Foam rolling your legs is all the rage these days, and it’s easy to understand why. Using a roller like this is a great new way for people to massage their bodies, by either a self-massage or by having someone else massage them, to help with cramps and soreness. They’ve helped a lot of people, but there is a choice that you can make to ensure that you are getting the best results from your roller. That choice is to find out what type of foam roller that you want for your legs.
There's a huge selection of foam rollers on the market, but how do you choose? If you're looking to use one for your legs, the answer may surprise you: it's not the extra long ones that work best. It's the ones with a ridge in them! The grooved part of the roller is what helps target the muscles and it's an amazing way to keep your legs injury-free.
By rolling over your legs with this type of roller, it can help to take out any knots or tightness in those muscles, which will reduce injuries and make running feel easier because there isn't any tightness preventing you from getting the full range of motion. A preferred choice is the peanut shaped foam roller, as it has the groove in the center and allows even pressure on either side of the roller.
Even though most people use the foam roller to help with loosening tense muscles in their calves or hamstrings, according to a few studies, foam rolling could be an effective way to reduce the appearance of cellulite too! While there is no scientific evidence that foam rolling literally reduces the volume of fat cells, a firm peanut foam roller can help improve your skin's elasticity. Adding your thighs to the list of areas that you want to use the roller on can help make you feel more comfortable in your body.
Here's one of the many proven techniques to use for your legs:
- Lay on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Place the foam roller under one leg at a time, placing the calf or hamstring over the roller so that it is perpendicular to your body. Use your arms to support yourself as you push yourself up and down the length of the leg using your legs for balance. Do this for 5 to 20 minutes on a daily basis, but even just a few times a week is fine. This helps loosen tight calves or hamstrings after exercise or improve flexibility if you are an athlete, such as a dancer or gymnast.
The truth of it is that there are many foam rollers for your legs, and even more leg massaging techniques. However, all of them are going to help you stretch and relax, so whether you want to do a self-massage or have someone help you out with a professional massage, the bottom line is that foam rollers for your legs that have a groove are great for people of all ages. They never go out of style either. These days if you see a professional sport player using one, don’t be surprised – it’s brandishing coolness and simplicity together for your benefit.