Fête - 01.05.2018

ISSUE NO. 26 / FETEPRESS.COM.AU 81

THE MODEST FOAM ROLLER

You may of purchased one from a physio in the last ten years and more than likely

you used it religiously for the irst few weeks but now it is an awkward ornament in

the corner of your lounge room or a toy in your children's playroom.

For those of you that are smiling you are
already part of the foam roller team and for
those of you who have no idea what I am
talking about, get ready to be Googling,
‘Where do I purchase a foam roller?'
sometime soon.
Let me introduce you to the foam roller –
the name explains what it is but its
function is likened to providing similar
benefits to a sports massage.
The benefits of foam rolling have to do
with the mobility of the fascia. Fascia is a
fibrous band of connective tissue that
surrounds all of the muscles in our body.
Without proper mobility, fibres become
linked and they bind to muscles and nerves
creating loss in function and causing pain.
Some benefits of rolling include;
MUSCLE RELEASE
REDUCES INJURY
REDUCES SORENESS AFTER EXERCISE
MORE EFFICIENT EXCHANGE OF
NUTRIENTS
LOOSENS FASCIA
INCREASES FLEXIBILITY
REDUCES CELLULITE
INCREASES BLOOD CIRCULATION
The foam roller can also be used as a piece
of equipment to tone and sculpt your body.
Following are five exercises that if
performed at home will strengthen your
abdominals, in particular your lower abs
and also release your upper and middle
back while strengthening your arms and
shoulders. This is a great little series that
can complement your existing workout
regime and will leave you feeling wonderful.

health / FITNESS

STORY / KIRSTEN KING

PHOTOGRAPHS / CAROLINE MCCREDIE

AB SEQUENCE / KNEE HOVER AND PULL

START WITH YOUR HANDS UNDER YOUR SHOULDERS AND YOUR KNEES UNDER

YOUR HIPS (FOUR POINT KNEELING POSITION). PLACE THE ROLLER UNDER THE

FRONT OF YOUR FEET. INHALE TO PREPARE AND EXHALE TO HOVER YOUR KNEES

OFF THE GROUND SHARING YOUR WEIGHT BETWEEN YOUR HANDS AND FEET.

INHALE TO HOLD AND EXHALE TO SLIGHTLY LENGTHEN LEGS OUT AND AWAY FROM

YOUR BODY. INHALE TO HOLD, EXHALE TO PULL KNEES BACK UNDER YOUR HIPS.

REPEAT THIS MOVEMENT SIX-TEN TIMES AND AIM TO COMPLETE FOUR SETS.