Foam Rolling for Runners

Up until a year ago, I had never heard of foam rollers. I saw these odd things at the gym where people would get on the floor and roll around on them, but I never knew the purpose. Thankfully, now I do.

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Foam rollers can be used as part of a warmup and cooldown routine, as well as for rehabing sore muscles.  Body weight is applied to the areas you're targeting and you roll your body over the roller to create a massage effect. The first several times of foam rolling are awkward and even uncomfortable, but once you get the hang of it, it will quickly become a part of your running routine.

The folks over at Runner's World have a series of videos to show you each foam roller move. When I first got my foam roller, I cannot express how ridiculous I looked trying to figure out how to use the darn thing. I wish I had seen these videos before I attempted to roll on my stomach. Thankfully, that attempt was done in the privacy of my own home. That probably would have been more embarrassing than the times I've fallen off the treadmill...

Do you use a foam roller? Share your experiences below!