A foam roller is cheap, soothes aches and pains, and it strengthens muscles

When you were younger, doing activities like climbing stairs and reaching the top shelf didn’t take much effort at all. But as you age, you lose elasticity in your joints and connective tissue–and suddenly, you can end up hurting after doing those simple tasks. Research shows that a massage can reduce stiffness and soreness by more than 40%. But we found an even better (and less expensive!) way to banish aches: a foam roller.

Many trainers and physical therapists call this inexpensive, long white tube their secret weapon against pain. Similar to an old-fashioned rubdown, using a roller breaks up fibrous tissue and boosts circulation so you’re less sore.

How to use a foam roller

Click on any of the videos below to view a foam roller in use. They are all found on YouTube. You can find these and other explanatory videos by searching for “foam roller” and “foam roller exercises.”

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