As mountain bikers you’re probably not as familiar with the dreaded foam roller as trail runners, but you should be! And there’s no need to fear it either – it’s good for you. We put the Trigger Point Grid 1.0 Foam Roller, TP Massage Ball and the Nano X Foot Roller to the test.
Being able to relieve the aches and strains of your tired or sore muscles on your own without the assistance of a massage therapist or a physio is essential to avoiding injuries. That’s where Trigger Point comes in but not just by selling you the products to work out the knots in your muscles, they also provide you with the know-how to do it (or if you already have a foam roller – the know-how is what you’re after).
Grid 1.0 Foam Roller
The tool runners love to hate but can’t go without, foam rollers have become a must-have home treatment tool, along with a yoga/exercise mat. Trigger Point’s Grid 1.0 is a very sturdy foam roller; 15mm of medium density foam covers a plastic tube which won’t start to distort until over 150kg is placed on it. The lines, blocks and smooth sections of the roller surface are designed to mimic the feel of a masseuse’s fingers, fingertips and palms.
The solid construction and the pliable foam combine to provide a pleasant massage, which can become a little painful (as it should) when you start working through a tight knot in your muscle. If you’re more masochistically bent, give the Grid X a try as it has firmer foam, than the Grid 1.0, for deeper tissue massages.
RRP: R750
TP Massage Ball
The TP Massage Ball is a brilliant little tool. It’s slightly irregularly shaped to allow you to really hone in on a sore point in a muscle and seems to be a cork ball which Trigger Point have had covered with fabric to provide a bit of give. It is perfect for working out the knots in your upper back by positioning the ball against a wall and rolling against it – pin-pointing the painful area. Or use it by hand and push/roll it over the tight areas in your major muscle groups of your arms and legs.
RRP: R375
Nano X Foot Roller
While the Grid 1.0 Foam Roller and TP Massage Ball are both very relevant to mountain bikers, the Nano X Foot Roller might be more of a runner’s tool as it’s designed to sooth your plantar fascia (the sole of your foot), but can also work on other narrow areas like your forearms (or if you are particularly slight your upper arms and calves too). You might not need the Nano X as much as an avid runner might, but after a long day in uncomfortable shoes – like stiff carbon soled XC shoes – there’s nothing your feet will appreciate more than a roll on a Nano. The Nano X features Trigger Point’s firmer foam and really goes to work on any tightness in your plantar fascia, while the normal Nano which we didn’t test should be a little less aggressive as it features the same density foam as the Grid 1.0 we tested.
RRP: R550
Rolling to Recovery
With space being an issue here we decided to put together a comprehensive guide to the benefits of rolling, making use of Trigger Point’s extensive library of home treatment and exercise videos. To learn more visit www.fullsus.co.za/rolling-to-recovery . Visit www.tptherapy.co.za to see all the Trigger Point products on offer.
