Buying a fancy massage gun can feel like a commitment, so why not start with the budget-friendly version that's already in the gym?
Name: Foam rolling.
Age: Old school now, but getting its second wind.
Appearance: A rigid tube of torture that comes in various sizes and textures.
Oh, one of those things. You may have seen them at your gym. They apparently help keep fascia healthy by circulating oxygenated blood, reducing aches and pains and increasing flexibility.
Fascia? Isn't that what women wear on their heads at weddings? No, you're thinking of a fascinator. Fascia is the thin casing of connective tissue that surrounds and holds every organ, blood vessel, bone, nerve fiber and muscle in place.
And rolling around on a hard tube helps it? Sure. Foam rolling is like a DIY deep-tissue massage, where you use your own body weight to apply pressure to sore muscles.
Really? Because it hurts? Well, it’s supposed to feel uncomfortable. That’s how you know it’s working. They say it can help with muscle soreness and improve your range of motion.
Sounds like something my yoga teacher would make me do. It is. And your physical therapist. And anyone who’s ever had to deal with a knot in their back.
And this is a form of fitness? No, it’s a form of fitness recovery. You do it before or after a workout, or even on a rest day. It’s supposed to help you get back to the gym faster, without all the aches and pains.
And the benefits are scientifically proven? Well, the science is a bit mixed, but a lot of people swear by it. It’s a bit like a placebo, except the placebo is a solid cylinder of plastic, and it hurts.
So, I should just buy a foam roller and roll around on it? You could! Or you could get a massage. Or stretch. Or just complain a lot. The point is, your body needs to recover. And if you don't do something to help it along, you'll feel like you've been run over by a truck.
Come to think of it, I feel like I have been run over by a truck. You should really do something about that.
I suppose it’s a lot cheaper than a massage. It is. And you can do it in the comfort of your own home, while watching TV. Just don’t get stuck on the floor and have to yell for help.
Do say: “Myofascial release, baby!”
Don’t say: “I thought this was a pool noodle for the floor.”
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