Foam Roll for Bridges and Stretching the Legs

Sharing a tidbit that I recently shared with my group:

My new trainer has me using a foam roll for elevated bridges. They are really tough and much more focused on your hamstrings and gluts.

It is also an amazing tool to stretch your legs. I lie on it face down, with the roll under my quads. You should not roll - according to my trainer - but try to relax in one spot, then move on to the next. It hurts at first, but it ultimately is like a deep tissue massage. My legs are FINALLY losing that constantly fatigued feeling (from so much spinning) and I think it's from this kind of stretching. Wow.

A picture of the foam roll is linked below.

Link

Thu. Apr 6, 9:18am

thanks for the link. my old trainer/ gym had these and the pain of "rolling" the muscles was so worth it! i never knew where to buy...

Thursday, April 6, 2006, 10:06 AM

It HURTS like the dickens!!!!
But I do agree they're great. ;)

Saturday, April 8, 2006, 11:14 AM

Thanks for the link :)

Saturday, April 8, 2006, 11:31 AM

can i roll up a towel and use it the same way for the same /almost the same effect? thanks!

Thursday, September 28, 2006, 3:38 PM

OT- when you use these for bridges, are you placing your feet on the roll? Is it harder than doing bridges with your feet up on a stability ball? Thanks.

Thursday, September 28, 2006, 4:39 PM

There's a pilates book called Pilates Props Workbook by Ellie Herman's - one of the props is the foam roll and there's 10 exercises in the book including the one the OP mentioned - elevated bridges. I have yet to buy a foam roll and try them out, though!!!

Thursday, September 28, 2006, 7:40 PM

A towel will not work the same way for the massage use, the foam is tougher on the muscle fibers and gives you a deep tissue type massage.

Thursday, September 28, 2006, 9:39 PM

i have one of these and my PT made me roll slowly over it for massaging the IT band (which gets tight from running).

worked great, and hurt so bad i wanted to cry. but really, that foam rod works wonders.

Friday, September 29, 2006, 2:48 AM

great feedback ! thanks !

Friday, September 29, 2006, 9:09 AM

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