HOW TO FOAM ROLL YOUR CLIENTS.

Foam rolling for self-myofascial release (SMR) is popular amongst fitness enthusiasts and personal trainers. Today I will talk about how you can use a foam roller on your clients for effective myofascial release, which will enhance your client’s training results. Your business will also benefit because, when used correctly, this technique will improve your client conversion and retention rates.

When you use SMR, you are relieving tension in the muscles by breaking up the knots. Knots can form through a variety of reasons such as repeated improper movement patterns, injuries, stress etc. When a muscle has knots, it can be held in a short and tight position. Leaving it this way over time can cause a muscle imbalance. When thinking of a muscle imbalance, think of the agonists and antagonists (the opposing muscle); the simplest example of this is the Pectoralis Major and the Rhomboids and Mid Traps. It’s common to see an imbalance in someone who works behind a desk and does not have a proper workout routine. The chest will get tight and short, which pulls the acromial end of the clavicle forwards. This stretches out the rhomboids and mid traps, making them weaker and less able to hold the clavicle in the correct position. Over time, this leads to a hunched shoulder position; the longer it is in this position, the harder it is to correct.

During my time as a PT I would teach my clients how to foam roll and stretch, but I would also foam roll them as well. This is important for two reasons; the first one is that you will always be able to foam roll the client better and more effectively than they can themselves. You will be more direct with the pressure, and it is harder for the client to stop when the knot is painful. The second is that it gives you a reason to be there with the client. The more reasons there are for you to spend time with your client, the less likely they are to drop you and do the training themselves.

Below is a list of areas you could try foam rolling with your clients, but first, here is the process I use when foam rolling new clients. Contrary to popular opinion, you should not just roll over muscle groups when foam rolling. The rolling should only be used to find the sore spots. Once you have found a sore area, hold for 20 – 30 seconds or until the pain goes away.  Then move to the next area, and the next, holding for 20-30 seconds on each sore spot. Slowly increase the pressure and stop when the client signals - they will know if it is unbearable. Foam rolling can be painful, so do not be afraid if the client shows some pain. Foam roll one side at a time, and once this is done, ask the client to stand up and walk around to feel the difference. This is so the new client can feel the difference between sides and see the value of having you as their trainer. Ask the client, “Can you feel the difference? This is how I want you to feel all the time.”

When doing this, remember to hold for 20 – 30 seconds per sore spot. If not, you are wasting your time.

Below are some of the most effective areas to foam roll.

After the quad foam roll, the client should stretch out the quads. You can help the client with this stretch by having them down on one knee in a deep lunge position (make sure their knee is on a mat or cushion as this can be painful on the client’s knee.) Slowly lift the client’s back foot to a position where they are comfortable and can feel a stretch in their quads and hip flexor. Once they are comfortable doing this, they will be able to do it at home using a wall.

There are many other areas you can foam roll, but these are the easiest to foam roll on your clients. I recommend trying these out on your friends and family before trying them on clients.