In the fitness world, the foam roller is a popular accessory to use during the stretching portion of a workout — it can help improve muscle length and joint motion, according to the American Council on Exercise (ACE). And the benefits are not just limited to workouts, either: You can also use a foam roller to relieve muscle tension and soreness after hours of sitting during work or stress on the job.
Foam rolling is a type of treatment that helps speed up recovery from muscle soreness and tightness. They’re a popular tool for self-myofascial release, which is a deep-tissue massage that can help with breaking up myofascial adhesions, or trigger points, says John Gallucci Jr., a physical therapist and CEO of JAG-ONE Physical Therapy. This technique is essentially a “cost-effective way to give yourself a deep tissue massage before or after a workout,” he says.
But how exactly do foam rollers work and which one should you buy? We consulted personal trainers, physical therapists and chiropractors to discuss how to safely use and shop for a foam roller and highlighted their recommendations for some of the best foam rollers to buy now.
SKIP AHEAD The best foam rollers | How to shop for a foam roller
The best foam rollers in 2024
To help you determine the best foam roller for your needs, we talked to our experts about the different sizes, density levels and textures of foam rollers, who should use them and how to shop for them. We also highlight their recommendations for the best foam rollers to buy based on various use cases and experience levels.
Lululemon Double Roller
The Lululemon Double Roller is our Wellness Award winner for best foam roller, thanks to its versatility — housed within the larger foam roller is an interior roller with a deeper ridge design, which our editors love. The exterior roller is best for use on arms and legs, while the interior roller is ideal for back tension, according to the brand. NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio says that the ridges help to ease tension in her legs, back and shoulders. “It’s very lightweight, she adds, “so I can take it on-the-go when I need it.”
LuxFit Foam Roller
Conrad recommends the LuxFit Foam Roller due to its durability. “Many foam rollers seem to wear down after using them a few times, but the Luxfit one is more durable for repeated use,” he says, adding that its density is “good for large muscle groups like the hamstrings and quadricep muscles.” Its smooth surface also repels liquid for peace of mind while working out, according to the brand. It’s available to purchase in four lengths: 12 inches, 18 inches, 24 inches and 36 inches.
TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller
The TriggerPoint GRID roller is a good option for athletes, according to Conrad. The brand says it has a hollow center that makes it flexible enough to move with your body and a firm, contoured design that can withstand up to 500 pounds of pressure. Due to the firmness and ridges on the roller, Conrad doesn’t recommend it for beginners. This model comes in several sizes and in various colors like Pink, Mint and Orange.
Tiger Tail 18in Massage Stick Portable Roller
This option from Tiger Tail features non-slip grip handles on either side that can help you guide the roller exactly where you’re targeting and “allow [it] to glide back and forth on the muscle with good stability and pressure,” says Conrad. Because of its firmer feel, this roller can be an effective option for soothing tight thighs, hamstrings and quadriceps, as well as pinpointing stubborn sore muscle areas and “getting rid of chronic muscle tightness,” he adds. The Tiger Tail Massage Stick comes in three sizes: 11 inches, 18 inches and 22 inches.
PB Elite 6″ Soft Round Molded Foam Roller
This roller is longer, flatter and less dense than some other types of rollers, making it a great option if you’re new to foam rolling, according to Kristina Jennings, a certified strength and conditioning specialist and performance coach with the fitness training app Masters. She also says the softer texture can be good for people hoping to apply less pressure to affected areas. You can purchase this roller in 18-inch or 36-inch sizes.
Rollga ISO Roller
“If you’re looking to add more pressure to the muscles, using a roller with edges and grooves can provide more intensity,” says Jennings. She recommends this one from Rollga, which features multiple grooves designed to provide a contoured fit to the body and make it easier to target trigger points, according to the brand. It’s also made from professional-grade EPP foam, which can hold more than 2,000 pounds, according to the brand.
Rumble Roller 31″X6″ Foam Roller
The Rumble Roller, also a recommendation from Jennings, is a firm textured roller with flexible bumps that continuously knead the affected areas of your body, according to the brand. The bumps are less than two inches apart, so multiple bumps can make contact with your body simultaneously and provide massaging pressure. The brand also boasts that the nonporous surface is latex-free, water-resistant and repels dirt.
Amazon Basics High-Density Round Foam Roller
If you’re looking for a more affordable foam roller, this one from Amazon Basics has a flat surface that can provide gentler pressure, making it “a good place to start for someone new to foam rolling,” according to Jennings. It comes in sizes ranging from 18 inches up to 36 inches — with the longer length, you can “work on larger body areas like the hamstrings and back of both of your legs,” says Conrad.
How to shop for a foam roller
Foam rollers come in various sizes and densities, so choosing one that’s right for you can be crucial to safe and effective sessions.
- Size: When shopping for a foam roller, make sure you’re choosing the right size and shape for the body part you are targeting. According to Gallucci, a long roller can be used for many different body parts, like your back and legs, while shorter ones should be used when targeting smaller areas, such as the calves or arms.
- Density: If you’re just starting out, experts recommend choosing a softer roller, which uses less pressure and gives your muscles a chance to adapt. Gradually, you can progress to a denser roller. The easiest way to test the density is to squeeze the roller, though “rollers are sometimes color coded with the lighter colors being softer and the darker colors being the hardest,” says Gallucci.
- Texture: A beginner would likely benefit from a smooth roller with no texture in order to “provide for even pressure across the entire length of the roller,” says Gallucci. Textured rollers that usually have ridges and knobs can create “a more targeted massage to break up adhesions in the muscle” and are better for more experienced rollers, he adds.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- John Gallucci Jr. is a physical therapist and CEO of JAG-ONE Physical Therapy.
- Allen Conrad is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and the owner of Montgomery County Chiropractic Center.
- Kristina Jennings is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and performance coach with the fitness training app Masters
Why trust NBC Select?
Mili Godio is an updates editor at NBC Select who has written a variety of articles across skin care, wellness, home and kitchen and more. Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter at NBC Select who covers skin care, wellness, gardening and more. For this article, they spoke with three fitness experts about what to look for when shopping for the best foam rollers, including recommendations on their favorite products.
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