Buying a foam roller can seem like a simple choice: After all, a foam roller doesn’t cost that much. However, there’re some foam rollers that are just not worth it to get, no matter how cheap it is. Getting a badly manufactured roller can even be hazardous to you or your loved ones’ health. You don’t want to be doing a plank on a foam roller and have it break underneath you! Here’s a list of things you should take note of before deciding on a foam roller.
1. Durability
As we all know, no manufacturing method is the same, and some are just better than others. Getting a high-end manufactured foam roller means that the foam will be of a higher density and quality. A premium roller like the Trigger Point Foam Roller can last for more than 1 year under frequent use, while a low-end roller might only last for a few weeks. Here are some things you should take note of:
- Foam Quality and material – Is the foam manufactured with high consistency and quality? Look for online reviews, does the foam flake off easily, and is the density very inconsistent? Inconsistency can be a sign of a poor manufacturing process.
- The material of the inner core or the tube of the foam roller – Most foam rollers are made of PVC, does the PVC feel strong and able to withstand your weight? Premium foam rollers will use a superior material called ABS, which cost much more to manufacture than PVC pipes, but are multiple times stronger and last longer.
- Foam Retainability – Does the foam lose shape easily? You don’t want a foam roller that loses its hardness after a few uses, leaving you with a soft foam roller that’s useless. That’s why the foam quality is very important
Me and Atticus have personally tested many foam rollers, and we’ve found that the traditional PVC ones that we first used from our local suppliers are really not the best to use. In fact, having a foam roller with an ABS core was extremely important to us as we’ve had bad experiences with the PVC ones.
The traditional PVC Roller deforms under partial bodyweight
ABS are the preferred material
2. Getting the Hardness and Feel that’s right for you
What’s equally important to the durability of your foam roller is getting the right density and hardness to suit your exercise needs. Every individual will have different needs. For example, the solid EVA Foam Roller would be suitable for people who have smaller muscles, as these rollers are not as intense as the others. Think of it like this: If your muscles are softer, you wouldn’t want to bruise your muscles rolling over a very hard roller! On the other hand, if your muscles are thick as tree trunks, something like the Solid EVA Foam Roller will not be for you.
Besides the texture and design, you also have to look at the hardness of the foam. Foam can be made with different hardness, so every retailer of foam rollers will be different.
Of course, it’s generally a good guideline to get a denser one rather than a less dense one. A denser foam roller at a similar hardness will mean that it’s material is more composite than a less dense one.
A Solid EVA Foam Roller has a more even texture, providing a more consistent but less intensive rolling experience.
A multi density roller can be more versatile
Just hardcore!
3. Product Warranty
Most premium suppliers of foam rollers will have a warranty for their product. Take note of the warranty length, and what the warranty covers. Of course, a product with a longer warranty would mean that the product is of a higher quality, and you would be guaranteed to get your money’s worth out of that product!
