The Foam Roller, Workout & Massage

Hurts like a bee sting tho so I tend to skip it unless at my most healthy proactive self. Prefer the stick & hubby apply vs balance self.

I worked out with my foam roller with a Karen Voight DVD two days in a row on 4-12 and 4-13 (having only worked out once before on the foam roller with a DeSilva DVD). The pain in my ribs on the left side was excruciating by Wednesday night. I assume it was the sit ups on this roller device that brought on the pain. I probably averaged 3 to 4 hours of sleep on 4-16,4-17 and 4-18. It hurt to breathe deeply, cough, etc. I was still in such discomfort today and so darn tired, I seriously checked out Urgent Care centers to see if I could get an x-ray, thinking maybe I cracked a rib and needed muscle relaxants. Unfortunately, none of the local urgent cares took my insurance except for one that didn't have an x-ray machine available on weekends. I could not even do a stretch tape today, and I am NOT a hypochondriac. It's been the first time I've never done at least some kind of exercise tape on the weekend in years.I am not giving 2 stars for the DVD workout itself, as I have not yet tried that one. But the two other foam roller DVDs by well known instructors who I've never had any complaints about before have convinced me that it is the foam roller itself to beware of. If I was rating only the foam roller, I'd give it a negative number. I can do modified situps for 10 minutes straight minimum. Maybe I was not exactly aligned when doing situps on the roller. All I know is that after trying numerous exercise equipment (the old "step," a mini trampoline, the "bean," big exercise balls, the "wave," etc.), the foam roller was the most difficult and painful. Maybe it's just not meant for 50+ year olds This is the worst exercise gimic I've ever had the nonfortune to waste money on.

I really enjoy using this DVD because I train a lot & get kinks & sore spots in my body. This is as good as a deep tissue massage, for me. Massages are good but quite costly; this I can do this a few times a week & I get good results, from the comfort of my own mat. So if you train hard & wish for a massage but find it's not in your budget, get this DVD & give yourself a massage.

Perfect instruction for foam roller!

Very painful for folks that are already sore.

I liked this DVD. There are Pros to it, however there are also a few things that detract. The pros: the instructor is pleasant and the exercises are basic, but thorough. The cons: this workout is not suitable for anyone with a wrist injury or weakness. Only one of the stretches (the thigh stretch) can be easily modified and the instructor actually doesn't demonstrate any modifications. If you have arthritis, tendinitis or really any wrist or shoulder issues be aware that this is likely not the workout for you. You will need to be able to bear roughly half of your body weight on your wrists/shoulders for about 2/3rds of this workout.Again, if you have no injury concerns, it is a pleasant, basic and relaxing workout. It really is designed for people who are already in shape, have some familiarity with Pilates and have no permanent or recurrent shoulder or wrist injuries.

this is a great roller for your workout. I like to use the roller for those tense shoulder muscles from stress. It is also great for back tension. I love dealing with Amazon.

Simple instructions & a great way to release chronic muscle tension and pain. If you have tight hips, shoulders, back or thigh muscles, you might really get relief from this.