Anyone ever make their own roller / foam roller?

[marmasatt]

So I got this idea, thought it was somewhat original and began to google it. Then after the humility stick smacked me in the face and told me how much of an idiot I was for thinking I'm creative - I've now set out on my mission.

Spring time is almost here and I'm going to start running again. I play soccer 3 days a week but when I start running in the spring, I get classic hammie, pririformins, ITB, and hip flexor issues. And as I've never tried a roller before with any regularity I was thinking of buying one. After seeing prices for like $40/$50 for what I want, I think I'm going to try making one.

Anyone have any advice? Is a a yoga mat the best protection? I kind of would like to make something with a little knobby for trigger points but I don't know what the heck I would use.

Thoughts?

http://jaimeesallthatglitters.blogspot.com/2010/08/make-your-own-foam-roller.html

 

[Pantlegz]

Just get a bit of 4" pvc pipe and call it good. Adding foam increases the cost to the point that it makes more sense to just buy one.

 

[darkxshade]

What foam roller are you trying to buy that's in the $40/$50 dollar range that you believe you can make that's equivalently as good when there are ones on Amazon for $20 or less that are more comparable?

 

[marmasatt]

Oh I don't know. I kind of like the looks and feel of these or similar:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/23539914?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227017115310&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=35641815876&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=50587678116&veh=sem

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=19614266&locale=en_US&clickid=prod_cs&recid=Product_PageElement_product_rr_5_693

 

[momeNt]

PVC pipe is a good idea. Just regulate the pressure with your own weight and force that you put into it. Anything with foam you'll eventually need to get firmer, but you can achieve the same results with something very firm and regulating the pressure on your tissues yourself.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Making your own (per the link) is about the equivalent of The Grid, at least in terms of how intense it will be on your body. The cost savings is about negated if you have to buy PVC and a yoga mat. If you already have both laying around, go for it. Otherwise, it makes zero sense to go buy the raw materials and come out with a subpar product (with seams that will eventually come apart) for essentially the same cost as a new one.

You also said a critical thing - you've never used a foam roller before. Most n00bs I've seen have difficulty with pain tolerance on a straight foam roller, muchless a roller that's a bit more intense like The Grid or the Rumble Roller. I normally have my runners start out on a straight foam, get used to it, and once it essentially "falls apart", upgrading to a better one. It's nothing against you personally, but few beginners have the tolerance to handle TG/RR unless they're truly dedicated and roll out daily, willing to put up with it.

You can utilize your other leg and upper body to help offset your body weight and make it a bit more tolerable. If you must/want to go for the gold to begin with, grab The Grid - you can get it for $34 at RunningWarehouse using code "BEERD". (15% off)

http://www.runningwarehouse.com/Trigger_Point_Grid_Foam_Roller/descpage-TRIGPG.html

 

[surfsatwerk]

I have used PVC and an $80 rumble roller and imo the rumble roller was worth the price.

 

[Pantlegz]

I agree the rumble roller is well worth it. I just got one earlier this week and I love it.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

use a tennis ball

 

[deadken]

Ok, so I too always thought that foam rollers were way overpriced. I too have thought that maybe one of those swimming noodles with a section of PVC tubing in the center would be way cheaper, do the same job, and give the flexibility to find the right size. Of course, I've never used a foam roller.

So, I gotta ask, before I splurge on one of those trigger point foam rollers with the %15 off, should I just buy the 26" long one to start? I'd hate to buy a short one and then find out that I really could use the longer one. I don't travel or go to a gym, so I don't see how having the smaller one wouldn't benefit me. Of course, if I found the longer one to be a hassle, I'd think I could cut it shorter with minimal problems.

Any suggestions from the guys who use them?
BTW: I'm a runner, so I'm thinking ITB, calves, and quads to start with. But, I'm thinking that the longer one could be great for my back.

This is the one I'm thinking of getting instead of the 13" one:
http://www.runningwarehouse.com/Trigger_Point_Grid_20_Foam_Roller/descpage-TPGR2.html

EDIT: Ughh... Of course the coupon code given above (BEERD) doesn't work. It says it's valid (after the redeem button is pressed), but it doesn't affect the price. So, I did a google search and found a %10 off code 'runblog10'. Of course it doesn't work either (again, after it says it is valid). FWIW: The site that I found with the coupon codes stated that the BEERD code was valid for clearance items while the runblog10 code was valid for all items.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Ok, so I too always thought that foam rollers were way overpriced. I too have thought that maybe one of those swimming noodles with a section of PVC tubing in the center would be way cheaper, do the same job, and give the flexibility to find the right size. Of course, I've never used a foam roller.

So, I gotta ask, before I splurge on one of those trigger point foam rollers with the %15 off, should I just buy the 26" long one to start? I'd hate to buy a short one and then find out that I really could use the longer one. I don't travel or go to a gym, so I don't see how having the smaller one wouldn't benefit me. Of course, if I found the longer one to be a hassle, I'd think I could cut it shorter with minimal problems.

Any suggestions from the guys who use them?
BTW: I'm a runner, so I'm thinking ITB, calves, and quads to start with. But, I'm thinking that the longer one could be great for my back.

This is the one I'm thinking of getting instead of the 13" one:
http://www.runningwarehouse.com/Trigger_Point_Grid_20_Foam_Roller/descpage-TPGR2.html

EDIT: Ughh... Of course the coupon code given above (BEERD) doesn't work. It says it's valid (after the redeem button is pressed), but it doesn't affect the price. So, I did a google search and found a %10 off code 'runblog10'. Of course it doesn't work either (again, after it says it is valid). FWIW: The site that I found with the coupon codes stated that the BEERD code was valid for clearance items while the runblog10 code was valid for all items.

dk - I've never understood the point of the long 26" ones. It's meant to do both legs at one time (IE, both quads, hamstrings, calves) but you minimize the effectiveness and weight/pressure doing both legs at once. The one previously linked to works just fine - I've had one for years now and roll out daily on it, one side at a time.

I'm also a runner and roll out the entire body - lower/upper back, glutes, hams/calves, quads, inner leg, ITB, and hips. I'll use massage balls to help roll out the chest.

For the promo code - BEERD is my running group's code. It along with the other one may not be valid on certain categories of items, so that one is my bad for not trying it. BEERD is not valid only for clearance items, I can guarantee you that much. (Whatever site told you that is crap) Given that, you might try it at your local store vs a normal foam roller and see which one is more suitable for you at this given time. Looks like most stores sell it at MSRP too, so no benefit in ordering off of RW.

 

[marmasatt]

Thanks for the feedback. I may just start w/ a $10 piece of PVC...

 

[killster1]

Pvc and yoga matt..hmmm ouch have both real foam roller, gf sat on it and now its ruined.. shes only 100 pounds but sitting on just foam roller was not great idea. The pvc foam mat cost me umm 15 bux i guess and is very hard but will last forever. I will buy real one now thinking about it