to the direct area.

Looking to use your new foam roller to aid recovery? Check out this great 20-minute video to get the most out of your new gym accessory:

This 15-minute guided tutorial is also a great tutorial on utilising your foam roller for low back pain: