Best foam roller for shin splints: Shin splints are becoming very common among athletes. It can be painful AND even more painful is the fact that sometimes it seems almost impossible to get rid of it.
If you have shin splints, don’t despair. Contrary to popular perceptions, there is a way to get rid of them once and for all. Today I am going to show you the best foam roller for shin splints that you can get to relieve painful shin muscles.
Table of Contents
Best Foam Roller For Shin Splints
1. PowerPro 2 in 1 Foam Rollers
Size: The 24-inch foam roller
PowerPro 2 in 1 Foam Rollers are our first choice. We like these rollers for 2 reasons. One, high-quality construction, and unique design. Two, you get two reels for the price of one.
Roll number one has a smooth surface. This roller is ideal for beginners. It gently massages the affected area. This smooth roll measures 24 inches, which is long enough to roll the shins.
The second external roller is a high-density roller ideal for experienced athletes. This roller comes with grooves that match human fingers. It is designed to give a more targeted massage.
Both rollers are made of EVA foam. This material is strong and durable. You can be sure that your rollers will keep their shape.
best foam roller for shin splints
2. TriggerPoint STK Portable Foam Roller
Size: 19.5 inches foam roller
Weight: 0.75 lb
If you are looking for a portable option, consider the TriggerPoint STK Foam Roller. It has a unique and flexible design (hourglass). This design allows you to wrap your shin and compress it as you roll.
It also features wheels of different sizes that roll efficiently through the muscles. This, in turn, helps improve blood circulation and ease the pain.
Its slim handles allow you to control the amount of pressure applied to your shins.
You can also use your TriggerPoint portable foam roller on:
- Hips
- Quads
- Upper back
- Lower back
best foam roller for shin splints
3. Day 1 Fitness High-Density Foam Roller
Size: 12, 18, 24, and 36 inches
Weight: 12.8 ounces
With its ability to exploit even the most difficult knots, the 1 Day Fitness Foam Roller is a high-performance roller that is ideal for both beginners and experienced athletes.
Four sizes are available in it.
- 12-inch foam roller that is ideal for small muscle groups.
- 18-inch foam roller which is better for hamstrings and calf muscles
- 24-inch foam roller designed to roll the back
- 36-inches roller good for pilates
For this review, we will focus on the 18-inch roller. The Day1 Fitness 18 Inch Roller is a muscle roller designed to activate your body’s healing response. It is made of EPP foam. This material is strong and does not break or bend easily. EPP is also spill-resistant.
This 18-inch foam roller can give you a deep tissue massage, allowing you to recover from blackhead splints. In addition to treating your shin splints, you can use it to treat conditions like plantar fasciitis, release toxin build-up from your body, and correct spinal abnormalities.
best foam roller for shin splints
4. Rollga Genesis Fascial Foam Roller
Size: The 18-inch foam roller
Weight: 9 ounces
Now with a very unique selection on our list, an award winner in Runner’s World magazine, the Rollga Genesis Foam.
I have to admit that the first time I saw it I thought, “Does it work?” In simple words yes, as proved by the thousands of positive feedbacks from the users. Well, Rollga understands that our bodies have curves and for this reason, they built the Genesis foam roller to conform to the curves of the human body. This roller has an innovative design that allows you to work only on the muscles, avoiding contact with the bones.
The Genesis foam roller features three zones. Zones 1 and 3 reflect the thumbs and fingers of a massage therapist, while zone 2 mimics an elbow massage. This roller works by improving blood flow to the shins. This, in turn, brings regeneration of new tissue to the affected area, allowing you to recover from shin splints.
best foam roller for shin splints
5. TriggerPoint Grid Foam Roller
Size: The 13-inch foam roller
Weight: 1 pound
The TriggerPoint roller is highly recommended by massage therapists, athletes, and coaches. Unlike other rollers like the LuxFit, the TP Grid features a grooved surface. These grooves are designed to reflect the hands of a massage therapist. This allows you to apply different amounts of pressure to your shins.
The multi-density exterior is built on a hollow core. This innovative design is only found on the TriggerPoint Roller. It allows the roller to be light and easy to transport.
The TriggerPoint Grid Roller is made of a sturdy, high-quality material so it won’t break or come loose easily. Its max weight capacity is 500 pounds.
This roller will help pop knots in the shins, improve blood circulation, and help you recover from injuries. You can use it on the neck, quads, and back too.
best foam roller for shin splints
6. NextRoller 3 Speed Vibrating Foam Roller
Size: 13 inch foam roller – 6 inch diameter
Weight: 3 pounds
The vibrating foam rollers are designed to run twice as fast as standard rollers. This allows you to recover faster. The NextRoller Vibratory Foam Roller is one of the best vibratory foam rollers on the market. It copies the hand of a massage therapist because of the multi-density surface.
You get 3 levels of intensity; low, medium, and high. Each level gives you a deeper pressure release than the previous level.
The NextRoller vibrating foam roller comes with a charger. It can give up to 2 hours of battery timing.
best foam roller for shin splints
7. 321 Strong Foam Roller
Size: The 13-inch foam roller
Weight: 1 pound
Our next pick is a roller designed to add some pop to your rolling routine. It also works perfectly to relieve the pain associated with the shin splints.
This inexpensive foam roller is popular with runners, swimmers, CrossFit athletes, and more. It features ridges and bumps that are stiff enough to give you a deep tissue massage.
It is made of EVA foam that is durable. You can use your 321 foam roller before training to increase flexibility and after training to decrease muscle pain. With this roller, shin splints will be a thing of the past.
best foam roller for shin splints
8. BRAZYN Morph Trek Foldable Foam Roller
If you are looking for a foam roller that you can easily transport from your home to the gym or a race, the Brazyn Morph Trek Collapsible is the one for you. It collapses at just 1.85 inches thick. And it can return to its full-size 5.5-inch diameter with a simple pull of the pull cords.
Since the foam is multi-angled, you can isolate knots and soothe triggering muscle spots without any discomfort. Designed by former NFL tight end Nate Lawrie, the TREK is designed with mobility in mind, which means you can take this roller anywhere. It has also been tested to support over 350 pounds of weight, so if you’re bigger than an NFL tight end, you can still use this roller.
Also, it is comfortable for practically everyone with its “Goldilocks” foam, which means that it is neither too hard nor too soft. You will experience the perfect foam density of medium/firm foam. It is not as smooth as a massage, but you will feel like you have received a massage after using the TREK.
best foam roller for shin splints
9. HYPERICE VYPER 2.0 Foam Roller
With Hyperice Vyper 2.0, you get an even better massage than a masseuse. With three different speeds of high-intensity vibration, you can perform a vibratory massage to complement the rolling action. It is 2 times more effective than regular foam laminate due to this deep muscle penetration technology.
Even when body mass is applied, the Vyper 2.0 will still maintain the vibration force, unlike other similar rollers that are not as powerful. Plus, rechargeable batteries will give you over two hours of charge, and you can take this on the plane as it’s TSA-approved carry-on luggage.
In the end, this roller will help you in faster and more efficient recovery than a regular foam roller. The company claims it will be able to increase its range of motion by up to 40% vs. 18% increase as compared to a traditional foam roller.
best foam roller for shin splints
10. MOJI HEAT ROLLER
The Moji Heat Roller changes the rules of the game by using deep heat therapy to release myofascial trigger points and aid in muscle recovery. You will find that this roller is stiffer so you can maximize the benefits of heat.
This roller provides targeted pain relief by targeting the large muscle groups in the legs, back, or neck. After use, you will find that your body feels significantly more relaxed if you apply constant, even pressure with the Moji Heat Warmer.
You will need to separate the roller into two pieces and place them in the microwave before using them. During the first use, it may be difficult to separate the roller, but it will loosen after a few turns. In addition to the benefits of heat, the textured outer padding provides a comfortable massage for tight muscles.
In the end, you can’t go wrong with the Moji Heat Roller because the heat component adds another level of recovery and activation of muscle tissue.
best foam roller for shin splints
Factors to Consider
1. Nature Of The Material
This is very critical on every roll that has been manufactured. Because the nature of the material shows its softness and firmness.
Soft rollers are generally for beginners. Those who maybe are just using them for the first time. They are also good for areas of the body that are sensitive to hard surfaces.
People who are generally touch-sensitive would also find soft materials to be the best.
Hard surface rollers are ideal for deep tissue massage. They are usually used by professionals. As they are used to them.
Know that a hard one can be painful to use. So if you don’t know much about them, start with the soft ones.
2. Size
Size also matters in selecting the best foam roller for shin splints. Your choice when it comes to size should be informed by your intended use.
If you want a full body massage then you should buy the larger ones. Probably those that are 24 inches and larger. The 36-inch ones are really good in this regard.
In general, a long foot roller is good for blackhead massage.
3. Design
Design cannot be overlooked when you want to buy a foam roller. Because the design somehow affects the function.
Most of these have an identical design. So you don’t have to think about this too much.
However, if you want a special design, you should look at models like Rollga. I am a great admirer of this unit. I like the way it works and the way it works in the body.
Yellow foam roller for muscle massage.
4. Portability
Would you like to go to your office, exercise or exercise? So you can’t afford to buy a heavy one that you can’t carry. This is the idea behind getting a relatively light one.
best foam roller for shin splints
How to use the foam roller for shin splints?
After looking at the best models and factors to consider before buying, let’s now briefly discuss how you can use them to your overall advantage.
And before that, I want to explain why foam rollers are effective on shin splints and why you should eliminate muscle pain in your shin.
As we said at the beginning, there is still confusion about how to properly handle this problem. And this is due to the inaccurate advice that is generally given to people in general.
Even the best advice some professional coaches give is the usual “go and relax” classic.
And as we have seen over and over again, this advice is wrong. Because most of the time the pain doesn’t go away like this. And this can affect your overall performance.
Therefore, to avoid endless recurrence, you need foam rollers. Why :
best foam roller for shin splints
1. Prevent Injuries At A Cheaper Cost
They can also be used to receive a massage as good as a professional massage. When used properly, they can loosen the tight muscles you get after long periods of exercise.
2. Of Stress
By loosening your muscles, they treat the sore and help you relax. All this helps you eliminate any stress that may result from the knots in your muscles.
3. Promote Flexibility
This is evident from the numerous reports from those who regularly use them. As an athlete or normal person, you need the flexibility to help you improve your performance and carry out your activities in a healthy way.
To roll properly on your shin, if you like, settle on your foam roller in a kneeling portion with both legs on the roller. Make sure your hands touch the ground. This gives you some support.
Then roll to your knees. Avoid rolling on the joints of your knees. And then go back to your ankles. Be sure to back up as far as possible to include the full length of the muscles in the massage.
best foam roller for shin splints
Mistakes To Avoid When Rolling Foam
Here are some mistakes to avoid when rolling foam
- Rolling directly over the affected area: Shin splints are often the result of force on the shin and the tissues around it. Rolling directly to the shin can increase inflammation. If you feel pain from the shin splints, turn the back of your legs. If you want to avoid shin splints, roll up the front and back of your legs.
- Rolling Fast: When rolling, your goal is to remove every twist and knot. This means that your movements should be slow and more focused.
- Roll for too long: We recommend that you roll each leg for less than 5 minutes. Seeing, rolling an area for too long could lead to tissue or nerve damage. Now, we don’t want that, do we?
best foam roller for shin splints
FAQs
1. Can a foam roller help make splints?
Still, doubting the power of a foam roller? Well, don’t do it. Other exercises can help you with shin splints, but foam rollers still take the day.
2. What size of a foam roller for shin splints?
We recommend that you choose a high-quality foam roller that measures between 13 and 24 inches. Any roller within this range is large enough to make shin splints and you can still use it on other parts of your body. Also, consider whether you want to travel with your roller. If you plan to travel with it, consider a hollow roller like the TriggerPoint roller from the list above.
best foam roller for shin splints
Conclusion
If you’re like me, you can vouch that shin pain is the most horrible pain you can have on your feet. It is awful. Rolling the shins is one of the best ways to relieve shin pain. It also helps increase your flexibility and mobility, reducing the risk of injury when you exercise.
The article above reviews some of the best foam rollers for shin splints. You can choose the handheld option, the vibrate option, or the standard option.
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