When it comes to foam rollers for fitness centers, you should only use heavy-duty ones. However, retail prices for a foam roller are at a minimum of USD 25 apiece. That won’t do you any good if you want to make a profit out of it.
As a business owner, you need to buy less for a premium quality product.
The solution is getting it straight from the source. Buying foam rollers in bulk from the manufacturer will more likely be a feasible option for your gym requirements.
But how do you find them? They seem to be too elusive on the internet.
That’s where we come in. Here, we will give you all the top foam roller brands directly from the manufacturers themselves. We will even give you tips on how to select the best foam roller brands for your gym.
Without further ado. Let’s get into it.
Table of Contents
1. Does the type and size of a foam roller brand make a difference?
Yes, foam rollers have different functions depending on the type of surface it has, density, and its size. The kind of material used for the foam roller will also dictate the unique properties each one can have. Let’s dig into them one by one.
Figure 2: Different types and sizes of foam rollers
2. Different Types of Foam Roller Surfaces
Foam roller surfaces play a role in the intensity of the massage. It also affects how well they can penetrate into the muscle tissues. The basic principle is, the more textured they get, the more they can reach within the muscles.
Plain
Plain textured foam rollers are recommended for novice massage rollers. They apply pressure but just enough to ease tight muscles and relieve pain. They are also good for gyms that offer physical rehabilitation to athletes and during high-intensity training.
Grid
Foam rollers that have grids on them are suitable for experienced users in foam rolling. The roller can either be partially or fully lined with grids.
This type of foam roller is great for intermediate to advanced yoga practitioners and Pilates students in your gym. It applies localized pressure on scar tissues within the skin and muscle. It also acts on trigger points all over the body.
They are effective but can be painful depending on the thickness of the grids which is not appropriate for beginners in your gym or other users that can’t tolerate pain.
Deep Tissue
These foam rollers have little bumps on them. The bumps’ shape and size will depend on the manufacturer’s design. Deep tissue foam rollers are for advanced-level massagers. Their bumps are very firm and stimulate deeper layers of muscles. This can be painful for those who are not healthy enough or have not been used to more than average pain.
For your clients at the gym, the only ones who can use them are those that are into high-intensity workouts like HIIT and Functional Training. Pro athletes would be glad to use these types of foam rollers since it provides flexibility in the soft tissue and long-lasting pain relief.
Foam Roller Types by Density
The density of the foam roller plays a major role too in its efficacy and function. Let us first be on the same page on what density means in a foam roller before getting into each type.
Density describes how compact the foam roller is. The denser the foam roller, the more compact it is and the firmer it feels on the body.
Now, that we’ve cleared that out. Let’s get on to the types.
Low-Density Foam Rollers (Soft)
Foam rollers with low density are quite soft to the touch even if they have deep tissue surfaces. This kind of foam roller is best for beginners in massage rolling or those that are too sensitive to muscle pains.
They are a great option for your clients who are looking just to rejuvenate their muscle cramps preferably with lesser pain. You can also use this for novice-level classes in your yoga sessions at the gym. They are also suitable for physical rehabilitation purposes where the patient needs to progressively heal the muscle tissues.
Medium Density Foam Rollers
Same as with grid rollers, medium-density ones are for those in the intermediate phase of massage rolling.
In your gym, these are the gym users that do regular workouts. They can hold up a much higher than a usual sting in their muscles and tissues. Those who are also in their intermediate level of yoga sessions and Pilates can make use of the medium density foam rollers too.
High-Density Foam Rollers
High-density foam rollers are for your clients that have very tight muscles. These kinds of rollers are quite firm and will help those who are doing intensity training greatly. They are also good for your clients that have delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
High-density foam rollers are better in relieving tight muscles and trigger points. It aligns the muscle tissues and breaks muscle strains. They can also help in the better flow of blood in the nerves which decreases muscle swelling.
Foam Roller Sizes
Roller sizes dictate what muscles and body parts the foam roller can be used for. It would help you to understand what sizes you should get for particular body parts that have to be relieved in any of the activities in your gym.
Standard Full-Size (6” Dia x 36” Length)
Full-size foam rollers are ideal for relieving the stress of larger muscles like the hamstrings, back, and quads. They are used for general exercise or physical therapy sessions.
Because of their three-foot length, they are appropriate for Pilates exercise, core strength activities, and balance movements in your gym. These exercises sometimes have routines where the foam is positioned vertically along the spine to release back tension.
Shorter Length (6” Dia x 18” or 12” Length)
Portability and targeting certain muscles will be your reason for purchasing these sizes of foam rollers for your gym. They can easily fit in a 2’ x 2’ cubby.
18” and 12” foam rollers are used mainly to ease muscles in the glutes, calves, IT bands, neck, shoulders, and other muscles that are not as wide as your back. These shorter sizes of foam rollers also help in concentrating the release of tension in those areas.
Foam rollers with these lengths are perfect to be used in most yoga and Pilates routines and as a cool-down tool for every general exerciser in your gym.
Smaller Diameter (4”)
Foam rollers with 4” or lesser diameters are closer to the ground and are more stable than the standard-sized ones. They are perfect for physical therapy patients, or aging users that need stability while exercising. It’s also the beginner foam roller size for those who are just starting in their foam roller yoga or Pilates classes in your gym.
Flat half-size (3” or 4”)
You might have seen this when searching for a foam roller online, a semi-circular foam roller. This half-sized foam roller can be used for physical therapy, yoga, Pilates, Feldenkrais®, and general core strength exercises in your gym.
3. Types of Material Used for Foam Rollers
The material used for the foam rollers determines their longevity and location of use. It also dictates some of the properties a foam roller will have.
Figure 3: Different foam material for foam rollers
Closed and Open Cell Foam rollers
The cell of a foam refers to the tiny pores in a foam roller.
When the foam roller is made of open-cell foam, they tend to be softer and more flexible. Air and liquid can flow in and out of the foam roller. The downside of this is quicker disintegration of the foam roller. They flake and break easily.
In contrast, closed-cell foams are much firmer. They last longer and keep out moisture. It also makes the foam roller more stable. On the other side of the coin, foam rollers made of closed-cell foams are more rigid and will cost more than open-cell ones.
EPP Foam Rollers
You might have read this type of foam in the descriptions of the featured foam roller brands in the previous sections. EPP-made foam rollers are of high quality yet at an affordable price range. They are sturdy, versatile, and can be used by all user levels.
You can opt to buy foam rollers made of EPP for your gym if you want to have a premium quality foam roller at a competitive price. EPP lasts longer than open-cell foams but not as much as EVA foam rollers.
EVA Foam Rollers
EVA has unmatched supremacy when it comes to durability. They can last up to 12 years.
EVA foam rollers are what you can call the “heavy-duty” foam rollers. They can withstand repeated use and abuse. This is the type of material that is suitable for public fitness facilities like gyms, leisure, and recreation areas.
It’s the perfect kind of material for foam rollers that will be used for Pilates and yoga sessions in your gym and other group foam roller exercises you offer in your facility.
At this point, you probably are familiar enough with the specifications of the foam rollers available in the market.
You need to figure out these details to get the most appropriate foam rollers for the various activities in your gym. Take note that you can mix and match these types to get the right combination for your gym users.
4. Where To Find Premium Quality Foam Roller Brands at an Affordable Price?
Look for it in China. The world’s factory has almost got everything. From consumer goods, industrial products, and fitness accessories, the country almost got all of them.
If you’re still not aware, most of the foam rollers that are retailed in the US, UK, and Europe are actually OEM made from China. Foreign companies give the design and specifications to a factory in China and then exports it with the brand name of the company.
A good example of this is the products offered by Liforme Ltd, a leading company for yoga accessories. In one of Liforme’s featured blogs, the company divulged that their products are exported from an OEM factory in China.
Quality-wise, China’s foam roller factories and brands are on par or can even surpass the quality of most Western brands at a more competitive price tag.
5. Top Foam Roller Brands in China
Since we have established that your best bet in finding premium quality foam rollers is from Chinese manufacturers, let’s get you acquainted with some of the foam roller brands they carry.
Changzhou EVA Solid Foam Roller
Figure 4: Changzhou EVA Solid Foam Roller
Dimensions: 90 x 15 cm, 60 x 15 cm, 45 x 15 cm, 30 x 15 cm
Density/Firmness: Medium
Logo: Customized
Color: Customized
OEM: According to buyer’s specifications
This EVA foam roller is manufactured by Changzhou Yangyuan Buffer Material Co. Ltd. The foam roller is specifically made for beginners to intermediate practitioners in yoga, Pilates, and the self-myofascial release technique of massaging.
Changzhou’s EVA foam roller is well suited for gym activities that are catered for beginners as well as on cool-down exercises after high-intensity workout training.
IR97435Y2 EVA Yoga Foam Roller
Figure 5: IR97435Y2 EVA Yoga Foam Roller
Dimensions: 335 x 140 mm
Density/Firmness: High
Logo: Customized
Color: Customized
OEM: According to buyer’s specifications
The EVA yoga foam roller is made by Nantong Iron Man Sporting Goods Co., Ltd. This foam roller is a combination of EVA foam and PVC core. It was designed to release trigger point areas of the body and loosen tight muscles.
Iron Master’s foam roller is just the right tool if you offer Pilates and yoga classes in your gym. It’s made for intermediate users that are used to the sensations of targeting trigger points.
Yanre FR40 EVA Yoga Column
Figure 6: Yanre FR40 EVA Yoga Column
Dimensions: 45 x 14 cm, 45 x 13 cm
Density/Firmness: Medium
Logo: Customized
Color: Customized
OEM: According to buyer’s specifications
The FR40 yoga column has been designed and patented by Shanghai Eastern Yanre Fitness Equipment Co., Ltd, another leading fitness equipment and accessories manufacturer in China.
The EVA yoga column is recommended for use in intermediate yoga classes. Yanre’s R&D team designed it for balance, flexibility, and strength enhancement. It also has palm, finger, and tip zones to help novice yogis master yoga poses and be familiar with each sensation.
Yanre’s FR40 can repel moisture and bacteria. Its non-slip surface is odor persistent, and the inner tube can be customized with an ABS protective guard.
YangFit Myofascial Massage Roller
Figure 7: YangFit Myofascial Massage Roller
Dimensions: 33 x 14 cm
Density/Firmness: High
Logo: Customized
Color: Purple, Orange, Black, Pink
OEM: According to buyer’s specifications
The Myofascial Massage Roller by Yang Fit Co., Limited is perfect for use after high-intensity training. The foam roller is specifically made to massage and relieve tightened muscles during workouts. It is lightweight at just 800g and is made of PVC tube coated with EVA foam.
Chenhong EVA foam roller
Figure 8: Chenhong EVA foam roller
Dimensions: 30 x 15cm, 45 x 15xm, 60 x 15cm, 90 x 15 cm
Density/Firmness: High
Logo: Customized
Color: Purple, Orange, Black, Pink
OEM: According to buyer’s specifications
The Chenhong EVA foam roller is made for self-myofascial release (SMR) techniques of massage, yoga, and core stabilization training. The roller is suitable for gyms that offer classes for seniors and physical rehabilitation services for athletes.
It’s a solid foam roller and thus can be quite heavy but still is a good tool for loosening the muscles and easing the painful sensations in the body.
Mylon Foam Roller Starter Kit
Figure 9: Mylon Foam Roller Starter Kit
Dimensions: 12 x 24 cm, 10 x 20 cm, 8 x 16 cm
Density/Firmness: Low
Logo: Customized
Color: Black, Blue, Purple, Red, Speckled Dots
OEM: According to buyer’s specifications
Since this is a foam roller starter kit, you will have 4 pcs of foam rollers in one set. It comes with a massage ball, peanut shape roller, lacrosse, and the typical cylinder foam roller. The foam roller kit is suitable for gyms and health and wellness facilities that offer physical rehab services and cater to the physical fitness of seniors.
The foam rollers are made of EPP which gives it flexibility, water and chemical resistance, and 100% recyclability properties.
Shanghai Fitness Foam Roller
Figure 10: Shanghai Fitness Foam Roller
Dimensions: 12 x 24 cm, 10 x 20 cm, 8 x 16 cm
Density/Firmness: High
Logo: Customized
Color: Black, Blue, Purple, Red, Speckled Dots
OEM: According to buyer’s specifications
As its name implies, this foam roller is manufactured by Shanghai Fitness Sourcing Inc and is made of EPP foam. EPP is water-resistant and is usually low density which makes it lighter than other types of foam rollers.
The Shanghai Fitness foam roller can be used for occasional massage and muscle loosening activities. It is suitable for releasing chronic pains in the neck, back, legs, and arms.
GoFit Foam Roller
Figure 11: GoFit Foam Roller
Dimensions: 6” x 18”, 6” x 24”, 6” x 36”
Density/Firmness: High
Logo: GoFit
Color: Red, Gray, Blue
OEM: Not applicable
GoFit foam roller is exclusively made by and branded by Johnson Health Tech. Co., Ltd., a multinational company based in Taiwan. The foam roller is recommended for warmups and cooldowns in your gym during any kind of workout. It will come with a training manual that your instructors at the gym can use to maximize the benefits of the foam roller.
IyogaSports Pebble Surface Foam Roller
Figure 12: IyogaSports Pebble Surface Foam Roller
Dimensions: 91cm, 45cm, 30cm
Density/Firmness: High
Logo: Customized
Color: Black, Blue, Purple, Red, Orange, Custom
OEM: According to buyer’s specifications
Made by Shanghai IyogaSports Industry Co., Ltd., the IyogaSports pebble surface roller has a hexagonal or circular 3mm textured body. Its dotted surface intends to give an acupuncture massage as well as loosen tight muscles and relieve pain. The foam roller is suitable for beginners to advanced exercisers in your gym.
Rise High-Density Foam Roller
Figure 13: Rise High-Density Foam Roller
Dimensions: 15 x 30 cm, 15 x 45cm, 15 x 60 cm, 15 x 90 cm
Density/Firmness: High
Logo: Customized
Color: Black and Speckled color
OEM: According to buyer’s specifications
Rise’s foam roller is made of EEP and is as light as 500g. The package includes a carrier bag for each foam roller ordered. The EPP material gives it extra firmness for advanced users. The foam roller can support weight or force of up to 300 lbs. it is manufactured by Rise Group Co., Ltd. That’s based in Shanghai, China.
You’ve got a taste of what China manufacturers can do and the high-quality foam rollers they produce. You can take your pick from these foam roller brands. But before calling them up, you should first know the specifics of the foam roller you need for your gym.
6. Takeaways
Before you jump into procuring a bulk of foam rollers for your gym, it is a cardinal rule to know exactly what you need. The types of material used, size, and other specifications greatly affect the performance and efficiency of a foam roller. So, be wise in selecting which one best fits your clients.
With the inside information we gave you on who makes premium quality foam roller brands in the market, now you won’t have to pull too much money from your bank.
Among all these manufacturers listed, only a handful of manufacturers like Yanre Fitness can do the job well. So, get your fingers busy now and call or reach Yanre Fitness for the foam roller you need for your gym.
Related reading: top 10 gym equipment brands in China
Related articles:
