I’ve Been a Runner For 12 Years — This Vibrating Roller Helps Me Recover Best

I’ve used so many foam rollers throughout my 12-year running career that I’ve grown accustomed to thinking of them like friends. There’s the firm, purple mid-size one that’s currently in my storage unit (my oldest pal), the soft blue Melt Method model that’s super-flexible and made with memory compression (my current bestie), and then all of my acquaintances — the rollers I relied on at the gyms I’ve joined. Those weren’t all mine, but I did have my favorites.

When I learned about Therabody‘s innovative Wave Roller ($149), a smart, vibrating iteration that can be coupled with personalized massage routines via the Therabody app, I could barely contain my excitement. This was a potential friend I wanted to get to know. I roll out after each and every one of my runs, since plenty of injuries and time at physical therapy have taught me the importance of stretching and mobility work. Needless to say, I got into the nitty-gritty when it came to testing this product for its full range of capabilities, benefits, and unique specs that make it stand out on the market.

Ahead, read my full review of the Therabody Wave Roller, and learn the answers to the most-asked questions about the device.

What Are the Benefits of Using the Therabody Wave Roller?

The benefits of using the Therabody Wave Roller become clear the moment you graduate from a standard foam roller to this smart, vibrating device. The superior speed and massage work can help you relieve muscle tension and soreness on a deeper level — not only are you using your body weight to target specific areas as you move, the vibration is assisting in the process. What’s more, the innovative wave texture carved into the foam has a purpose: it adds extra dimension to help you massage your body at varied angles, while also providing traction. Of course, when you bring the app capabilities into the mix, you have accessible routines at your fingertips, so you barely even have to think as you watch the tutorials and roll out your body.

How Does the Therabody Wave Roller Work?

The Therabody Wave Roller is an extremely easy product to use. To turn it on, press the power button for about two seconds, and it will automatically start vibrating on the lowest of five settings. I typically increase speed to level three by pressing the + on the side of the power button. You can place the roller underneath your desired treatment area and perform a range of movements, some of which I demonstrate in the above GIF. For more ideas, you can navigate the app and enjoy guided routines and foam roller tutorials. To turn the Wave Roller off, firmly press and hold the power button for a few seconds until it stops vibrating. One hot tip? Choose firm ground or a supportive mat in your home where there aren’t a lot of loose objects nearby. I tend to clear shaky candle holders and delicate knickknacks from my nearby coffee table before getting started, since the vibration is powerful — especially as you increase levels.

What is the Battery Life of the Therabody Wave Roller?

The Therabody Wave Roller has a battery life of three hours for sustained use. You can charge the 12V internal lithium-ion battery with the power adapter that comes in the package and plugs in easily to the port at the side of the device. The LED light will continue to flash until it’s fully charged, then it will turn solid green. You can check the battery level at any time on the LED light when the device is turned on, and you can briefly push the power button to view the battery level when it’s off.

Is the Therabody Wave Roller Worth the Price?

I personally feel the Therabody Wave Roller is worth the price. I’ve been a runner for over 12 years, consistently using all sorts of foam rollers as a method of recovery, and I can confidently say this one delivers the greatest impact out of the ones I’ve tried. The powerful vibrations helps me apply additional pressure where necessary, digging into my larger muscle groups even more firmly than a standard foam roller ever could. The one caveat? Many reviewers note how much smaller the Wave Roller is than standard foam rollers, which can be as much as double the size. (See above photo with my Melt Soft Foam Roller for comparison.) In the past, I’ve been able to massage both quads or hamstrings at the same time with a longer roller, but that’s not possible with just 12 inches of space.

Can the Therabody Wave Roller Help With Muscle Soreness?

Foam rolling is absolutely a gentle way to relieve muscle soreness and increase blood flow to the area. Jake Harcoff, CSCS, a NSCA-certified strength and conditioning coach and the head coach and owner of AIM Athletic, previously told PS that foam rolling “is a type of self-myofascial release. Using a foam roller to apply pressure to your muscles can help release tension, alleviate pain, as well as release knots and adhesions.”

However, Harcoff mentioned that proper form is key to avoiding further injury. “The pressure of the roller against your muscles should be firm, but not painful. When you’re in pain, your body goes into protection mode, which results in muscle-clenching,” he says. Being that the Wave Roller vibrates, it’s important to work slowly and keep the device in the desired position, on the specific muscle you’re targeting. If you lose grip, you may be sacrificing form, which could affect your progress.

Additional Details:

Where is the Therabody Wave Roller Available?

The Therabody Wave Roller is available on the brand’s site and at Walmart, Neiman Marcus, Target, Backcountry, and Best Buy.

★★★★☆

Sarah Wasilak is the associate director of Shopping at PS. With plenty of experience in the commerce market, a keen interest in SEO, and 10 years as an editor at the brand, she enjoys writing across the lifestyle and health-and-fitness categories. She has bylines at PS, InStyle, Elle, Refinery29, Who What Wear, Elite Daily, Byrdie, and The Quality Edit and aims to amplify minority voices in all her work.