Roller Massage
Must a foam roller be high density in order to reap massage benefits?
I see foam roller sets available but most do not say they are high density foam. Is that really necessary in order to get good results?
Although often referred to as high- or low-density, DENSITY (i.e. weight/volume) is a misnomer; FIRMNESS is actually the property that you're interested in.
The softer "low-density" foam rollers provide much benefit and are great for beginners, who's muscles are typically more sensitive to physical pressure. Low-density foam rollers also have one advantage over high-density foam rollers -- they conform better to certain body parts. A drawback is that low-density foam rollers are almost always made from polyethylene foam (a.k.a. ethafoam), which breaks down relatively quickly under pressure. In fact, you may need to replace a low-density foam roller every few months if you use it daily.
The firmer "high-density" foam rollers press harder on the muscle and do a better job of breaking up adhesions (a.k.a. knots or trigger points). They're also made from better grades of foam. While they cost more initially, they last much longer, so they're a better investment for athletes and other frequent users.
For the most effective massage, firmer is better, but only to a point. The firmer the roller, the less flexible its surface. Consequently, extremely firm rollers, such as those made from bare PVC pipe, put too much force on high spots and too little force on low spots. They're OK for rolling larger muscle bellies, but aren't flexible enough to conform to other areas of the body, such as near bones and and muscle attachments, where adhesions tend to accumulate.
My recommendation is to start with a low-density foam roller, and use it regularly (about as often as you exercise). Within a few weeks, the quality of your muscle tissue will improve and the rolling will become less painful. At that point, you're ready for a firmer roller. You might also consider using a RumbleRoller, a new type of foam roller that more closely approximates deep-tissue massage.
Force USA Foam Muscle Massage Roller - Home Gym Exercises - FROLL - Featuring Nicky Jankovic
 |
 40 Pellets Cell Roller Massager Slimming Fat Cellulite Control $2.75 Time Remaining: 28d 7h 39m Buy It Now for only: $2.75 Buy It Now |
 YA MAN YAMAN FACE ROLLER JAPAN PLATINUM $150.00 Time Remaining: 2h 46m |
 360 Degree Slimming Leg Wheel Massager Anti Fat Cellulite Control Cell Roller $3.94 Time Remaining: 21d 12h 23m Buy It Now for only: $3.94 Buy It Now |
 Body Massage Beauty 7 ball Hand held 360 Degree Rotation Roller Massager 04126 $0.99 Time Remaining: 3h |
 Cell Roller Massager Slimming Leg Fat Cellulite Control $3.64 Time Remaining: 8d 9h 1m Buy It Now for only: $3.64 Buy It Now |
 4PC green jade massage head neck face foot roller tool $12.40 Time Remaining: 14d 5h 53m Buy It Now for only: $12.40 Buy It Now |
 Wooden Ball Body Massager Hand Roller Therapy Relaxing $0.99 Time Remaining: 3h 20m |
 Full Body Stress Relief Massager Wooden 16 Wheels Roller $12.34 Time Remaining: 27d 4h 47m Buy It Now for only: $12.34 Buy It Now |
 Woodtherapy Maderoterapia Anti Cellulite Massager Bow Tie Roller $35.00 Time Remaining: 23d 18h 8m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 Buy It Now |
 Vintage Relax It Electric Roller Vibrator Message $9.99 Time Remaining: 4h 16m |
 STI Rumble Roller 12quot Blue 1 Item $44.95 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 40m Buy It Now for only: $44.95 Buy It Now |
 Foot Roller Massager Heavy Duty Magnetic Acupressure Great Bargain $8.49 Time Remaining: 4h 37m Buy It Now for only: $16.99 Buy It Now |
 Trigger Point The Grid Foam Massage and Exercise Roller Orange $39.99 Time Remaining: 20d 2h 24m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 Buy It Now |
 GENUINE STIMULATING BLISS Deep Massage Roller Ball Massager Muscle Stress RELIEF $25.26 Time Remaining: 18d 18h 30m Buy It Now for only: $25.26 Buy It Now |
 3 Foot Roller Massagers Magnetic Acupressure Sturdy Great Bargain $21.99 Time Remaining: 4h 40m Buy It Now for only: $44.99 Buy It Now |
 Pro Tec Roller Massager with Trigger Point Release Grip $24.95 Time Remaining: 10d 18h Buy It Now for only: $24.95 Buy It Now |
 Rumble Roller Massage Therapy Foam Roller 31 x 6 $69.95 Time Remaining: 3d 22h 4m Buy It Now for only: $69.95 Buy It Now |
 4 Foot Roller Massagers Magnetic Acupressure Heavy Duty Great Bargain $28.99 Time Remaining: 4h 42m Buy It Now for only: $59.99 Buy It Now |
 360 Degree Cell Roller Anti Fat Slimming Leg Cellulite Control Wheel Massager $3.94 Time Remaining: 7d 14h 33m Buy It Now for only: $3.94 Buy It Now |
 NEW Slimming Leg Roller Massager Relaxation $5.59 Time Remaining: 5h 15m |
 Rumble Roller Massage Therapy Foam Roller 12 x 5 $44.95 Time Remaining: 3d 22h 34m Buy It Now for only: $44.95 Buy It Now |
 Lyapko applicator massager roller Facial Obverse face lifting $14.99 Time Remaining: 26d 21h 21m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 Buy It Now |
 Clip face lift facial massage elastic face lift massage rollers $0.01 Time Remaining: 7h 21m |
 Anti Cellulite Body Shaping Massager Corn Roller Legs Hips Cellulite $35.00 Time Remaining: 23d 17h 35m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 Buy It Now |
 Face Neck Massage Massager Roller Facial Slim Up Beauty $4.69 Time Remaining: 22d 5h 7m Buy It Now for only: $4.69 Buy It Now |
 Self Face Lift Roller Face Massager for a Slimmer Outline $6.30 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 8h 50m |
 The Original Body Stick Self Roller Massage Tool $42.45 Time Remaining: 13d 9h 37m Buy It Now for only: $42.45 Buy It Now |
 Wooden Body Massage Roller Massager Back Scratcher NEW $0.01 Time Remaining: 11h 12m |
 360 Degree Wheel Massager Slimming Leg Anti Fat Cellulite Control Cell Roller $3.94 Time Remaining: 20d 15h 33m Buy It Now for only: $3.94 Buy It Now |
 Thera Roll 7 x 18 Grey Hard Foam Roller $64.95 Time Remaining: 29d 20h 6m Buy It Now for only: $64.95 Buy It Now |
 Natural quartz crystal massage head neck face foot roller tool $0.89 Time Remaining: 15h 54m |
 Pro Tec The Stick Massager Roller Body Muscle Massage $45.46 Time Remaining: 11d 13h 41m Buy It Now for only: $45.46 Buy It Now |
 360 Degree Slimming Leg Anti Fat Cellulite Control Cell Roller Wheel Massager $3.94 Time Remaining: 20d 14h 14m Buy It Now for only: $3.94 Buy It Now |
 SHIATSU MASSAGE CUSHION QUAD ROLLER DUAL ACTION WITH HEAT 1 DAY SALE $49.99 Time Remaining: 17h 1m |
 Lyapko applicator massager roller Facial Obverse face lifting $28.98 Time Remaining: 29d 16h 1m Buy It Now for only: $28.98 Buy It Now |
 Body Facial Triangle Chin Neck Massager Stress Relax Roller Handheld Pink $0.01 Time Remaining: 17h 33m |
 Fat Cellulite Control Cell Roller Massager 40 Pellets $4.00 Time Remaining: 9d 11h 49m Buy It Now for only: $4.00 Buy It Now |
 Cell Roller Leg Arm Massager Massage Slimming Anti Cellulite Beauty $1.99 Time Remaining: 3d 5h 12m Buy It Now for only: $1.99 Buy It Now |
 anti Cellulite Reducing Shower Roller Massager full body Slimming tool NEw $11.05 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 18h 55m |
 Thera Roll 7 x 18 Purple Firm Foam Roller $49.99 Time Remaining: 29d 19h 55m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 Buy It Now |
 360 Degree Cell Roller Slimming Leg Anti Fat Cellulite Control Wheel Massager $3.94 Time Remaining: 2d 5h 56m Buy It Now for only: $3.94 Buy It Now |
 HOMEDICS QUAD ROLLER MASSAGE HEATED QRM 400H THERAPIST SELECT MASSAGING $19.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 4h 48m |
 beautiful green jade stone facial massage Rollers $3.71 Time Remaining: 27d 2h 14m Buy It Now for only: $3.71 Buy It Now |
 New Roller Wood Foot Massager Stress Relief Acupressure Health Beauty Tool pO $7.69 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 33m Buy It Now for only: $8.49 Buy It Now |
 Homedics Shiatsu Roller Massaging Cushion with Heat MCS 325H $53.99 Time Remaining: 27d 19h 7m Buy It Now for only: $53.99 Buy It Now |
 Massage Face Platinum Electronic Roller ReFa JAPANEMS Free Shipping NEW $189.99 Time Remaining: 28d 17h 18m Buy It Now for only: $189.99 Buy It Now |
 SIMPLY REFLEXOLOGY with Book DVD and Foot roller $12.00 Time Remaining: 1d 18h 20m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 Buy It Now |
 Fat Cellulite Control Cell Roller Massager 40 Pellets $3.99 Time Remaining: 29d 14h 56m Buy It Now for only: $3.99 Buy It Now |
 Homedics QRM 400H Therapist Select Quad Roller Massaging Cushion with Heat $129.98 Time Remaining: 29d 18h 9m Buy It Now for only: $129.98 Buy It Now |
 WONDERFUL WOODEN RABBIT BACK MASSAGER ROLLER $0.99 Time Remaining: 1d 19h 56m |
 360 Degree Slimming Leg Cell Roller Anti Fat Cellulite Control Wheel Massager $3.94 Time Remaining: 25d 6h 46m Buy It Now for only: $3.94 Buy It Now |
 Ancient Acupressure body massage Roller Hand FREE SHIPPING Sale Price: $9.59  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionNatural traditional method to relieve pain by applying the pointed pressure is called acupressure. This tool will help you stay healthy & fit at home. Wooden acupressure massager is made with Single spiked roller and a handle to hold or apply the pressure on body...  |
 Body Back Company Foot Roller and Porcupine Massage Ball List Price: Sale Price: $12.95 You save: $7.00 (35%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThe Foot Roller Massager activates pressure points releasing healing energy to regenerate the feet and benefit the whole body. Did you know that the feet have the highest concentration of nerve endings in the body? The Foot Roller Massager activates pressure points releasing healing energy to regenerate the feet and benefit the whole body... |
 J Fit 36-Inch Extra Durable Hi-Density Foam Roller List Price: Sale Price: $27.99 You save: $12.00 (30%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionHi Density Foam Rollers are extra firm and will last much longer then White single construction foam rollers. This foam roller is 36" in length and 6" in diameter. It can be used to enhance balance, body awareness, muscle re-education, flexibility, myofacial release and dynamic strength... |
 The Foam Roller, Workout & Massage List Price: Sale Price: $17.99 You save: $2.00 (10%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThis DVD guides you through a rejuvenating workout that offers a number of benefits brought on by improved core strength and deep muscle massage.The foam roller is inexpensive, easy to store, and takes the place of large, bulky exercise equipment... |
 Ancient Acupressure Double Roller Massage FREE SHIPPING Sale Price: $15.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionNatural traditional method to relieve pain by applying the pointed pressure is called acupressure. This tool will help you stay healthy & fit at home. Wooden acupressure massager is made with two spiked rollers and a central long rod to hold or apply the pressure on body... |
 Pro-Roller Massage Essentials Sale Price: $9.93 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionLearn to use a foam roller to target specific areas of tightness or tenderness. The exercises explain how to control the amount of pressure put on each region. Performing these Pro-Roller (foam roller) massage techniques will help you improve, and prevent, muscle tension that can lead to restrictions... |
 Body Tools - Footsi Roller/Foot Flex Massage Tool List Price: Sale Price: $9.95 You save: $3.00 (23%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionBody Tools - Footsie Roller/Foot Flex Massage Tool UPC: 751035641620 Front Label Panel: Footsie Roller/Foot Flex Massage Tool Instructions: Place The Sole Of The Foot On The Footsie Roller And Apply A Comfortable Pressure To Relax And Relieve Foot Pain... |
 Massage Roller Ball List Price: Sale Price: $9.95 You save: $5.00 (33%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionProvides a stimulating, deep tissue massage. Relieves stress and stiffness. Unique design. Easy to use. One ball per purchase. Colors will vary. |
 The Foam Roller, Workout & Massage Sale Price: $1.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product |
