Rehabilitation - the foam roller

 As a massage therapist, I recommend to nearly every one of my athletes that they use a foam roller. They are great combined with stretching to help keep the muscles and connective tissue of the legs etc mobile and healthy. It wasn't until this week when Kris at Innovative whipped out a foam roller and had me roll out my IT bands (the sides of the legs) that I realized I have never actually implemented my own advice...ever! Turns out it really really hurts! I knew that I was tight through my legs (well, pretty much everywhere actually) but I had no idea the torture that I would be forced to endure from a seemingly innocent piece of foam.
I was at crazy-endurance-go-forever runners Meredith and Adams for dinner a few weeks ago and took the picture below because I was so amazed at Meredith pulling out a foam roller mid conversation to do a little hamstring and ITband maintenance. That's serious commitment to mobile legs if you ask me.
I have a feeling that me and the roller are going to get to know each other better - I tell others to do it because I believe in it....time to take my own medicine!

While I was trying to find a picture of a foam roller online, I came across this guy....not sure what he's trying to accomplish but I'm fairly certain I don't recommend it. I suppose he IS using a foam roller as a headrest.  What a stud.