Velasquez Barbour

Trigger point foam roller with grids together with core exercises have significantly improved my athletic performance.

All too often, it seems with me, and possibly you can relate, that unless something looks like it can be blatantly and visibly beneficial in my life, I'm not likely to really give it my all. Maybe it's because of all the information - and misinformation out there - it's tough to know how to make best use of our time.

This I've seen is particularly true with respect to guidance I've read and been provided in the fitness realm, such as that surrounding 'recovery' and 'the core'. I always thought the word 'recovery' to be associated with being a wimp and resting instead of pushing on. 'No pain, no gain' and all that! The same with 'core' which seems to have blown up to now be a huge 'buzzword' these days and yet it always made me think of gimmicky type fads such as: 'wobble boards', 'bosu balls' and 'ab rollers.'.

I thought like this for a long time, till I came upon rough terrain when I began experiencing injury after injury. (Now I do still consider: 'wobble boards', 'bosu balls' and 'ab rollers' as gimmicky with little to provide but what I regret is putting the foam roller in the same 'faddish' category.

It was only really when I was having problem with repeated bouts of ITBS that I finally took my physio's advice and decided to think more about my strength and core work as well as get a foam roller. And I was reluctant to get a foam roller initially, but I've always taken pleasure in shopping on Amazon due to their quick shipping and simple payment methods. I also knew that if it turned out the product didn't work, it would be really hassle-free to return it.

One foam roller stood out on Amazon, as it actually spoke to me and my needs. It appeared the seller of the item has actually experienced a lot of what I have gone through and were really trying to help. This, instead of most sellers simply pushing products out into the already saturated fitness market.

I have to say, I'm rather surprised with the results I've had. Its only been 3 weeks and I've redesigned my strength work to include only functional movements, my core work to include lower back and pelvis work instead of just abdominals - and I now have a strategy for proactive recovery including daily foam rolling. And so far, so good! I've ratcheted up my training significantly and appear to have healed my ITBS.