Benefits of foam rolling

I've yet to meet someone that actually enjoys foam rolling (do they exist?) but this necessary evil has recently become my go-to. Having upped my running in the past few weeks due to a shoulder injury that I mentioned a few posts back, I've realised just how much having a @tp_therapy foam roller on hand can help with muscle recovery.

This form of self-myofascial release is pretty straightforward and works by applying pressure to trigger points. If you’re new to foam rolling, start by slowly moving forwards and backwards over the roller (aim for an inch a second or slower), pause when you feel a sore spot and hold for up to 20 seconds. Continue to move up and down the roller until the tenderness eases. Rolling can seem somewhat tedious but I find that putting on a TV show or podcast during it helps to distract from the particularly painful spots!

I'm often guilty of finishing a run or resistance session and thinking "I'll do some stretching and rolling later" by which point I've become distracted (usually by food!) and never get around to it. Since committing to a foam rolling routine before and after running, I've definitely noticed my legs feeling less sore the following day. It also serves as a great 'maintenance' tool between sports massages.

Gem.