more hardcore foam roller

robertscott · Post by **robertscott** » Mon Nov 29, 2010 12:01 pm

I need something like a foam roller but much harder. My gym has a bit of plastic pipe which is perfect but I have no idea what kind of plastic I'd need to get or how thick it would need to be.

If anyone has any ideas I'd love to hear them

KPj · Post by **KPj** » Mon Nov 29, 2010 12:18 pm

Between me and my training partners, we have, 2, 3, and 4 inch PVC pipes. The 4 inch PVC is your standard waste pipe used in toilets.

One training partner is a joiner, so he steals them off plumbers.

If you go somewhere like B & Q you'll need to buy a whole length but it's not expensive.

The thinner it is the more brutal it is.

We also use the pipes for "board pressing".

KPj

robertscott · Post by **robertscott** » Mon Nov 29, 2010 1:46 pm

thanks man, if only I knew where the hell my nearest B&Q was, there must be one somewhere in Glasgow

Post by **stuward** » Mon Nov 29, 2010 2:00 pm

robertscott wrote:thanks man, if only I knew where the hell my nearest B&Q was, there must be one somewhere in Glasgow

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=B%26Q+glasgow

hoosegow · Post by **hoosegow** » Mon Nov 29, 2010 2:07 pm

Use a medicine ball instead of a foam roller. You will hate me for this suggestion.

rje · Post by **rje** » Tue Nov 30, 2010 9:17 am

PVC pipe works OK if you just roll the muscle bellies, but it isn't flexible enough to conform to many areas of the body, such as around spinal processes and muscle attachments, where adhesions tend to accumulate. It high-centers on the bony areas and doesn't put enough pressure on the low spots. A medicine ball works too, but a smaller diameter ball -- e.g. a lacrosse ball -- will do better. Best of all, if you can afford it, is the RumbleRoller: www.rumbleroller.com. It feels softer than the pipe, but is more aggressive at manipulating the muscle tissue.

robertscott · Post by **robertscott** » Tue Nov 30, 2010 9:51 am

stuward wrote:
robertscott wrote:thanks man, if only I knew where the hell my nearest B&Q was, there must be one somewhere in Glasgow
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=B%26Q+glasgow

don't be such a smart arse!

robertscott · Post by **robertscott** » Tue Nov 30, 2010 9:53 am

well I checked out the rumble roller, looks... interesting.

I think I'll still go with the PVC pipe, i can get myself into position where it hits everywhere i want it to hit.

I do sometimes use a medecine ball, but it doesn't hit my lower back the way I'd like. Brutal for doing your upper back though!

Post by **stuward** » Tue Nov 30, 2010 9:56 am

robertscott wrote:
stuward wrote:
robertscott wrote:thanks man, if only I knew where the hell my nearest B&Q was, there must be one somewhere in Glasgow
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=B%26Q+glasgow
don't be such a smart arse!

You were asking for it. :)