A yoga foam roller is one of those simple pieces of equipment that can be used in many ways. It is usually made from firm foam and shaped like a tube. Some rollers have a textured surface or one flat side.

You might use one before yoga or whenever you want to spend a few minutes moving around on the floor. There is no complicated routine to follow.

Our foam rollers come in different lengths. The difference is easy to notice once you use them, so it is worth thinking about what sort of feel you would prefer.

A longer roller gives you more room to move around. It can be useful at home, although it will obviously take up more storage space. A shorter roller is easier to carry and can be tucked into a cupboard, kept in the car or taken along to a class.

Firmness is another thing to look at. Softer foam has more give when you put weight on it. A denser roller feels harder and keeps its shape more firmly. Someone buying their first roller may want to start with a medium-density version. It is really comes down to what feels right for you.

Using Your Foam Roller

Start slowly if you have not used one before. You can always change your position or take some weight off the roller if it feels too firm.

Round rollers move with you as you roll across them. Half-round rollers sit flat on one side as they stay in place more easily. They are both useful in different ways.

Try not to roll directly over bones or joints.

Looking After Your Roller

Check the individual product page before using cleaning sprays.

We stock yoga foam rollers in a mixture of sizes, colours and finishes. Take a look through the collection and check the measurements, firmness and surface texture before choosing one.

What to Check Before Ordering

Before choosing a foam roller, take a moment to check:

The overall length and diameter
Whether it is full-round or half-round
The listed firmness or density
Whether the surface is smooth or textured
The product weight
The available storage space at home
Whether you will need to carry it regularly
Any cleaning or care instructions

Colour and pattern may help you choose between similar products, but size, firmness and shape are usually more useful points to compare.

Smooth or Textured Foam?

Some rollers are completely smooth. Others have grooves, bumps or raised sections across the outside.

A smooth roller has the same surface all the way around. It is also fairly quick to clean because there are no deep gaps for dust to settle into.

Textured rollers vary a lot more. Some have shallow lines, while others have chunky ridges or smaller raised sections. Two textured rollers can look similar from a distance and feel quite different when you pick them up, so have a proper look through the product photographs before deciding.

Where Will You Keep It?

Storage is easy to forget about when you are looking at the product online.

A small roller can usually go inside a cupboard, under a bed or next to your yoga mat. Longer rollers are more awkward. They may be too tall for a shelf and too wide to hide behind a door.

Round rollers also tend to roll about on wooden or tiled floors. Placing one between other pieces of equipment or against a wall usually keeps it out of the way. Half-round rollers are easier because their flat side stops them from moving.

Taking a Roller to Class

A shorter roller is easier to travel with, but that does not always mean it will fit inside an ordinary bag.

Check the diameter as well as the length. Some compact rollers are still surprisingly wide.

Long rollers are generally less convenient to carry around. Unless you have plenty of boot space, they are usually easier to leave at home.