Foam rollers are used for stretching and massaging soft tissues and as props for balance training and core exercises. The user can lie, sit, kneel, or stand on the roller to release tightness in muscles and fascia or add an element of balance training to core exercises. Traditionally, the low-density foam used for these products was porous and broke down easily over time. The ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam roller, on the other hand, is nonporous and made of heat-sealed, high-density foam to maintain shape and resist moisture and bacteria from penetrating the surface.
What we liked:
- Because the surface of the EVA foam full round roller is non-porous, it protects against bacterial growth and can be easily cleaned with an antibacterial product.
- The high-density foam is durable and resilient and returns to its original shape after use.
- The blue color hides scuffs and marks, making the roller look newer for longer.
- The product is lightweight and stores easily either upright or horizontally.
What we didn't like:
- The high-density EVA foam may be too hard for beginners, causing excessive discomfort during stretching and self-massage.
- The hardness of the high-density EVA foam may provide too much of a balance challenge during core exercises, making this product more appropriate for advanced exercisers if the intended use is balance training.
October 9, 2009