Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

TB12 vibrating pliability roller review: Is this upgraded roller worth the money?

Read a personal trainer's thoughts on this advanced foam roller

TB12 foam roller
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Recovery is a vital part of being healthy, and it can frequently be neglected. Many people focus on exercise and nutrition when they wish to lose weight or gain muscle, but the body can’t function optimally without proper recovery. Luckily, there are tools like a foam roller to help!

4 benefits of using foam rollers

1. Decrease muscle inflammation

Foam rollers may be a simple piece of equipment, but they actually have the ability to get your body to increase its production of anti-inflammatory proteins. This helps boost muscle recovery and reduce soreness.

2. Increase blood flow

As you roll the foam roller against your body, it pushes the blood around in the tissue. When this happens, the body sends new, oxygenated blood to the area, therefore promoting blood flow.

3. Accessible

Foam rollers are one of the cheaper pieces of workout equipment, especially when it comes to recovery tools. They also can last for years before needing to be replaced, so they are fairly accessible to everyone.

4. Easy to use

Foam rollers are a very straightforward piece of equipment, considering you only need to roll them along specific muscles for them to work. They are also lightweight and generally compact, so you can store them nearly anywhere. You may also be able to take the smaller rollers with you when traveling or in a bag or to the gym.

TB12 foam roller.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What makes the TB12 foam roller different?

The primary difference between a standard foam roller and the TB12 foam roller is that it has numerous vibration settings that you can use. This recovery tool was inspired by Tom Brady, and he helped design it for those who want to take their post-workout foam roller exercises to the next level.

Vibration helps soothe muscles and supply quicker recovery by promoting reduced tightness and increased body temperature and blood circulation.

Pros

  • Vibrations increase the effectiveness of using a foam roller
  • Has four settings
  • Can still be used as a standard foam roller
  • Made from high-quality materials

Cons

  • On the smaller side
  • Quite expensive

My honest opinion on if you should buy the TB12 foam roller

As a personal trainer, I have had a lot of exposure to different people’s experiences when it comes to exercising. Everyone is unique, but I think we can all agree that recovery is necessary for every person, no matter the intensity of their workout regimen.

Whether you wish to primarily use a foam roller for back relief or a foam roller for legs, foam rollers can really help with reducing tightness in the body; helping you feel your best for your next gym session.

The TB12 foam roller costs $160, making it very costly compared to the average price of $20 for a standard foam roller that doesn’t have the vibration feature. So is it worth it? With over 160 reviews giving it 4.5/5 stars, it can be agreed that it’s a quality product. However, considering the price, I think it’s only worth shelling out the extra $100+ if you’re an athlete or generally very active and know that you will use it multiple times a week.

Christine VanDoren
Christine is a certified personal trainer and nutritionist with an undergraduate degree from Missouri State University. Her…
Incline dumbbell press: Form, tips, and more
Everything you need to know about the incline dumbbell press
Man doing incline chest press.

 

Are you looking for the ideal push-day workout routine for your chest day? Well, the incline dumbbell press, also called the incline chest press or incline dumbbell chest press, is a viable option. This free-weight exercise involves using two dumbbells while sitting on an incline or adjustable bench. 

Read more
Best Peloton Prime Day deals: Ellipticals, bikes, treadmills, more
Peloton Bike rear view.

It's Day Two of Prime Day, and the deals remain abundant. Peloton gear is extremely popular during Prime Day, which makes sense because the brand has really made a name for itself and popularized smart exercise equipment that streams fitness classes on internet-connected touchscreens. We expect the same high level of demand for this year's Peloton Prime Day deals, so you'll have to hurry with your purchase if you're searching for exercise bike deals, treadmill deals, and rowing machine deals that feature the brand's products. To help you out, we've highlighted our favorite offer below, plus all of the other bargains that we love -- make your choice quickly as stocks may already be selling out.
Our top pick: Best Peloton Prime Day deal

Peleton indoor exercise bike --

Read more
Best NordicTrack Prime Day deals: exercise bikes and treadmills
NordicTrack Commercial X32i Treadmill

Prime Day is over but many NordicTrack deals continue. We've spent some time focusing on what deals are still out there so you can save plenty of cash on NordicTrack treadmills and exercise bikes while still getting the most out of the best cardio workouts. If that sounds like what you want to do, keep reading while we take you through all the best NordicTrack deals happening right now. Just bear in mind that the sales are likely to end super soon given that Prime Day is behind us now.
Best NordicTrack treadmill Prime Day deals

NordicTrack is one of the most trusted names in the fitness industry when it comes to treadmills, so we expect a lot of demand for NordicTrack treadmill Prime Day deals. These exercise machines don't come cheap, so you wouldn't want to let this opportunity to get one with huge savings slip through your fingers. Whether you want a basic model or you're thinking about investing in a top-of-the-line treadmill, there's something from the offers below that will match your needs.

Read more