Foam rolling, Fact or Fiction?
posted on September 12, 2025
Foam rolling has become a staple in most gym routines either as a warm-up ritual or a post-workout cooldown. Research suggests that self-myofascial release (SMR) using foam rollers can offer short-term benefits like reduced muscle soreness and improved range of motion. A 2015 study published in the Journal of Athletic Training found that foam rolling after intense exercise decreased delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and helped athletes maintain performance levels in the following days. It’s no surprise that many athletes swear by it!
However, the science isn’t fully sold on foam rolling as a performance enhancer. Meta-analyses, including one published in Frontiers in Physiology (2020), report that while foam rolling may feel good and support mobility, it doesn’t significantly improve muscle strength or power output. In other words, it’s unlikely to make you faster, stronger, or able to lift more weight on its own. But here’s the catch, if it helps you mentally feel more prepared, relaxed, or in tune with your body before or after a workout, there’s real value in that. Sometimes, just feeling better is reason enough to include it in your routine so go ahead, roll it out!
-Tristan
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