How often do you hit the foam roller before a particularly tough sweat sesh to prevent soreness? Using a foam roller is a common way to loosen tension, but it may not be the miracle tool it's touted to be.
"While foam rolling is commonly thought to help break up gnarly stuff like scar tissue so our muscles will be able to move better before training, some new research revealed that this isn't quite true," Stan Dutton, NASM-certified personal trainer and head coach at Ladder, told POPSUGAR.
"Instead of picking up a foam roller before a tough workout or to relieve muscle soreness, opt for slow, deliberate movement that helps prepare for similar exercises that you'll be doing in that day's work out," Stan explained. "For example, if you're planning on hitting some squats, start your workout with slow and controlled bodyweight or goblet squats."