Fitness also means ensuring that as and while you workout, you also take enough rest and know how to col down. This means you must release the tension from your muscles to reduce soreness or tightness so your next workout session could be fruitful and without a pain. This where foam rollers can help you. They are cylindrical tools, that you must have seen in gym corners, used for self-myofascial release (SMR). This is a form of self massage.

So, what is the science behind foam roller?

Foam rolling focuses on myofascial release, targeting the fascia—a network of connective tissue covering your muscles. When fascia becomes tight due to physical trauma, inflammation, or scarring, it can restrict movement and cause discomfort. Foam rollers apply pressure to these tight areas, helping to:

• Reduce adhesions and knots
• Improve blood flow
• Break down scar tissue
• Enhance and range of motion

Is it really that effective? The effectiveness of foam rollers has been debated, but research offers some insights. Studies have shown that foam rolling:

Increases flexibility: Short-term gains in flexibility are noticeable, especially when foam rolling is part of a warm-up. Long-term improvements are also possible with consistent use.

Reduces muscle soreness: Rolling after workouts can ease delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS).

Enhances recovery: Post-exercise foam rolling accelerates muscle recovery compared to passive methods.

A study published in the Journal of Athletic Training highlighted that foam rolling post-workout improves muscle strength and proprioception (awareness of body position), making it a valuable recovery tool.

ALSO READ: Kickstart 2025: 10 Fitness Resolutions You Can Actually Keep

Benefits of Foam Rolling

• Increased Blood Flow: Promotes circulation, delivering oxygen and nutrients to muscles.
• Improved Flexibility: Prepares muscles for movement and enhances overall range of motion.
• Faster Recovery: Eases soreness and helps muscles recover faster after intense exercise.
• Mobility Enhancement: Improves joint function and movement.

How to Use a Foam Roller

Proper technique is key to reaping the benefits of foam rolling. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

• Target Tight Areas: Slowly roll over muscles, pausing on "hot spots" (tight or tender areas). Use gentle pressure.
• Breathe and Relax: Avoid tensing up. Let the roller do the work while you focus on relaxing.
• Small Movements: Focus on small, incremental movements instead of rolling the entire muscle length repetitively.
• Avoid Joints: Stick to soft tissues and avoid rolling directly over joints.
• Listen to Your Body: Foam rolling should not cause sharp pain. Adjust pressure as needed.

Choosing the Right Foam Roller

• Soft Foam Rollers: Ideal for beginners but less durable.
• Firm Foam Rollers: Provide deeper pressure for advanced users.
• Textured Rollers: Mimic hands-on massage techniques.
• Vibrating Rollers: Offer added intensity and can help with deep tissue release.

Prices range from as low as $5 to over $200, depending on features and build quality.

Where Foam Rollers Fit in Your Fitness Regime

Before Exercise: Improve blood flow and flexibility during warm-ups.

After Exercise: Speed up recovery and reduce soreness.

Daily Maintenance: Keep muscles and fascia in optimal condition, even on rest days.

"He walks like this because he's had a stroke and his spatial awareness, balance, strength and gait have all been affected," says a person who claims to be a 'Physical Therapist at a home healthcare, and claims to have a doctorate in his field with 14 years of experience. The video is posted on his Instagram channel @epistemiccrisis with 74.2k followers.

What Are His Claim About President Trump's Stroke?

He claims that the reason why President Trump is Did President Trump Have A Stroke? This 'Physical Therapist' Explains Why He Believes Soall across the red carpet in a video that plays in the background is because "he lacks the spatial awareness to stay on target or on the path in a straight line".

He further says, "This is because I believe he's had a stroke that's affected the left side of his brain and caused weakness on the right side of his body. When one side of your body is weaker than the other, it can become difficult to walk in a straight line anyone. But aside from the physical weakness, your balance is affected as well."

In fact, a 2021 study published in journal Healthcare notes that stroke is a major cause of disability worldwide and balance impairments are common disabling factors in patients with stroke, which could lead to falls.

However, as per the official medical records of the president, no such strokes were mentioned. His medical report pronounced him in "excellent health". The examination was done at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The report also emphasized that Trump maintains a "demanding daily schedule without restriction". Not only that, the report has gone so far to declare Trump's cardiac age as 14 years younger than his actual age after an electrocardiogram.

Read More: What Does Trump's Latest Health Checkup Reveal About Him?

Though the 'Physical Therapist' believes otherwise. He says that when he went back to Walter Reed for his checkup, it was a six-week follow-up for a stroke event that "he probably had over Labor Day". "A stroke on the left side of the brain would also explain why he talks nonsense so much more often nowadays and also why when he is fatigued after long travel like you see in that video, his speech is much slower, much quieter and much more slurred," he claims.

The 'Physical Therapist' further claims that being 80-years old, Trump is also experiencing age-related cognitive decline.

Read: Why Is This Doctor Asking President Trump To Take Alzheimer's Test?

Have Their Been Other Claims On President Trump's Health?

Previously, Dr Narinder Kapur, a consultant neuropsychologist and visiting professor at the University College London said that president's behavior over the last six months has been "quite odd and strange," as reported by Express, UK. He said that there may be a possibility of frontotemporal dementia, that the President must take a test for.

There were also claims about President's 'riddled with arthritis' condition and the need for a double hip replacement surgery. Furthermore, Kai Trump, president's granddaughter's latest Instagram post have also raised questions abut his health, especially the hand bruise.

Read: Kai Trump’s New Instagram Post Sparks Questions About Donald Trump’s Health And His Mysterious Hand Bruise

This is not the first time the 'Physical Therapist' from the account @epsitemiccrisis has made a claim about president Trump. In the past, he linked president's use of smaller stairs to climb to the aircraft with having a stroke. He said that he is using smaller sets of stair so "the public won't notice that he's had a stroke". He explains that when someone's had a stroke, it can involve paralysis of the perineal nerve. This bends your foot up towards your head during your walking. If this nerve is paralyzed, you get a "foot drop". He also claimed that the same thing happened with Joe Biden as he also changed with smaller sets of stairs.

However, none of his claims have been attributed, and the White House does medical reports do not corroborated any of such news.

Note: This piece is based on the claims made by the account @epistemiccrisis. Health And Me does not authenticate any of these claims.

We all know working out had great benefits, but do you also sometimes feel too lazy to go to the gym? Well, you can now work out at your home. For many, the idea of hitting the gym, or waiting for your turn to use the machine, or just dealing with crowd in general could derail the motivation. But, the good news is that there are tools you can buy and set your own home gym.

Bollywood actor Kareena Kapoor Khan's fitness trainer Mahesh Ghanekar also swears by such high-impact equipment. We have shortlisted 8 must have home gym tools from his list that you must have!

Dumbbells

This is a classic one, but is of course a classic strength builder. If there’s one piece of equipment that should top your list, it’s a good pair of dumbbells. Ghanekar recommends a range from 2.5 kg to 20 kg, depending on your level.

Dumbbells help target every major muscle group, from shoulders to glutes, and can be used for both toning and compound movements like squats and presses. Studies also show that free-weight exercises with dumbbells improve muscle coordination and strength more effectively than machines.

Kettlebell

Another classic, and it helps with both strength and endurance. It is compact, but the impact is powerful. They are a great equipment for dynamic movements like swings, snatches, and squats. Ghanekar suggests that you can start with a 5 to 12 kg kettlebell for home use.

Resistance Bands

While they seem easy, they are the best equipment for portable gym. They are most versatile and space-saving workout tools. You can use them for strength training, stretching, or even rehabilitation.

According to Ghanekar, they’re perfect for beginners and advanced exercisers alike because they engage stabilizing muscles and improve flexibility, all without putting too much strain on joints.

Jump Rope

The best way to do cardio at home is by jumping rope. A jump rope is one of the best cardio tools you can own. It enhances coordination, burns calories fast, and boosts cardiovascular health.

Just ten minutes of skipping can match the benefits of a 30-minute jog, says Ghanekar. It’s small, portable, and easy to store, making it an ideal home essential.

Adjustable Bench

An adjustable bench allows you to perform a variety of exercises like presses, step-ups, or core work.

Ghanekar says that the incline and decline positions help activate different muscle areas, especially the chest and arms, allowing a more rounded strength routine at home.

Yoga Mat

A yoga mat is more than just for yoga. It’s a must-have for stretching, pilates, or even bodyweight exercises.

Ghanekar recommends investing in a thick, non-slip mat to improve posture, prevent injuries, and create a dedicated space for mindfulness and recovery.

Foam Roller

Post-workout recovery is as important as training. A foam roller helps release tight muscles, improve circulation, and prevent soreness.

Ghanekar says regular foam rolling can enhance flexibility and speed up recovery, allowing you to stay consistent with your workouts.

Stepper

A simple stepper or aerobic platform is a great way to tone your legs, improve balance, and get your heart pumping.

Ghanekar highlights that stepping workouts improve lower-body endurance and cardiovascular fitness, and can even reduce body fat when done consistently.

Walking has a lot of benefits, we already know that. However, how much should one walk? a recent study among older people revealed that if seniors could achieve a 4,000 steps goal in one to two days in a week, they would lower their risk of early deaths by a quarter.

This study was led by Harvard University, and published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

What Did the Study Find About Older People's Health And Walking?

We all know that staying active brings great health benefits. In fact, Health and Me also covered how walking and staying active could lower the risk of dementia. Until now, however, it was unclear how much should one walk.

With this recent study, researchers found that achieving 4,000 steps per day on one or two days a week could lower risk of death and lower risk of cardiovascular disease, (CVD), as compared to not reaching this level on any day.

How Was The Study That Analyzed Older People's Walking And Its Impact On Health Conducted?

The study analyzed 13,547 American women, who were over the age of 62, with the average being 72. All of them were given trackers for seven consecutive days, between 2011 and 2015. These people were followed for over a decade. None of them had heart disease or cancer at the beginning of the study.

While they were being monitored in the end of 2024, 1,756 women died and 781 developed heart disease.

The study found that those who clocked up at least 4,000 steps a day on one or two days of the week had 26% lower risk of death from all causes, and a 27% lower risk of dying from heart diseases. This was as compared to those who did not reach this threshold on any day of the week. The study further saw that those who achieved the step count for three days of the week, their lower risk of death from any cause increased by 40%, however for CVD related deaths, it remained at 27%.

Takeaways And Limitations

The researchers said that while the most important take away was that people would now have an amount to walk. However, it is important to note that the study was observational, with no firm conclusion, and was done only on women, and assessed for only one week.

The researchers agreed that there is no "best" way to take your steps. The key is to just ensure that you are getting your steps in. "A greater number of steps, regardless of daily patterns, is associated with better health outcomes." The study saw that on an average, women took 5,615 steps a day.

While there were limitations, but the researchers still added, "An important translational implication of these findings is that since step volume is the important driver of the inverse associations, there is no ‘better’ or ‘best’ pattern to take steps; individuals can undertake [physical activity] in any preferred pattern (eg ‘slow and steady’ v ‘bunched patterns’) for lower mortality and CVD risk, at least among older women. These findings provide additional evidence for considering including step metrics in the next [physical activity] guidelines, and that ‘bunching’ steps is a viable option for health.”