People who swim regularly for exercise know that swimming is one of the best forms of exercise you can participate in. It has many health benefits, including a strengthening of your heart, respiratory and circulatory system.
One drawback of doing this is the development of pain in muscles. Not only can this cause a reduction in your desire to swim, but it can also be extremely painful.
For this reason, many people have sought to use foam rollers when they’re swimming. Let’s have a look at some of these rollers and the different variables to consider when you’re making your choice.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller | Best Overall |  |
| TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller | Budget Pick |  |
| Rumbleroller Deep-Tissue Massage Roller | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller
Pros:
- No chemical odor
- Easy to use
- Excellent instructional videos online
- Weight capacity
Cons:
- Difficulty to maintain
- Sometimes smaller than expected
- The foam can go flat over time
Foam rollers are used to massage and stretch out tight muscles and inflamed tissue to improve your range of motion.
Choosing the right foam roller for your needs can be confusing. Here are some helpful hints to consider before purchase that may change how you think about foam rollers.
What is foam rolling and how can it help you?
2. TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller
Pros:
- Available in various sizes
- Low cost
- Free online instructional videos
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
- Self-massage tool
- High density foam
These stylish, brightly colored foam rollers have a high-density core that makes them perfect for the swimmer. The soft, smooth material will help with injuries, muscle recovery after a tough workout and will leave you feeling more relaxed.
It comes with the video instructions which are really helpful to reduce the time it takes for you to master the technique. It is also foldable which makes the storage easy.
3. Rumbleroller Deep-Tissue Massage Roller
Pros:
- * Effective and Functional Massage Roller
It is a little bit on the heavy side, but the the rovings are long lasting. This foam roller features cushioned nodes that are easy to use on your tense and aching muscles. It is also very easy to transport a foam roller. That is, just roll it up.
The handle is “very” long, so you won’t have to bend over to reach the low back. It also doubles as a convenient handle for mobility or easy storage. There is enough foam surrounding the handles to prevent any pain or discomfort.
Its length and width of 5"x 18" makes it a versatile foam roller for any part of your body – legs, arms, back, etc. For most people that is enough.
4. Hemp Oil
Pros:
- feels great
- not sticky mess
- not as messy to apply than other creams
Foam rollers for swimmers are great for stretching and relieving tension. The cool thing about foam rollers is they’re fairly cheap.
You can either buy a roller that is made of solid foam or for a little bit more money you can buy a roller covered in knobby bits for your muscles to dig into and do a bit of deep tissue massage.
Massage is really useful to help with recovery from a hard swim workout. But it’s also good for helping to fix and prevent injuries.
5. Jiale Vibrating Foam Roller 4 Speed Rechargeable Firm Foam Roller
Pros:
- Sturdy, even when it is full of water
- Strong vibrations
Cons:
- a little bit of a learning curve when figuring out how best to use the roller
- when full of water it is quite heavy
The Jiale Vibrating Foam Roller has wonderful features that make it a great addition to any swimmer’s workout regime.
Whenever we spied signs saying Don’t go in the water, or Danger! on warning signs outside places like Lake Michigan, my mom would always reassure me, that they were not talking about the lake.
There was a common misconception at that time that suggested the deep, dark lake was haunted by floating spooky heads that would drag you down to the depths and drown you in cold, dark water as you tried to swim back to the surface.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do you use a foam roller for swimming?
A foam roller is a mature tool, and the use of which should come second nature. Still, there are a few general guidelines to follow:
- Use the foam roller on dry, level ground, and avoid flat overuse surfaces.
- Performing a foam roller exercise session prior to exercise protects the muscle, providing relief that can enhance your training performance.
- If you are experiencing severe muscle pain, then sit on the edge of a chair and cross your ankle on your thigh. Let the foam roller rest on your calf as you roll your foot around it. This position will allow you to direct your weight over the injured area.
- You do not have to go any faster than the weight of your body allows; let your natural body pressure provide you with the proprioceptive stimulus you seek to gain.
What do foam rollers help with?
Swim coaches often use foam rollers in a technique called “active isolated stretching”, using the roller to actively increase the range of motion in a swimmers tight and overactive muscles. They also help swimmers release the kinks and knots that form in the back and shoulders from the water resistance and constant churning of the muscles.
Foam rollers are a staple in a swimmer’s routine because they help the swimmer achieve proper body alignment while going through the stroke and the recovery.
The foam rollers help relax muscles that are tight and loosen ones that are over active.
What type of foam roller do I need?
Doing foam roller exercises can improve your balance, flexibility, and efficient movement in every part of your body. You can get the most out of foam rollers by using the right kind, so you’ll want to select the right one based on your activity level.
For example, if you are a power swimmer that swims at least 25 yards a day, the best-suited roller to you is one with harder fiberglass materials. This will help you prepare yourself for the regular pounding and pressure felt in your hip flexors.
On a side note, the softer and more flexible the roller, the gentler it will be on your body. If you fall somewhere in between the two, consider the firmness and flexibility of the foam roller you purchase.
Is it OK to foam roll every day?
Foam rolling can be just as addictive as going for a swim. It is extremely satisfying to roll out your sore muscles each morning. However, it can cause some discomfort or even injury if done too often. It is recommended that you foam roll every other day as excessive use can overwork your muscles.
Foam rolling is a form of self-myofascial release, which is mechanical manipulation of the skeletal system. It has been shown to increase blood flow and decrease post-exercise muscle vibrations. Those vibrations not only induce soreness, but can also increase the risk of injury by overworking muscles.
Conclusion
Choosing the best foam roller for swimming is a matter of having the right information. If you are swimming competitively, then you may want to look at the best foam rollers for competitive swimmers. However if you are a recreational swimmer, or you are a swimmer who just wants to perform better, then this guide is for you.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller | Best Overall | |
| TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller | Budget Pick | |
| Rumbleroller Deep-Tissue Massage Roller | Upgrade Pick | |