Amazon Basics High Density Foam Roller

CAN BE PAINFUL TO USE BUT THE RESULTS ARE WORTH IT (Restored Range of Motion) This 18″ roller works well for me (210lb male). After resuming exercise after a long hiatus, muscle soreness and tension limited my range of mobility, especially in my legs. A fitness instructor saw me struggling while attempting squat stretches and told me to grab a roller. USING THE ROLLER WAS PAINFUL, BUT THE RESULTS WERE WORTH IT. After four minutes on the roller, targeting the front and side of my thighs, I was able to walk and fully squat. I no longer moved like an old, arthritic cowboy.NOTE: A roller does not eliminate muscle soreness – I still felt that – but it helps restore range of motion by compressing lactic acid, allowing it to be removed from muscle tissue. If you have arthritis or underlying ligament/tendon/cartilage issues, DO NOT ROLL YOUR JOINTS! [Pun unintended] The roller is for muscles only, not joints, and using a roller on joints can cause pain and damage.The 18″ size works well for me (medium-large legs/torso), allowing me to roll both legs at the same time. If you are wider than 18″ (L, XL legs/torso), you might want to try a 24″ roller so you can roll both legs comfortably. The goal is to relax as much as possible while rolling, allowing the muscles to release tension so the lactic acid can be compressed out of the tissue. If you’re a big dude (or woman), tensing up while rolling counteracts the compression, limiting your results and increasing the discomfort you experience while rolling. Get a size that works for your body.I recommend going as small as you comfortably can for storage reasons. Yes, there are 24″ and 36″ rollers, but where are you going to store a 3′ foot roller? Smaller rollers are easier to store in closets or under beds.Using a roller at my home gives me the liberty and privacy to focus on problematic areas (lower back and thighs) while grunting and yelping without disturbing other people. TARGET THE SORE AREA FOR THE BEST RESULTS. This roller has the right firmness to put pressure on tight muscles without being too hard. Everyone’s pain tolerance is different, so I would rate this firmness for someone with average pain tolerance. I don’t enjoy pain, but with this roller, the temporary pain is worth the long-term results of being able to walk/squat with a normal range of motion. After heavy leg days, the roller allows me to be back to a normal range of motion on day 2. Without the roller, I wouldn’t walk normally until day 4, sometimes day 3.The roller can withstand a beating, making it ideal for storage. Done using it? Throw it in the closet, under the bed, or in the back corner. If it falls, it won’t be damaged. With blunt force collisions, the dense foam is sturdy. However, avoid sharp corners and sharp objects, which can gouge out chunks of the foam.