The large protrusions scattered across the surface of this foam roller are designed to be firm yet flexible, mimicking the probing thumbs of a sports massage therapist. A step up from plastic-cored rollers, the Rumble Roller’s EVA bumps give your muscles a serious kneading, which can be more painful than traditional foam rollers but gives a deeper – and more satisfying – myofascial release.
We found it good for quads, hamstrings, calves and back, but rolling the iliotibial band (ITB) took a little longer to get used to. The Rumble Roller hasn’t suffered any compression or shown wear after two months’ use. As well as this race-bag-friendly 30cm model there’s a longer 77.5cm version (£62), and even a firmer black version – if you dare.
This article was originally published in Triathlon Plus magazine, available on Zinio.