First Look: Grid X Foam Roller

Triggerpoint the Grid X Foam Roller
Price: $50

Since rigidity and longevity are the hallmarks of a good recovery tool, the firmness of the Grid X roller is its main attraction. I’ve had several closed-cell foam rollers (the familiar foam cylinder), and after a few months the foam tires out.  Triggerpoint uses a dense foam and a plastic inner that inspires confidence in its rigidity. The Grid X has Triggerpoint’s iconic ridges that knead out the muscles in a real way, despite the feeling of rubbing your leg on a rumble strip. It can be a little painful, but the relief is worth it. The Grid X weighs a pound and a half and is 13 inches long. The shorter length lets you isolate your muscles and maneuver the roller into exactly the right place. 

 I’m always looking for a better myofascial release (which relieves tension in connective tissue), and there are some great products on the market that help one tailor their recovery to their own needs. This roller is twice as firm as Triggerpoint’s standard foam roller, the Grid, making it a great fit for runners who have a hard time getting their muscles to loosen up after training, like I do. Keep in mind the extra firmness may not be for everyone. Triggerpoint reports the Grid X is designed specifically to address tough trouble spots and help people with dense tissue.

The fifty dollar price tag seems a little steep, but the cost is offset by eliminating the cycle of semi-annual purchases when close-cell foam rollers finally give up the ghost. It’s a lesson I’ve learned over and over: buy a quality product once, or a less quality product over and over. Triggerpoint’s Grid X is a quality product.   

—Tim Nooney runs 60 miles per week, typically with a new piece of gear that Trail Runner makes him take along and review.