Can I Use a Yoga Mat as a Foam Roller

geokilla [OP]: Deal Expert; Mar 1, 2008; 15455 posts; 4653 upvotes; Toronto, Ontario

Apr 11th, 2013 9:26 pm

Yoga Mat and Foam Roller Recommendation

I'm looking to purchase a yoga mat and foam roller for those foam rolling purposes to release some stress in my muscles and restore some flexibility. I've worked out on and off in the back, and I think another reason for me not doing so well with working out is because of my limited flexibility. If you tell me to touch my toes right now, I have to bend my legs in order to do that, and I feel the stretch in my calves instead of my hamstrings. Plus, yoga and pilates is cool and fun to do anyways, though I don't see myself doing a lot of yoga and Pilates. At least not initially.

So, can someone recommend me a yoga mat and foam roller? Ideally, the cheaper the better, but I'm willing to spend up to $70 if the quality is worth it. So far, I checked out Lululemon and $50/$70 for a yoga mat is very expensive. I can buy the a yoga mat and foam roller at Canadian Tire for $40 + tax, but the quality doesn't seem to be there as the yoga mat is just made up of foam with no latex, which according to the saleswoman at Lululemon, it can be slippery? She said I don't want something that is too thin or light either. Doing my own research, it seems that I want EVA material matter when purchasing a foam roller? It says that it helps the foam roller retain its shape and stuff.. Dunno if that's marketing BS or actual good quality foam rollers. Same goes for the yoga mat, where having an eco friendly mat seems to be very important? The fact that it's recyclable and doesn't contain PVC seems to be the reasons why it's so expensive..
These are the two foam roller and yoga mat that I'm planning to buy. Seems good? Or should I go for the cheaper one?

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B001HX3 ... YIK6Y9EEQB
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B002QBV ... YIK6Y9EEQB
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B001AUY ... d_i=915398

Total cost with Manduka: $73 including tax. Man that's pricey..

I spend too much time on this site

Apr 11th, 2013 9:44 pm

EbonyRose: Deal Addict; Jul 2, 2008; 1982 posts; 186 upvotes; Toronto

Apr 11th, 2013 9:44 pm

Check out Sears outlet, Winners, etc. They sometimes have very good mats for $10-30. I stockpiled mats from Sears a few years back. They were selling thick eco Gaiam ones with nice designs for $10 a pop. I use to go to hot yoga daily and my first one isn't even worn yet.

Apr 11th, 2013 10:49 pm

geokilla [OP]: Deal Expert; Mar 1, 2008; 15455 posts; 4653 upvotes; Toronto, Ontario

Apr 11th, 2013 10:49 pm

I don't really want to wait for a sale though. And definitely not interested in driving to a Sears or Winners every week just to hope they go on sale. However I'll check out the Sears at Eatons tomorrow! And still wondering about the eco yoga mat thing.

I spend too much time on this site

Apr 11th, 2013 11:44 pm

EbonyRose: Deal Addict; Jul 2, 2008; 1982 posts; 186 upvotes; Toronto

Apr 11th, 2013 11:44 pm

geokilla wrote: ↑I don't really want to wait for a sale though. And definitely not interested in driving to a Sears or Winners every week just to hope they go on sale. However I'll check out the Sears at Eatons tomorrow! And still wondering about the eco yoga mat thing.

Nah, Winners actually has them for cheaper than most stores regularly. I remember seeing the foam rollers for $10-20 if my memory is right. The whole eco thing is mainly a business ploy to make money, because they assume most people who do yoga are tree huggers, so they might as well capitalize on it. Eco or not, your yoga mat will be fine usage wise. Just pick one of decent thickness and feel the material, if it feels sturdy, you're good. You're not going to be doing super complicated poses. You're just starting out, don't over think things. Once you get advanced, you can worry about the gimmicks. If I was in GTA, I'd sell you one of mine. I still have four or five unopened ones.

Apr 12th, 2013 12:36 am

ippon: Deal Fanatic; Sep 24, 2005; 9454 posts; 1002 upvotes; N/A

Apr 12th, 2013 12:36 am

yep, see a bunch of yogi gear at winners at good prices.
i still want to buy a hard roller though like this one, as some foams can degrade fast and get too soft.
http://www.amazon.ca/Trigger-Point-Perf ... ard+roller

thought about making one out of ABS piping, but hardware stores don't have piping that's wide enough.

"Children see magic because they look for it."

Apr 13th, 2013 3:36 pm

steven_s: Deal Addict; Aug 4, 2007; 1255 posts; 76 upvotes; Toronto

Apr 13th, 2013 3:36 pm

if you've never used foam roller reg ones will be sufficient.

TP is next step up. Then rumble roller. Then lacrosse ball. Then RMT.

Apr 17th, 2013 5:13 pm

geokilla [OP]: Deal Expert; Mar 1, 2008; 15455 posts; 4653 upvotes; Toronto, Ontario

Apr 17th, 2013 5:13 pm

Went to two Winners stores today. No yoga mats It seems that Future Shop sells them online though. Quite unexpected..

Anyways, looks like I'll have to purchase online.

I spend too much time on this site

Apr 17th, 2013 7:34 pm

ippon: Deal Fanatic; Sep 24, 2005; 9454 posts; 1002 upvotes; N/A

Apr 17th, 2013 7:34 pm

geokilla wrote: ↑Went to two Winners stores today. No yoga mats It seems that Future Shop sells them online though. Quite unexpected..

Anyways, looks like I'll have to purchase online.

are you sure there was nothing at winners?
what section did you check?
all the yoga stuff is at the WOMEN'S section, so really easy for the dudes to miss.

"Children see magic because they look for it."

Apr 17th, 2013 7:46 pm

geokilla [OP]: Deal Expert; Mar 1, 2008; 15455 posts; 4653 upvotes; Toronto, Ontario

Apr 17th, 2013 7:46 pm

ippon wrote: ↑are you sure there was nothing at winners?
what section did you check?
all the yoga stuff is at the WOMEN'S section, so really easy for the dudes to miss.

I walked around the isle at a workout section they had by the men's area. The store ain't big. Looked at the women's section from afar but I saw nothing that looked like sporting or active clothing. Maybe I'll go to a different one tomorrow..

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Apr 17th, 2013 8:45 pm

ippon: Deal Fanatic; Sep 24, 2005; 9454 posts; 1002 upvotes; N/A

Apr 17th, 2013 8:45 pm

geokilla wrote: ↑I walked around the isle at a workout section they had by the men's area. The store ain't big. Looked at the women's section from afar but I saw nothing that looked like sporting or active clothing. Maybe I'll go to a different one tomorrow..

go have a look around the area behind cosmetics.
i've never not seen yoga stuff at winners.

"Children see magic because they look for it."

Apr 18th, 2013 2:22 am

fox155: Sr. Member; Jan 11, 2010; 773 posts; 123 upvotes

Apr 18th, 2013 2:22 am

Is amazon the best place to get a foam roller? Browsed online and I think they can be found at walmart or sears for ~$20

Apr 18th, 2013 4:55 pm

geokilla [OP]: Deal Expert; Mar 1, 2008; 15455 posts; 4653 upvotes; Toronto, Ontario

Apr 18th, 2013 4:55 pm

Went to another one... Found tons of foam rollers and yoga mats! Thanks! Total was like $45 though

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Apr 18th, 2013 10:07 pm

ippon: Deal Fanatic; Sep 24, 2005; 9454 posts; 1002 upvotes; N/A

Apr 18th, 2013 10:07 pm

geokilla wrote: ↑Went to another one... Found tons of foam rollers and yoga mats! Thanks! Total was like $45 though

if you think that's too much, return it and check kijiji.

"Children see magic because they look for it."

Apr 18th, 2013 11:17 pm

nano: Deal Fanatic; Jan 13, 2005; 7766 posts; 163 upvotes

Apr 18th, 2013 11:17 pm

The Winners location at Laird and Eglinton has a big fitness section before you get to the escalator.

Apr 25th, 2013 10:44 am

mic2074: Deal Fanatic; Jul 13, 2005; 7157 posts; 1357 upvotes

Apr 25th, 2013 10:44 am

ippon wrote: ↑yep, see a bunch of yogi gear at winners at good prices.
i still want to buy a hard roller though like this one, as some foams can degrade fast and get too soft.
http://www.amazon.ca/Trigger-Point-Perf ... ard+roller

thought about making one out of ABS piping, but hardware stores don't have piping that's wide enough.

I made a foam roller last month - works pretty well. 4" ABS pipping from home hardware (they're the only place that sells it by the foot). Bought two foot of it for like $5 - then bought cheaper yoga mat from dollarama for like $3... wrap around the pipping - and there you go. All for under $10.

Apr 25th, 2013 11:29 am

ippon: Deal Fanatic; Sep 24, 2005; 9454 posts; 1002 upvotes; N/A

Apr 25th, 2013 11:29 am

mic2074 wrote: ↑I made a foam roller last month - works pretty well. 4" ABS pipping from home hardware (they're the only place that sells it by the foot). Bought two foot of it for like $5 - then bought cheaper yoga mat from dollarama for like $3... wrap around the pipping - and there you go. All for under $10.

thanks!!! i've been to all of big 3, and none had what i wanted.
gonna do that soon. i was thinking of using black hockey tape instead of something soft.

"Children see magic because they look for it."

Apr 25th, 2013 11:35 am

mic2074: Deal Fanatic; Jul 13, 2005; 7157 posts; 1357 upvotes

Apr 25th, 2013 11:35 am

ippon wrote: ↑thanks!!! i've been to all of big 3, and none had what i wanted.
gonna do that soon. i was thinking of using black hockey tape instead of something soft.

oh, I dont' know about you... but without something soft - it would be too hard for my liking.

Apr 25th, 2013 11:46 am

ippon: Deal Fanatic; Sep 24, 2005; 9454 posts; 1002 upvotes; N/A

Apr 25th, 2013 11:46 am

mic2074 wrote: ↑oh, I dont' know about you... but without something soft - it would be too hard for my liking.

i enjoy something hard behind my back.

"Children see magic because they look for it."

May 2nd, 2013 6:59 pm

jarko: Deal Addict; Jun 8, 2008; 3247 posts; 578 upvotes; GTA

May 2nd, 2013 6:59 pm

Not sure if posted but try the rumbleroller, some might say that a regular foam roller is better for beginners but I ignored that fact and just went with the rumble roller, although extremely painful the first dozen times or so I could really feel a relief in my problem spots such as IT Band / glutes.