Hurts so good {giveaway}
You know the dad in My Big Fat Greek Wedding and his Windex?
That’s me and the foam roller. It helps with everything, from sore hamstrings to a broken heart.
I tell everyone that it “hurts so good” – that is, if you like a little pain.
So I wouldn’t recommend it in every possible situation, but for me, it’s helped with the chronic IT band pain I used to have, word on the street is that it reduces the appearance of cellulite (I’m a believer!) and it’s like a free massage. So when I ask the Pilot for a back rub and he pretends to not hear me, I can foam roll instead 😉
Here are some benefits of using a foam roller:
-Self myofascial release —> fancy way of saying “self massage” and enables soft tissue work. Many athletes accredit their fitness gains to soft tissue work. While using the foam roller, you use your body weight to apply pressure to sore spots and the eventual release can help restore or maintain full range of motion. When you have full range of motion, you aren’t forced to compensate by changing your normal movement patterns (which can cause muscular imbalance). This way, you’re less likely to become injured.
-Foam rolling helps to reduce fascia buildup, which makes us stiff. To read more about the benefits of thinning out fascia, this is a fantastic and thorough article.
-It’s easier to roll certain tight areas that are difficult to stretch in a static manner (like psoas and IT band). Static stretches also do not provide the compression that occurs while foam rolling- it’s similar to the release of a massage. This has worked WONDERS for my IT band, which can give us some issues if we do repetitive exercise (like running, spinning, walking/hiking, etc). It’s a difficult area to stretch and constant IT band rolling has helped reduce the knee pain I’ve experienced. One of my friends suffered from intense plantar fasciitis and foam rolling her calves helped immensely.
-It can help you de-stress and relax. If anything, it feels good! Of course the sore spots will be a little painful, but to me, always feel better after a foam rolling session. After a long day, I love rolling out my back, too.
*Heads up: if you’re currently injured or experiencing pain, check with a doc, Physical Therapist or Exercise Physiologist in your area before starting a foam rolling routine.
Here are some of my favorite ways to foam roll:
Tips:
Start to roll very slowly in long, sweeping motions.
When you find a tight spot, hold the foam roller on the spot for 30 seconds – 1 minute.
Continue to roll until you find the next tight spot, hold (30 seconds – 1 minute) and release.
Use your arms to support your body. If it’s too much, transfer more weight to your arms. If you want more, try lifting one leg (or one arm) to transfer more of your body weight to the roller.
See the blue Thera Roll in the above pics? It has ridges which helps penetrate the muscle a little deeper. It’s like the original foam roller’s angry cousin- and I love it.
OpenSky generously offered to send one to a lucky reader 🙂
Here’s how to enter:
–Follow me on OpenSky and leave a comment with your favorite way to sweat and/or any sore spots you’d like to foam roll
-Already follow me on OpenSky? Just leave a comment with your favorite way to sweat and/or any sore spots you’d like to foam roll
I’ll pick a winner from the comments tonight (5/23) at midnight EST.
Have a great day!
xoxo
Gina
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My favorite way to sweat is by doing Zumba!! And I really want to foam roll my quadriceps and IT band!
I already follow you on OpenSky. This would be great after my daily spin class! My IT band, calves, and back are always sore after.
Already follow you on OpenSky! And I’ve been needing a foam roller for some time now… IT band always gets me!
Rolling my IT band would be fabulous with that more intense foam roller!
Already following! 🙂 My favorite way to sweat is with AMRAPs and then a good run in the morning. And I really want to foam roll glutes and hamstrings.
Already am an OPENSKYS follower!!!!
I love foam rolling ever since I went to PT for a really bad IT band. I was so relaxed when I left PT, it was amazing. I need to try and roll my lats and arms!
xoxo
I follow you on OpenSky!
I’ve also struggled with ITBS, and have learned to love the “hurts so good” feeling of the foam roller! It’s part of my daily routine now. I would LOVE to use this Thera Roller to get a deeper massage!
Hi Gina! I already follow you on Open Sky 🙂 I would love the foam roller to be able to massage out my tired legs after a long run!
I am now following you! I would love a foam roller for after running!
I have fibro so I’m always sore, so would live to try this. I tend to have a sore lowerback most of all so thinking this would feel great, when I rub my back hard it feels so good!
Following you 🙂 Oh man, I was JUST complaining to the fiance last night that my IT band is so tight and soooo difficult to stretch out! The only thing that seems to help is yoga! I have yet to try foam rolling…but you are giving me hope lady 🙂 [and the comment about cellulite – really!?? amazing!!] Favorite way to sweat would have to be strength training with sprints in between each set. Super sweaty, and super efficient!
Okay so I just followed you on OpenSky. I had never heard of it before, so it’s new to me. And I would love an angry cousin foam roller! 🙂 I have mild scoliosis in my lower back which causes a lot of daily back pain. So just dreaming about rolling around and massaging my back muscles is exciting!
I already follow you on OpenSky! I have never foam rolled with it before, but I feel like it could def help my quads and calves after a run!
I follow you on Open Sky! I did my first long run today after taking a few weeks off and every muscle in my body could use the foam roller- especially my hamstrings!
Foam rolling KILLS me. But yes, so worth it. It helps my muscles recover so much faster especially after a long run. I like to roll out my IT band. It’s the most beneficial I think. I’ve never tried foam-rolling my arms…but willing to give it a shot even though it’s super awkward looking ha ha!
Already following. I would LOVE to use this for my legs. My calves / hamstrings get so tight after exercising and I think this would help with the ongoing misery!!!
Im performing in a musical where I have to wear heels every night. I’d foam roll my hamstrings and my outer hips. Thanks Gina!
My IT bands are always in need of foam rolling!
I already follow on OpenSky (mmm SunWarrior). I run and I love it, but I’m terrible at stretching even though it helps me so much. My IT band would love a foam roller.
I’m a Chiropractor and I recommend them to so many of my patients!!
I want to foam roll my back. I’ve started using the rowing machine more often and my upper back is not used to the work!
I just followed you on Open Sky. I love to do step, but haven’t found an instructor I like yet in my new hometown (sniff…) . I’ve never tried a foam roller, but it sounds awesome.
I followed you! I would love to foam roll my hamstrings! They are always sore 🙂
I definitely need to foam roll my back!
I already follow you on opensky! I love running and I loooove foam rolling my IT bands bc they get so tight.
I would love to foam roll my back right about now! And I love my new spin spike for working up a sweat!
I already follow you on Opensky 😉
Andddd I’d LOVE to roll out my quads– They’ve been killing me!
I would love to have one! I have a normal foam roller that is about worn out. I’m always amazed at the “hot spots” I find when I’m rolling that I didn’t even know needed extra attention!
I just did a workout that left me sore all over, so I’d love a full-body foam-roll!!!!
I just got an Opensky account and am following you! The foam roller seems amazing and like just what I need. Lately I have been sweating it up with spin classes and I know it is really important to keep well stretched and I think my IT bands are screaming for one of these bad boys!
I love to foam roll my lower back – I really does hurt so good.
definitely legs!
I also love foam rolling, I would love a new one! Bands are a great way to stretch out your muscles too!
I follow you on OpenSky, and my favourite way to sweat is on a sunny weekend long run 🙂
My favorite way to sweat are the cross fit-style classes I’ve been taking for the past several months. They’ve helped me regain a lot of muscle mass that I lost during several lazy years and have helped me feel like an athlete again. Love it! But all that lifting does result in some sore muscles in need of periodic foam rolling!
I already follow you on Open Sky! My favorite way to sweat is step class – my water even broke in the middle of it! I have always wanted a foam roller; after having a baby, everything will be sore once I get back into working out. So, I’ll be using it a LOT. 😉
I love using a foam roller the day after working out my back and shoulders. I literally roll it up and down my back for 10 mins, and it is almost as good as a massage.
I already follow you on Open Sky but have always wanted a foam roller and would love to try this one out.
i was just looking at this in your open sky store today! i so need a foam roller and after just ramping up my (sprint) triathlon training with the opening of outdoor pools, i know my IT band and shoulders will need some TLC!
I already follow you on OpenSky. I love foam rolling my hips. I had surgery on both so they are often sore! I’d love to have one at home to use instead of having to go to the gym!
I would love to foam roll my quads, hamstrings, and calves. They are on fire from this morning’s bootcamp workout (soooooo many lunges)!
I love to foam roll after a long sweaty run! This would be amaze! Oh and I already follow you on OpenSky 🙂
My favorite way to sweat is via a kick-ass strength training session. I would love a foam roller for my chronically sore hammys from all the squats and lunges!!
My booty and hamstrings could use a foam roll. I stretch but sometimes it’s just not enough. Also shoulders.
Can anything be used in place of a foam roller?
My favorite way to sweat is just a good old fashioned vinyasa yoga class. I used to run a ton and have even done ultramarathons and a marathon, but at this point in my life, yoga just works better and makes me feel better. It’s nice because it’s sweating and sort of meditative at the same time. 🙂
I love my foam roller before ballet! It’s a great way to warm up and get my muscles ready for stretching. I’ve noticed a HUGE difference. We have a bunch of foam rollers at the studio. (I follow you on Open Sky 🙂 )
I HATE … I mean I LOVE to use a foam roller! I need it on my calves and hammies. But, it definitely “hurts so good.” Fav sweat? I sweat a ton when I run, but I actually love to sweat on the gauntlet machine (the running escalator machine at the Y).
i have been wanting a foam roller for the longest time to help with my stiff IT band. this one looks awesome…and scary!
This might sound weird but I’d like to foam roll the tops of my ankles/feet! I love to run and dance as ways to sweat!
O yes! I like to sweat by doing about 30 min weight training and then a 20 min HIIT workout on the treadmill! Hope I win!