To dig in deeper, I reached out to Chloe Costigan, D.P.T., co-owner of Bethlehem, Pa.-based Mobility Doc. Costigan has treated me over the years for various niggles. Foam rolling is always a part of her treatment and prevention plan (and it works!) According to Costigan, the most important thing you should look for in a foam roller is firmness. The Best Foam Rollers The best vibrating foam rollers can be used before or after your training. If you roll your muscles before you train, it helps relieve any tension that might still be in your body from the previous day’s workout. The stimulation sends oxygen to your muscles, which can enhance performance but also help to prevent injury. It also releases tension, preparing your body for what’s to come. Using your vibrating foam roller after a workout can be a relaxing, sports-massage-like exercise. It releases tension produced from your workout, which in turn lowers stress hormone levels. In addition to using your vibrating foam roller in the context of a workout, it can also be used whenever you are experiencing muscle pain. What Are the Best Vibrating Foam Rollers? Ah, the foam roller. It is both savior—and arch enemy—of runners all over the globe. Using a foam roller before a run can serve as a dynamic warmup to help to increase circulation, loosen tight spots, and prime your body to move. After a workout it can reduce muscle tightness and lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. But it can also be a bit of a torture device that causes pain as it seeks to relieve it. For newbies, a too-firm foam roller may feel like a torture device. Digging into sore muscles after a tough workout session takes some getting used to which is why the firmness of a foam roller determines how much oh-so-good pain you are willing to handle. If you’re new to foam rolling, your body will probably want to ease into it, but that doesn’t mean you need a soft roller. Instead, Costigan recommends a hybrid type roller like the TriggerPoint, which has a soft exterior and a firm interior.

For the foam rollers included, various textures and surface constructions were considered—nodules, protrusions, channels, and grooves designed specifically for deep-tissue work as well as extras like heat or vibration. Each roller’s intensity was also evaluated on a 1-to-5 scale based on its firmness, with 1 being the most intense. For legs, Costigan loves a PVC pipe roller option, like this model. “If you want something a bit more intense, the PVC roller is great for the legs, but it’s a little too firm for the spine in most cases,” she says. For those just getting started with foam rolling, it’s hard to go wrong with this model from OPTP. The company makes some of the professional-grade rollers you’ll see in a PT’s office, clinics, gyms, and yoga studios. That means they are made of durable quality EVA to withstand constant repeated daily use from dozens of people. When it comes to working out, it’s not surprising that the most emphasis gets put on the athletic event itself – be it running, practicing yoga, or lifting. However, incorporating a stretching and recovery practice into your routine is just as important, if you want to reap the most benefits from your training. Vibrating rollers are easy-to-use tools that work to improve your range of motion, flexibility, and mobility as well as reduce soreness in your muscles. How Does a Vibrating Roller Work?Like firmness, the texture of a roller will determine the level of intensity. This can range from a perfectly smooth (gentler) surface to a spiky (really intense) one—reminiscent of a Medieval torture device, Costigan notes. A smooth roller, she explains, is the most tolerable because you’re focusing solely on the pressure of the roller. The change in texture allows you to target the connective tissue specifically. Made from smooth-surface, hypo-allergenic, high-density foam, the 12-inch Theragun Wave Roller offers premium confront and support for both pro and everyday athletes. Designed to provide you with all of the benefits of foam rolling, this vibrating foam roller stands out for its Bluetooth technology. What that means: the roller syncs up with the Therabody app, which has a variety of pre-programmed routines for you to choose from, all with their own speed control. The Theragun Wave Roller has a three-hour battery life and is rechargeable. From 'Ted Lasso' to 'The Morning Show,' Here's What to Watch on Apple TV+ (and How to Stream it Free)

Ever hear of the phrase “an oldie but a goodie?” This is it. If you’ve been to a physical therapist’s office, you’ve likely seen a Trigger Point. And for good reason—they last. The multi-density exterior foam covers a rigid, hollow core which means that the roller retains its shape even with heavy use over many years. If you’re drawn to the promise of having a high-quality sports massage at your everyday disposal, this is the best vibrating foam roller for you. Maybe you saw this unique foam roller when former NFL tight end Nate Lawrie and his business partner Tom Hopkins pitched it on ABC’s Shark Tank in late 2017. The show’s investors were so impressed with the design and concept that they fought over the opportunity to bring it to market. Some rollers, including TriggerPoint (Costigan’s go-to roller for herself and her patients) have nubs and ridges that can help smooth out the connective tissue more effectively while still being tolerable,” she says. It is also easy to collapse and expand it. Simply tug on two tabs to pop it out then push on the ends to close it up. Both actions require minimal effort (key because there is no energy or patience for anything inconvenient after a long run).When you want to work out sore quads and calves without getting down on the ground and using your body weight, the Tiger Tail is the best tool for the job. It has comfy rubber grips that won’t shift in your hands as you press hard into sore muscles. It’s long and lightweight, and easy to angle into any part of the body. And the foam cover is just cushioned enough that you can really dig in without unnecessary suffering. In addition to the ergonomic groove, this vibrating roller is also designed with protruding gel knobs that provide the feeling of human thumbs working your sore muscles. And three different speeds let you find the intensity that’s right for you. The roller measures 13 inches and has a three-hour battery life – which can be recharged. With four different vibration settings, this roller provides a high-intensity therapeutic vibration massage that can be incorporated into your physical therapy or workout routine. The surface of this foam roller has a gentle rise and fall, which works at your muscles while still being soothing. It reaches your deep tissues, facilitating your recovery and relief. Runners will probably focus much of their foam rolling on their legs, understandably. According to physical therapy assistant Brian Clarkson, a smooth surface is probably most important for large muscle groups thanks to its ability to warm up the whole muscle before a workout. Finding the best vibrating foam roller will depend on what kind of training you are doing and what sort of features make you the most comfortable. The surface texture of a vibrating foam roller will differ from brand to brand. Some people with very tender muscles may want smooth foam, while others will opt for rollers with ergonomic, protruding knobs. Some models fall somewhere in between those two texture extremes, which offer a versatile experience. Other things to consider are the roller’s length, battery life, and vibration speed. 1. Theragun Wave Roller