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.

Recommended Videos

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…
How Hyatt’s new Peloton collaboration helps you stay fit while traveling
Stay motivated to get a killer workout on every trip
Hyatt Peloton Program

Launched late last year, World of Hyatt and Peloton have joined forces to offer an innovative and meaningful collaboration for health-focused travelers. The unique Hyatt Peloton points program allows World of Hyatt members to earn points on qualifying equipment-based Peloton workouts on-property at over 700 participating hotels worldwide. This one-of-a-kind program motivates travelers to stay committed to their fitness routines, even while traveling.

I chatted with TJ Abrams, Vice President of Global Wellbeing at Hyatt, to learn more about the exciting initiative. He shared what he admires about this unique partnership and the background story behind the initiative.
The story behind the Hyatt x Peloton collab

Read more
How to do lateral raises the right way
The dos and dont's of lateral raises
Man doing lateral raises

Lateral raises are a fundamental part of any shoulder workout routine. When you want to hit your deltoid muscles, this versatile move really helps enhance shoulder width and strength for those bulging boulder shoulders. Incorporating lateral raises into your workout regimen can contribute to a balanced upper body and better overall shoulder stability.

Today, many of us spend a lot of time with our arms forward in front of us and our shoulders and spines hunched over our phones or computers. I love the feeling after strengthening and stretching my shoulders, and moves like lateral raises and simple shoulder stretches help relieve shoulder discomfort I have from sitting or working for many hours.

Read more
How many sets should you be lifting for muscle growth in older age? New study
There are plenty of reasons to try resistance training in your later years.
Man wearing blue tank sitting in gym doing dumbbell concentration curl on bench

Even if you start lifting weights later in life, research continues to support the benefits. Committing to one year of heavy resistance training has been proven to provide benefits that can last for four years. People often say, “I’m too old for that,” but this mounting research is another reason we shouldn't let age hold us back from swelling those muscles. Recently, researchers analyzed the effects of resistance training on people 65 years old and over. Let’s look at the study and the proven benefits of resistance training and picking up those dumbbells.
The study

In the review and meta-analysis published in Experimental Gerontology, researchers set out to explore the effects of resistance training on muscle hypertrophy in adults aged 65 and up. Muscle hypertrophy refers to an increase in muscle size. The researchers looked at changes in quadriceps muscle size, lean mass, and fiber area, and they considered factors like age, training volume, and training duration. 

Read more