5 reasons why foam rolling is A-listers’ secret to getting a lean body

When it comes to toning up and sculpting your body, it’s unlikely that foam rolling would be the first thing that comes to mind.

Yet, this practice of self-myofascial (or “self-massage”) release has found itself in every A-lister’s fitness programme, from Victoria’s Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio to American reality TV star Khloe Kardashian.

Even leading Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow is a fan – touting foam rolling to be the key to longer, leaner muscles and other health benefits.

So what exactly is foam rolling?

Think of it as a rehabilitating massage that goes beyond the static stretch.

Carried out using a cylindrical tube (which is usually designed with alternating smooth and bumpy surfaces), this stretching exercise helps relieve tense muscles caused by a hard day’s work.

It works by loosening up the fascia, which is the connective tissue that surrounds the muscle and is responsible for aches, stiffness, and knots.

Used for active recovery, foam rolling is the underused key to maximising the results of your time spent at the gym, helping you train harder, recover faster, and reduce the chances of injury. 

So let’s discover how celebrities use foam rolling to achieve their slender physique, and the five reasons why you need to incorporate it into your fitness regimen stat.