Foam rollers have long been used by athletes and dancers in order to help lessen the tension and soreness in their muscles. I, myself, have used this every time I finish a few classes in ballet.
Even when there’s not enough scientific research about it, I can say that using it has helped me have faster recovery time than when I didn’t use a foam roller.
Now, there’s a new version of foam rollers and they come with vibration. At first, the practical side of me was thinking that this is just one fad and that the vibration doesn’t really make a difference. However, when I tried my friends’ Emerge Vibrating Foam Roller, I realised that I needed to get one for myself.
With that, I made a little research about the Emerge Vibration Foam Roller and here are things I love and don’t love about it.
Overview of the Emerge Vibrating Foam Roller
The Emerge Vibration Foam Roller comes in a strikingly neon green color. Its surface has two different designs – one with ridges and one that is flat. The ridges mimic a finger massage to give additional relaxation to the muscles.
Coupled with the 3 different intensities, this design can really penetrate to the deep tissue. On the other hand, the flat surface mimics a palm massage. This side is often used when you want to roll the product along the length of a muscle.
Compared to other vibration foam rollers, the Emerge Vibration Foam Roller does not look any different except for its fancy neon green color. However, what sets it apart is how good the vibrations are and how easy it is to use – from unpacking to charging.
A Closer Look at the Features of the Emerge Vibrating Foam Roller
Surface Design
First of all, the surface design has two types – flat and grooved. This is meant for different types of muscle needs.
You can alternate the use of those sides depending on what your muscles need. Typically, I use the grooved area for my pre-workout. This part helps loosen the muscles so that you can have proper blood flow to it.
It’s a great way to prepare for a high-intensity exercise. This side is also used for the actual rolling of the product over the length of your muscles.
On the other hand, the grooved part is good for muscle tension relief after my workout. The small bumps on the foam roller help deeply massage my muscles so it reduces the soreness I feel. This side is also better to be used when you want to focus on a specific part of your muscle.
Vibration Settings
Aside from the surface, one of the most important things you have to check in any vibration foam roller is the vibration settings. Most vibration rollers have three different settings which are already enough to meet your muscle needs. The vibration settings should adjust in intensity and speed.
The Emerge Vibration Foam Roller has three vibration settings – low, medium, and high. The low vibration is good for beginners or when you want to start easing slowly into the massage.
The medium vibration is useful for when the high-level vibration is too much for your muscles. If you’re into the hard type of massage, the high setting is for you.
Size
Even if they all look the same, foam rollers come in different lengths and widths. They often range from 13-19 inches. For the Emerge Vibration Foam Roller, it’s only 13 inches long. While this perfectly fit me, this might be too small for taller and bulkier people.
It also helps to look at the movements you will do with the foam roller to know if you need a long one or a short one. Some people prefer to buy a longer foam roller because they want to be able to use it with two legs simultaneously.
Density
Another thing you should be looking at is the density. Density refers to the firmness of the roller. If it’s low density, this means that it doesn’t put high pressure on your muscles. The higher the density, the more pressure is added.
The Emerge Vibration Foam Roller has a high-density material that makes it perfect for athletes and sports enthusiasts. The high-density exterior makes the pre- and post-workout muscle massages more intense.
Pro and Cons
- Functional design
- Good vibration settings from gentle to very intense
- Travel friendly – lightweight
- Easy to use
- Easily fit into a gym bag – smaller than the average foam rollers
- Battery lasts only 2-3 hours
- Material feels hard at first but becomes softer over time
Concluding Thoughts
Overall, the Emerge Vibration Foam Roller is a great product for those who like durable and intense vibration settings. It’s so easy to use and it also looks good.