GoRoll Review

Since the early 1990’s and early 2000’s, foam rolling or self myofascial release has been recommended by massage therapists, physiotherapists and some advanced strength & conditioning coaches to improve or maintain tissue quality and as a means to promote recovery between training sessions or competitions.

For a history of foam rolling research, check out my “foam rolling research so-far” blog post HERE. This is in dire need of an update, so my apologies.

As self massage started to grow in popularity, so did the number of companies that produced self massage sticks, rollers and balls. A few months ago, I was approached by GoRoll, a company that designed a foam roller that also acts as a locker and bag. They sent me a free review model to test out, which was very kind of them.

Here are a few pictures of the product (sent to me via GoRoll and with their permission to use):

Taken from their website:

“The GoRoll is the first and only product of its kind designed to help you balance your daily demands and achieve your training goals. The GoRoll is uniquely designed with a hollow center that is both waterproof and lockable, offering you a secure place to store your valuables while you’re on the go. The GoRoll is made portable by a carry strap that detaches and doubles as a stretch strap. The GoRoll is available in three unique product designs to best meet your needs, whether you’re CrossFit training, working out at the beach, taking a bootcamp class in the park, hiking mountains, traveling, or heading to the yoga studio.”

My Thoughts

When I first received my GoRoll, I was impressed with the construction but unfortunately a strong plastic smell came from the inside of the roller after I removed the lockable end. This smell wore off over time but did affect the contents (clothing mostly) that I put into the roller during workouts. Apart from the manufactured smell, the GoRoll was constructed well and was highly durable during my testing.

As you’re probably aware, there are several sized rollers on the market. I found the circumference of the GoRoll to be a tad on the larger side. I found the Grid Trigger Point Roller (a different company and smaller sized roller) more favourable because I was able to hit my muscles with a little more precision. My muscles couldn’t tell the difference between the markings and indentations on the surface of the GoRoll.

The GoRoll also acts as a bag or carrier, but I found the cylindrical shape to be slightly awkward to fit most of the things I normally take to the gym e.g. shoes, clothes, post-workout shaker cup and other miscellaneous things. I would rather use an over the shoulder duffel bag that was able to fit a roller compared to using the roller as a bag itself. So for the average gym-goer, this product might not be practical, however, for a track athlete or someone going to play basketball at a court, this roller/bag might be beneficial. Most gyms now have foam rollers for their members to use, so bringing the GoRoll to the gym wouldn’t be necessary. However, locking your GoRoll on the sidelines while you run around a track or shoot hoops makes more sense.

So overall, I found this product effective at foam rolling, but I thought the circumference was a bit too large. It can be an effective carrier if you don’t need to carry too much stuff and if you’re not going to the gym. Thanks to GoRoll and the GoRoll team for letting me test out their product.

For more information, check out https://goroll.com.

Curtis Comerford

Personal Strength Training by Thomas King

I’m 34 and started at JKC in 2015. My wife joined while I was working away in 2015 and started making amazing progress while also completing exercises I’d never perform on my own. I felt I was missing out so I signed up. JKC helps in establishing goals while also having clear direction of what to do, and how, in each session. They also measure your progress which is another means of motivation! At other gyms I wouldn’t have a clear plan and would just use whatever equipment was free, it was hard to see any results. Between setting some personal bests and making good friends its hard to identify a favorite memory. One that does come to mind was when I hit my target goal/PB in both bench and squats in the same session, big day.

Craig McIssac

Personal Strength Training by Jon-Erik Kawamoto

I originally chose JKC to help me rehab following back surgery. JKC was the first gym where a trainer took the time to help me identify my goals and tailor my workouts to achieve them in a safe and doable manner. 🏋🏼 Jon & Thomas are both highly professional and knowledgeable. 👨🏼‍🎓 With their guidance and informative explanations 🗣 they have enabled me to reach my ever evolving goals. At JKC I’m guaranteed fun 😆, interesting 🙃 and diverse workouts, with Jon & Thomas forever supportive and encouraging. 👏🙌👍👊

Lloyd Hussey

I started at JKC in January of 2014 and I’m 67 years old. When I had my Initial Assessment, I knew – almost immediately – that Jon knew what he was doing and what he was talking about. I was overweight, out of shape, and in serious need of someone, like Jon, who could get me back on a fitness/conditioning routine that suited me, my age, my less than acceptable physical condition, my sometimes intermittent RA, and my need for a structured, consistent and yet flexible training and conditioning program that would work for me.

Fundamentally, if I made a choice at all with respect to JKC – it was to continue to come back each week. I have not been in a lot of gyms. To be honest, they used to intimidate me. What makes JKC different is their approach to each and every one of their clients. Jon and Thomas – and now Craig – tailor each training regime to the particular needs of each client. That ensures that the training regime will suit each client upon the start of training and changes as the client improves. It adjusts for any physical setbacks such as injuries and it adjusts for success. It is just that simple.

It is also the consistent encouragement that comes from Jon, Thomas and Craig. That voice that comes to you while you are in the middle of a particularly difficult set – rear-foot elevated split squats comes to mind immediately – that says “good job” or “keep it up” or “just a couple more reps.” To know, in that moment, that you are not alone and the trainer is paying attention to what you are doing. That is priceless for me.

Lisa Dobbin

JKC was recommended to me by a fellow runner. I was experiencing injuries, and feeling weak and fragile. When I started with JKC, Jon asked me about my goals and my focus. I wanted to concentrate specifically on running, and preventing injury. Jon developed a program for me that has enabled me to focus on my form and strength and has been flexible enough to enable me to train for many different races. I have been training with JKC for six years, and during that time I have enjoyed Jon and Thomas’s expertise in a very warm and supportive atmosphere.

Paul Heffernan

I have never previously seen the passion and level of care that Jon and Thomas bring to everyone who works out at JKC. Their knowledge, insight and skills are extraordinary, and they work with everyone individually to ensure the best possible results. The attention to detail and to every person’s specific requirements and goals, and the incredible, constant encouragement they provide, is, in my opinion, what truly distinguishes JKC from any other program in which I’ve participated. I am extremely pleased with the progress I’ve achieved thus far, and it’s largely attributable to Jon and Thomas and the approach they take to training and working with people.

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