Published : 10/20/2021

Foam roller: Brought to the trigger point!

- Categories : Fitness equipment for building fitness and strength , Fitness topics - Questions and answers from the experts

They are called fascia rollers, foam rollers, fitness rollers, hard foam rollers and are special mass rollers that specifically trigger certain body parts during fascia training. Some are grooved, some have nubs, and some have a smooth surface. Sometimes they are just black or they come in different colors. No matter your goal with trigger point therapy, manufacturers like Blackroll, Trigger Point, Stil-Fit or Fitwood guarantee a frictionless workout. How to safely and effectively complete fascia training and why the rollers are indispensable in sports and fitness, you can learn here.

Fascia training - what use it is to trigger points?

Fascia training, also called Self Myofascial Release describes the release of adhesions between muscle skin and muscle fiber bundle, which limit mobility and reduce athletic performance and quality of life. The self-massage during fascia training is perfect for regeneration, as with the hard foam rollers, tension, stiffness and connective tissue adhesions are released. In addition, the Foam Roller workout stimulates blood circulation, the connective tissue is kept supple and scar tissue is broken down. Even if its use takes some getting used to at first, regular use improves the structure of the muscles and connective tissue.

How does myofacial pain develop?

Myofacial pain is the most common cause of chronic pain. This discomfort is caused by physical overload, high athletic exertion or poor posture and the resulting lack of oxygen. Characteristic of myofascial pain are the so-called trigger points. These are small points distributed over the body within a muscle fiber bundle, where pain is triggered by pressure and radiated to other parts of the body. Physical therapists use, among other treatment methods, fascia rolls in manual trigger point therapy. It is important not to use the Foamroller only when you feel pain. But use the massage roller also for prevention, regeneration and performance enhancement.

How does fascial training with foam rollers work?

Trigger Point Therapy focuses on specific muscle points and works by reducing tension as well as adhesions in the connective tissue and stimulating blood circulation. With the help of the Foam Roller, the affected areas, called "fasciae", can be specifically treated by using only one's own body weight and without the use of hands or third parties, even hard-to-reach muscle groups can be treated. The function of the fasciae is to protect the body and act as shock absorbers. Back pain and joint discomfort, which are particularly produced in everyday life by incorrect posture, are reduced or completely eliminated by the trigger point treatment.

Fitness Tip Trigger point treatment of the muscles concerned before fitness training, provides them with oxygen and thus leads to an increase in performance. If the fascia roller is used after the workout, this leads to relaxation and regeneration of the muscles concerned.

Exercises with the Foam Roller - so you trigger properly!

For a regenerative fascia training, the hard foam roller is positioned under the target muscle and the body is slowly moved back and forth over the roller for one to two minutes. Pause briefly at pain points until the pain subsides. Try doing three to four workouts a week and you will feel a change after just four weeks.

GRID X by Trigger Point: massage and core training in one product

The completely newly developed GRID X by Trigger Point is the perfect tool for a myofascial self-massage. Compared to previous GRID models, GRID X has twice as hard a surface, allowing for more intensive treatment of fascial tissue. The surface is crisscrossed by a grid of depressions at various intervals. This structure mimics the physical condition of the human hand and ensures an optimal Self Myofascial Release treatment. This innovative design allows you to change the intensity level simply by repositioning the Foam Roller. In addition, the GRID X can withstand loads up to 250 kg and is even easier to clean thanks to the new surface finish. The hard inner roller even allows core workouts, where the grid is completely loaded.

Fascia rollers in abundance

In the Shark Fitness Onlineshop you will find a large selection of high quality foam rollers. Want to buy a fascia roller, but unsure which one suits you best? Our experts would be happy to help you find the ideal fitness roller for you. Contact us or visit us at the Shark fitness store in Wettingen or Wil (SG).