How to Make Your Foam Roller Workout Even More Beneficial
Are you one of the few that has a gym with access to a power plate? Great! You can use this by adding the power plate to your foam rolling regimen. Even more benefits!
Because the power plate offers three planes (moving in all directions, from forward and back, side to side, and even up and down), it will force your muscles to compensate for this. This will exercise your muscles, leaving them lean, healthy, strong, and flexible.
Avoid Critical Foam Rolling Mistakes
To help you foam roll successfully, remember to avoid:
- Foam Rolling directly onto an injured area. Though it doesn’t seem logical, rolling an injured area isn’t a good choice. The reason is that the pain’s source isn’t usually where the pain is actually located.
What to do instead. Instead of directly rolling the painful area, try to roll the areas around it, focusing on any connecting muscles. Then, roll in towards the painful area again. This stops any inflammation, while also working the actual injury source. - Foam Rolling too quickly. This basically renders your rolling a moot point. It won’t do any of the things you want, such as relieving tense muscles. It won’t do you any good; instead, go slowly for maximum benefits.
What to do instead. You’ll want to move slowly. Preferably, at a ratio of one inch per second. Work sensitive areas even more slowly, and go over it repeatedly. Think about what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, and how it works. - Staying in one spot too long. It might not seem to make sense; we’ve been harping on the benefits of repeatedly going over spots. We promise you, there’s a reason behind it and an explanation! Though working one spot for up to ten minutes is normal for some athletes, you don’t want to do it for too long. That can cause problems, ranging from bruising and inflammation to nerve and tissue damage. Be cautious!
What to do instead. Gentleness will get you far. Don’t begin using your full body weight; use half. You’ll adjust the pressure with your body. Once you have the hang of it, you can use all of your weight. Remember: You can always have another session later if you have sore spots. Don’t overdo it! - Foam Rolling in bad posture. Like most exercises and other fitness regimens, posture is key in Foam Rolling. It’s hard work and is often done in strange positions. But, if you find yourself falling out of the posture needed for each exercise, you should regroup and then continue. If you don’t, it can make the
problems you face even worse…or even form new ones.
How to prevent bad posture. Keep yourself mindful of your alignment, and don’t let your mind wander from it during your session. If you’ve had a long, grueling workout, and are beyond exhausted? You can always do your Foam Rolling later so that you can be sure to maintain posture. To check your posture, use a mirror, or even record it on your phone. Then, adjust.
And finally – Enjoy using your Reehut Foam Roller, and enjoy the increased benefits that it is sure to bring to you!
