Best Foam Rollers in 2022

The first thing you’ll notice about the GRID Foam Roller from TriggerPoint is the camo design. If you’re still with it after that you’re in for a treat because this is an excellent medium density sponge roller whose innovative textured surface provides a range of benefits for those seeking to improve their range of motion or simply work out the kinks after a tough pull-up bar session. The GRID will support up to 500 pounds thanks to its rigid hollow core while the EVA foam shell ensures you’re not punished for your recuperative efforts.

This type of high density foam roller is typically used in response to muscle tightness. In such cases you need a foam roller that will penetrate to the core of the muscle tissue and a soft roller simply won’t get the job done. The AB Round Foam Roller is fashioned from high density expanded polypropylene so it retains its shape regardless of what you put it through in your search for relief. In spite of the density of this roller it’s remarkably light at just over 1.2 pounds which means toting it around is no big deal. Make sure you also check our yoga mats guide for more great items like this.

If we were to use a single word to describe the Original Tiger Tail Massage Stick we’d have to go with “versatile”. This beautifully designed and engineered therapeutic massage stick is a foam roller with a difference. That difference is the dual soft ribbed rubber grips that let you take the therapy where you need it. Where standard foam rollers sometimes leave you twisting yourself into knots to reach out of the way places the Tiger Tail lets you attack them directly. Applying standard density designations is a bit tricky but suffice to say it’s the equivalent of a high density foam roller; just smaller. Be sure to also check our guide to the best knee sleeves.

Sometimes you need to dig in and carve out relief. And sometimes you just need to massage your muscles gently to loosen up before a work out or to get your day off to a good start. The OPTP Pro-Roller Soft Density sponge roller allows you to work out the minor kinks and enjoy the benefits of a low impact massage. This is a classically simple therapeutic device that isn’t going to set the world on fire with its innovative design. But it doesn’t have to. From the closed cell construction and generous diameter to the agreeable surface and durability the OPTP Pro-Roller is a must have item for the physically or fitness active.

This medium density foam roller from Yes4All supports up to 250 pounds and is intended for those times when you need something more than a light rubdown but something less than a Thai-massage-style deep muscle scour. Made in the US with non-toxic materials and available in a variety of lengths this is a high quality basic foam roller with myriad applications. While the company boast about their material being ‘heavier’ than that used by the competition don’t let that fool you. The 18 inch version weighs a scant 6 ounces. You may also like some of these cool muscle recovery tools from our list, so check them out.

Rolling With It have produced a fine, minimalist workout aid in their Foam Roller. It’s simple, unadorned construction uses recycled/recyclable medium-density EVA foam that’s non-porous so it won’t soak up your sweat and sports a smooth surface that brings firm but gentle force to bear on your aching muscles. There are no mysteries here except perhaps how to utilize such a device in order to optimize your results. And to that end Rolling With It provide a complementary guide and tutorial with every roller. Make sure you also check our guide to the best back braces.

Nothing fancy here, just a simple and effective high density foam roller from LuxFit that provides the firmness you need to iron out the kinks. The LuxFit Premium High Density Foam Roller is aimed squarely at those who need to apply firm, even pressure to tight muscles in order to work out knots and bring them back online before leaving the club or leaving the house. In spite of the solid feel of the roller it tips the scales at a trim 7 ounces. The 18 inch version will set you back about the price of a T-shirt and provide the kind of long term benefits that define value. You may also be interested in some of the best muscle rubs from our list. Check them out.

Like the LuxFit the OPTP AXIS Foam Roller is pure high-density simplicity that brings the relief for overworked crossfitters, runners, weight lifters, dancers, those working with resistance bands and more. Constructed from high-density, high-quality EPP foam the AXIS is nimble enough to hit all the trouble spots and well made enough to return to its original shape time after time. The AXIS is heat molded to ensure it doesn’t lose structural integrity or otherwise breakdown no matter how hard you push it. And the surface won’t absorb your sweat and cleans up easy when you’re done.

The last item on our list is the Gaiam Restore Foam Roller. This is another ultra-simple, affordable sponge roller that works overtime to reach those areas deep inside your muscles that resist soft foam rollers. There’s no magic here just a well-made 6” diameter molded polypropylene roller that won’t crack, flatten out or chip, even during the heaviest workout. Relieve stress and strain on your lower back, increase circulation in your legs and hit all your trigger points effectively with the Gaiam Restore Foam Roller.

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The 321 STRONG Foam Roller is one of the best rollers for giving yourself a trigger point massage. The surface is covered in different-shaped 3D massage zones, designed to mimic the fingers and thumbs of a real masseuse. Using just your body weight, these 3D zones can penetrate the soft tissue layer of your muscles, releasing tension, and increasing flexibility. The roller is made out of EVA, a soft and flexible plastic known for its durability. At 12.75” x 5.25”, this is one of the more compact rollers on the market, making it perfect for home use. It’s also available in 14 different colors. 

Next up, we’ve got The Ultimate Back Roller. If you suffer from any sort of back issues, this product could change your life. With the large hole in the center and thin surface, it looks completely different from the other rollers on this list. This is because it’s designed, by a chiropractor, to enhance spinal extension, mobility, and flexibility. It’s made from EVA molded foam and can support an impressive maximum weight of 1000 pounds. The surface has a staggered bump pattern that is designed to work the knots in your back. In short, if you have back pain, this foam roller will provide the relief you need.