When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Heres how it works.

Need to reduce some tension in your upper body and relieve back stiffness?

This 10-minute foam rolling routine should do the trick, and all you need is one piece of equipment.

a woman performing an ab routine with a foam roller

Obviously, you’re going to want one of thebest foam rollersto get the most from this routine.

The relaxing routine by Julia Reppel can also be done with a massage ball if you prefer.

Heres how to do it, plus the benefits.

10 Min. Upper Body Foam Rolling For Recovery | Follow Along, No Talking - YouTube

Reppel advises against using it as a warm-up.

The video is follow-along without talking.

Youll perform each exercise for 50 seconds and take 12 seconds of rest between.

Arrow

Doing so will still offer a lower back release without placing undue pressure on the lumbar spine.

Youll start with the mid-upper back, then move to the lats, external rotators and rear delts.

Verdict

Foam rolling shouldnt be a one-off if youre looking for the best results.

Arrow

Fascia (connective tissue) wraps and supports muscles, tissues and bones.

Its worth a reminder that you should stop immediately if you experience prolonged or sharp pain.

Think deep-tissue massage vibes.

Amazon Basics High Density…

verify you check out our guide tofoam roller workoutsfor further inspiration.

More from Tom’s Guide

GoFit Foam Roller and Manual…

Hyperice Vyper 3.0

PGA TOUR Superstore

Gaiam Restore Muscle Therapy…

DICK’S Sporting Goods

GoFit Foam roller in Blue |…

Gaiam Restore Muscle Therapy…

CVS Health

GoFit Ultimate Foam Roller -…

Target

Muscle Roller

Myprotein (US)

Hyperice - Vyper 3 Vibrating…

Best Buy

Woman performing a back stretch in upward facing dog on yoga mat by the water during stretching routine

a woman stretching on a mat

Woman kneeling with hands on hips at the gym studio in activewear

woman doing yoga stretch of back

a woman in cobra pose on a yoga mat

Crab walk: Man in a park sitting down with knees bent and hands placed behind his hips

Man doing kettlebell exercise

a woman bending into a forward fold on an exercise mat

Saucony Endorphin Elite 2

woman doing resistance band workout

Man using exercise bike

female runner checking her running watch

iPhone 16 Pro Max, Galaxy S25 Ultra and Pixel 9 Pro

A person holding a Nintendo Switch 2 playing Mario Kart World

2025 Rivian R1S Tri-Motor test drive review.

ChatGPT generated image

Garmin Vivoactive 6 in emerald green with the Morning Report shown on the screen

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves