BLACKROLL45 - The original - Long foam roller - Myofascial release tools - Muscle roller - different densities, 45cm + booklet

A black back roll made in Germany (Clearly moulded on the side) this back roll is surprisingly light given its size and apparent strength. The Roll is made from what appears to be a lightweight plastic with a skin semi rough surface, it’s approximately 12 CM in diameter cylinder with a 3or 4 CM hole running through and is 45 CM long. The surface is very much wipe clean so if it gets a bit sweaty no problems.

Excellent, rock solid roller. I can tell this will last for years, though it is very lightweight. It 's great for working out the knots in my calves after a run - and comes with a handy leaflet with some recommended exercises too. Very good.

I was asked if I’d like to review Blackroll Standard 45 - SS17, and I said yes.The Roller was originally developed to help athletes for self-myofascial treatment, which helps to improve the balance within your body. It involves techniques that stretch out the connective tissue, (it’s found throughout the whole body). It’s made of collagen and creates a structural support. Ligaments, tendons, and the periosteum which is coating on bones), as this can create tightness and lack of mobility, which can lead to injury.The Blackroll Standard is well made, sturdy and it’s extremely firm, so it should last you a lifetime. I store this in the bottom of my wardrobe due to it’s size.When your Blackroll Standard arrives, you’ll find four points on the back of the box in English. You’ll find some illustrated exercises and another paragraph in English underneath them.Also in the box you’ll find an instruction booklet,(which shows you some exercises) and another two product leaflets, but the writing is completely in German so that’s useless unless you speak German.One the side of the box there’s an app you can scan or you can do what I did, which was go and have a look at the website, it shows you all the exercises that you can do which are:-• ABDOMEN• HIPS• TRUNK• UPPER BODY• BACK• ARMS• LEGSWhen you’ve decided on which exercise you’re going to do, you then place your bodyweight on the roll and then you roll it slowly backwards and forwards 6-8 times. The company says it helps with blood flow and helps you to relax.Personally, I spend about 5 minutes on each exercise every day, (in other words 5 minutes on my right leg and 5 minutes on my left leg, etc.).I’d like to point out something for your own personal safety. If you’re disabled through an illness or an injury, PLEASE ask your doctor first about using this before you purchase it, (it’s no good spending money if you’re not able to use it).It has helped to relive some pain that I have and hopefully it’ll help me even more with continued use. I can personally recommend it.

On first inspection this appears to be nothing more than a plastic cylinder and, indeed, it is. However, there is a little bit more to it than that.The Blackroll has been designed specifically for self-massage of muscle connective tissue; to that end it has dimensions and a specific hardness. Similar foam rollers are used in gyms and by people who are muscle training, in order to speed muscle recovery and repair. I can't speak as to the scientific efficacy of the idea but I can say that it feels great using one of these.There is an app available for iOS and Android which gives a range of exercises and instructions. This is handy as the included paper instructions are solely in German. The app shows you how to use the Blackroll for fascia massage, so that you can get the best results from it. It also shows you can use the Blackroll for strength training and allows you to select a session for Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced and choose the number of exercises to tailor the session length.I use the roll in a quadricep exercise where I squat with my back supported against a wall. My walls are painted with an emulsion that catches on my clothes and leaves white marks; placing the Blackroll between me and the wall allows me to squat smoothly.

PROFESSIONAL GRADE====================A great product and I've seen them at the physiotherapists.I've been using it almost every day since it's arrived. You can get a smaller one, but this one, the 45, is a little longer and as a consequence is better for men, or women who are broad.LONGER========The longer version is better as the complete shoulders lie on the roll.GREAT======I've had a back issue for a while now and when I went to the physio recently they said these are good but make sure to use one that's suitable. (some are hard, some are soft.)PILATES========I've used this in a class too.COMFORTABLE==============It gave good comfortable resistance on my upper back and shoulders.WELL=====Well made and solid.OVERALL========No problems with this, I'll update the review if I have any problems.