OPTP PRO-Roller Soft Density Foam Roller – Low Density Soft Foam Roller for Physical Therapy, Pilates, Yoga Foam Roll Exercises, and Muscle Recovery - Blue 18" x 6"

I purchased this to massage my mid/high back as it sometimes aches. I stand up against a wall and place it between my back and the wall. I squat and stand a few times and amazingly it makes my back feel better immediately. I tried a couple other brands but they were far too hard. This one is not squishy soft, but is softer and does not feel like I am rolling on hard plastic. I think it is the perfect firmness for what I need. Also, the size is perfect. I try to use it nightly before bed as I can feel the results immediately.

I "could" take a harder roller, but why should I? Overall my quads prefer this to a "hard foam" roller, and any tender spots will thank you for this one.I'm a myofascial release therapist by trade. More recent research has shown that tissues actually respond better to softer materials/tools. Not sure why so many people, trainers, etc continue to use or promote "harder is better" for soft tissue therapy. The "no pain, no gain" mindset often lead us into pain in the first place. It rarely helps us out of pain, and a softer tool can be "just as" or even "more" effective. On top of that, if you're one of many (like most of my clients) who stopped foam rolling because it hurts too much, what's the point? Try a softer tool and see how that works for you.Overall, its not "too" soft. It gives on top, and has a firm, foam center. What's also nice, is it can kinda of grab and drag your tissue a bit - just like some myofascial release techniques. It's similar to the Melt roller, but larger diameter, and maybe slightly different material, giving it a slightly different feel (yet more similar than any standard roller). If you use Yoga Tune-up balls (my other/maybe more favorite rolling device), it's softer than new balls, but kinda like very well-worn balls. I like the shorter length, vs Melt or a regular roller, so I'm not bumping into my furniture with it.

Love this roller! First used it in PT and asked for the name of it. They originally had me using a harder one, but since I have fibromyalgia, I couldn't take the hardness of the roller against my opposing leg. Another therapist heard me and brought out this one. It's wonderful! Now I can effectively and more painlessly work out the tight muscles and spasms in my body without causing more pain. Although this roll is softer, it doesn't affect the density and effectiveness of the inner material. It does the job! Would highly recommend for people with fibro!

It was so light I thought the box it came in was empty. It did not put my rib back into place like a squeeze ball eventually did pushing on a chair back. It is ok. The high density roller was too hard and all vertebrae were affected so I tried this soft kind. I will see if I can direct it to only the rib area and see if that helps. It may depend on the person if it will be right for them.

I have been trying many rollers lately, and they are all hard and hurtful on my back. This one has the perfect softness, and durability. It is plenty sturdy, and snaps back to shape after use. It is not too soft as that would be too spongy and not supportive. Most all of these reviews have indicated exactly how the roller performs. It is perfect.

I'd been using a medium-hard foam roller for a couple of months (based upon the recommendation of a physical therapist, for pain in my knees) and it was SO painful. Everybody told me to hang in there, it'll get better, etc. It didn't. And after a while, I wondered why I was putting myself through so much pain in order to get rid of pain. I wasn't getting anywhere. I thought a softer roller might work better. This one is great -- no pain when using it. So I'm happy with the purchase. (But honestly, I really don't think foam rolling with a hard or soft roller is getting rid of my primary pain. I think taking a break from the activity that causes the pain is the only solution. But in the meantime, this soft roller feels like a light massage instead of like I'm rolling on a hard log.)

This is a much more comfortable roller than the hard foam ones I've used in the past. It's firm enough to be effective without the pain of a hard roller. I use it on my upper back with great relief.

I purchased this to do some physical therapy exercises because I thought it would be a little less painful than the hard roller I had for deep muscle massage. This roller was a hard as the one I already had. I have to place a pillow between my knee and the roller, which makes taking it with me anywhere requires the added item to lug around. I would not recommend this to anyone who is in need of a soft roll. This could no way be used as a neck support pillow.