Looking to relieve lower back pain, recover from a knee injury, or just in need of a good stretch after a workout? Foam roller exercises can help with all of these issues, plus they have added benefits like promoting blood flow to your muscles - always a bonus for runners, cyclists, gym buffs and CrossFit fans.
To help you decide which size and style of roller is right for you, we've compared products from Amazon UK, eBay and Argos before selecting the 10 best to buy online. Whether you're after a vibrating product to soothe tired legs, a firm roller for deep tissue massage or something for a beginners yoga or pilates class, you'll find your perfect product on our list. Let's get rolling!
Quick List - Top Foam Rollers
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Low-density foam rollers are a great choice for beginners, as they're the softest type. This means that they provide a much more gentle massage - ideal for those with sore or sensitive muscles!
They're also suitable for stretching or light physiotherapy exercises, so you might want to consider buying this type of foam roller to help increase your range of motion or improve flexibility.
Medium or standard-density foam rollers can be used for a range of activities, from range-of-motion exercise to self-massage. Since they're not too hard, they provide just the right amount of firmness to allow for a deeper massage without being too intense or painful.
Since it's a good all-rounder, we recommend picking up a medium-density foam roller if you plan to self-massage regularly both pre and post-workout. However, if you're looking for a high intensity massage to target muscle tension, this may not be the right choice for you
As high-density foam rollers provide the most resistance, they're best suited to those who train rigorously or have prior experience with foam rolling. Unlike other types of foam rollers, they are less yielding and require more balance to use.
They're perfect if you require a more intense deep tissue massage, as they'll put plenty of pressure on the desired area. If you are new to foam rollers, this might not be the best place to start, as incorrect use could lead to injury.
For more massage products to help with muscle tension, try our 10 best massage oils
Foam rollers come in a variety of textures, each of which provides a different kind of massage experience. Texture can even be used to create a multi-density surface by combining firm, raised sections with smooth, low-density areas for those who like a mix of massage styles.
A smooth-textured roller is fine for everyday post-workout massage, but if you prefer a deep tissue massage, we recommend a roller covered in multiple raised nodules and nodes to help release knots. Triangular spikes or peaks are perfect for trigger point therapy, as they really dig in to tackle muscle tightness!
The spacing of the texture is equally as important for getting the best possible massage. Close-knit textures are preferable for lymphatic draining massage, whereas wide-spaced nodes are better for working out knots.
A shorter foam roller will be easier to carry with you to the gym. However, you'll want to think about how you plan to use it on your body too. Some lengths are better suited to particular body parts, but average-sized foam rollers of around 30-45 cm are the most versatile option as they can be used on your arms, legs, and along your torso.
Longer rollers of up to 90 cm are convenient for use on your back. You can lie parallel with them to practice core exercises or place them at a perpendicular angle to massage away back pain.
For a more targeted massage, though, you'll want to try a shorter foam roller of under 30 cm or even a mini roller which is under 20 cm. These will allow you to focus on a specific area of pain or discomfort.
For more help alleviating back pain, check out our favourite back massagers!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Maximo Soft Foam Roller - Green/White | ![]() | A Light, Gentle Roller Perfect for Yoga or Pilates Practice | |
2 | Core Balance High-Density Foam Roller | ![]() | An Extra Firm Roller You Can Also Use for Training Your Core | |
3 | OPTI Vibrating Foam Roller | ![]() | With Soothing Vibrations Ideal for Post-Workout Relief | |
4 | 66Fit Eva Foam Roller | ![]() | Provides Gentle Stimulation for Injury Recovery or Sensitive Muscles | |
5 | BackBaller Muscle Baller | ![]() | A Customisable, Easy-to-Use Option Suitable for All Abilities | |
6 | PhysiQue Pro Foam Roller | ![]() | Great for Runners and Cyclists Wanting to Ease Heel and Ankle Pain | |
7 | Acumobility The Ultimate Back Roller | ![]() | A Roller to Tackle Back Pain Quickly and Effortlessly | |
8 | Epitomie Fitness Extreme Foam Roller - Fire Red | ![]() | An Advanced Tool That Penetrates Deep Into the Muscles | |
9 | Trigger Point Performance Grid Mini Foam Roller - Pink | ![]() | The Best Foam Roller for Targeted Pain Relief | |
10 | FX FFEXS Deep Tissue Foam Roller | ![]() | An Affordable, Versatile and Beginner-Friendly Pick |
Maximo's soft, simple foam roller is lightweight enough to slip into your gym bag. If you enjoy yoga or pilates and want to incorporate foam rolling into your practice, this product provides just the right amount of resistance. You can even use it instead of a yoga block to help modify your asanas poses.
We recommend this foam roller for light myofascial release only, so if you require a more intensive massage then it sadly won't be the right one for you.
Core Balance's High-Density Foam Roller is ideal for training balance and core stability. It's made from extra-firm EPP foam which fully supports your body weight without losing its shape. So if you're looking to add a bit of difficulty to your V sit or perfect your plank, this is the product for you!
If you plan on performing static exercises though, you should proceed with some caution due to the smooth texture. Before you begin, put down a mat or a towel to create friction between the roller and the floor - this will prevent it from slipping or rolling away mid-workout!
If you regularly experience tension, check out this vibrating foam roller from OPTI. The vibrations help to relax your muscles by repeatedly pressing on soft tissue in fast up-and-down motions, stimulating the body's parasympathetic system.
This product can be used with the vibration function on or off, so you can adapt it to your needs. Between uses, it's charged via a mains adapter - this means you don't have to worry about batteries or tangled wires!
66Fit's low-density foam roller is a great option if you have particularly sensitive or sore muscles. For those recovering from injury, the product's smooth texture and mild resistance level provide just the right amount of stimulation for gentle pain relief.
Best of all, this product is available in a range of sizes! We recommend either the 30 or 45 cm options for use on your arms and legs, or the 90 cm variation for rolling along your back.
High-density foam rollers require a lot of balance which may cause issues for some people due to their age or fitness level. To make things easier for you, the Muscle Baller can be comfortably used while sitting or lying down for assisted foam rolling. It can even be wall-mounted so you can roll your back while standing!
We love the fact that this product comes with two interchangeable rollers that have different textures. This means you can choose between deep tissue or gentle massage, depending on how you're feeling each day.
Runners and cyclists will be well aware of the dreaded pain known as plantar fasciitis! As the plantar fascia connects your heel bone to your toes, any inflammation in this area can leave you with stabbing pain that lasts for days.
PhysiQue's Pro Foam Roller is designed to help you get back up and running as quickly as possible. The semi-cylinder shape is terrific for reaching right under the ankle or heel, and it can even be used as a prop for banded foot exercises!
With a name like "The Ultimate Back Roller" this product certainly has a lot to live up to - luckily, it doesn't disappoint! If you've been searching for something to tackle back pain, you'll seriously love what this roller has to offer.
Capable of supporting up to 450 kg, it provides a superb stretch along your spine without sinking or sagging. Although this product is certainly on the expensive side, we think it's worth every penny!
Epitomie Fitness' Extreme Foam Roller is not for the faint of heart! One of the best products out there for hardcore deep tissue and trigger point massage, it has large triangular peaks that are capable of penetrating right down into your muscles to work out stubborn knots and built up tension.
This product is a fantastic option if you're into powerlifitng, rugby, or combat sports. Just make sure to use it sparingly alongside other recovery aids or techniques in order to prevent further injury or bruising!
Trigger Point Performance's mini foam roller is our top recommendation for targeted pain relief. If you've got leg pain, you can even massage it up into the hip to help loosen tight muscles all the way down to the knee.
At 10 cm, it's small enough to be easily manoeuvred into place to fix any problem! Plus it won't be too big for your gym bag, so it's a great product for those who like to keep fit on the go.
If you're seriously looking into adding foam rolling to your workout routine, this multi-density product from FX FFEXS is a great place to start. It's extremely versatile, so you can use it across any part of your body to warm up, cool down, or simply massage. We also love that the various textures mimic the feeling of a real massage therapist.
Best of all, this product is inexpensive, available in a range of different colours, and it even comes with a free exercise guide to help you ease into the world of foam rolling. What more could you ask for?
There are many different exercises you can do with a foam roller, each involvingapplying pressure to specific areas of the body. To get started, here are some tips:
No. 1: Maximo|Soft Foam Roller - Green/White
No. 2: Core Balance|High-Density Foam Roller
No. 3: OPTI |Vibrating Foam Roller
No. 4: 66Fit|Eva Foam Roller
No. 5: BackBaller|Muscle Baller
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