A foam roller might just be the most affordable piece of fitness equipment that every home exerciser needs in his or her arsenal. It is lightweight, portable, stores easily, and highly versatile. Foam rollers  became popular as a Pilates accessory, but now their applicability to all kinds of exercise has made them more mainstream. The foam rollers are not just for Pilates anymore.

What is Myofacial Release?

One of the lesser known benefits of this exercise tool is for alleviating sore muscle pain in your body. Myofascial release is a kind of therapeutic massage that can be done easily on this piece of equipment. You use your own body weight to provide the necessary assistance to massage areas of soreness at different points in your body. By lying on the roller and exerting pressure on sore spots like your shoulder or back, you can reduce tightness to that area which is causing you pain and discomfort. The longer you stay pressed against the roller and the harder you press, the more release of tension you will experience.  Foam Rollers are not just for Pilates anymore!

Integrating the Stabilizer Muscles with the Foam Roller

This fitness accessory is an excellent way to challenge your muscles differently for resistance training. The instability of the roller requires your stabilizer muscles and your core to be actively engaged throughout every exercise. Balance is one of the cornerstones of a complete exercise program along with strength, cardio, and flexibility training. In order to prevent the foam rollers from moving, every muscle has to work harder to remain still. Push-ups on the floor are a challenging exercise, Push-ups with your hands on the roller are significantly more challenging. The most challenging exercise of all is to do a push-up with your feet on the foam roller. The core strength required to remain still and upright in a plank position is immense.

Another great way to incorporate these exercise tools into your fitness routine is to do your traditional sit-ups on the foam roller instead of on the floor. You can lie completely on the roller with your head at one end and your feet planted on the ground. In order to prevent movement or falling off, you have to engage your core much more than in a sit-up on the floor.

This exercise apparatus also works your hamstrings well. Lie on the floor with your feet on the roller. Lift your butt up and roll the roller out away from your body and roll it in, making sure to keep your backside elevated the entire time. If you do three sets of 15 reps, your hamstrings will be on fire. Foam rollers are not just for Pilates anymore!

Sometimes just by changing the piece of equipment you use to perform exercises is enough to challenge your body in a different way than it is accustomed. This hidden treasure makes every exercise more difficult and intense which will strengthen and tone your muscles more effectively.