This was a holiday deal in mid December for the exact same price, but the orange color only. Today you can choose from orange, black, or lime green.

The price doesn't seem to drop much. If interested in trying it, today's price is as good as you'll likely see it for the rest of the year.

Mine arrived recently and it feels really solid, definitely well made for what it is. I can't report on the durability since I just got it though.

Looks good... but a nice cheap alternative, pvc pipe = $8 at a local hardware store.

I tend to agree with Igor - looks to me like a chunk of (new) sewer pipe or a rolled-up towel would accomplish about the same thing, for a fraction of the price (unless you use a really nice towel).

I have almost every brand of roller out there. This is a pretty nice, firm roller. It is much firmer than the typical foam-core roller but not as aggressive as the RumbleRoller. If you are looking for wide area pressure, this will do a good job (obviously it's not as wide as a 30-36 in roller, but it's consistently firm across its ~18in length). If you want something that digs into knots and such, the RumbleRoller is better. Some people make rolling a part pf their daily routine and some let their rollers gather dust, so individual results will vary. You can make your own cheaply but the same can be said for most low-tech items. For me, it's well worth the cost but you'll need to decide for yourself.

Edited to add comment about the Grid's durability: mine is about 2 years old and still looks new. However, I have been careful to use it on smooth, clean floors or carpeting. Pebbles and grit will probably dig into the soft outer foam and cause significant attrition of the surface. Unless you crack the plastic core, it will still be usable but just less comfortable (more like the cheap PVC alternatives mentioned in prior posts).

Do you have experience with this product vs pvc pipe, and will you share it with us?

Or are you just posting an idea that came to your head, you actually have no idea how accurate your statement is, and you don't care how misleading it may be to anyone who might listen to you?

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I didn't expect to be interested in this... until I read the page and reviews. I did end up clicking on Trigger Point Performance on the product page to view all their products, and bought the roller with the Level 1 DVD for $12 more than this price - though I'll certainly also use that Runner's World link I found in the product reviews. I spend more than this on a half-price coupon massage, so this is well worth a try. (I have a lot of moving & renovating to do in the next couple of months and expect a lot of pain - or else I wouldn't spend my money on other than flooring, paint, and tools!)

A PVC pipe is a cheap alternative to this but lets be real, it isn't the same thing. The shape of the carved foam does make a difference. When you are doing more than just rolling your back on it like rolling the I.T. band, inner thigh, quad, bottom of your feet, latts etc... There is no comparison. I have used PVC in a pinch and solid foam rollers as well. But there is nothing like a good session on my Grid. I have had mine for a year and it is still like new. I never leave home without it.

I thought people were joking about PVC until reading this. Maybe if you have no tender spots or need for deep tissue work PVC would be OK. It has slight give which is why when I read about this product it made sense. But by itself using it on body parts would only feel good for meaty areas like thighs. For the majority of people using PVC on areas close to bone would be painful. My physical therapist has me lay on a towel as someone previously suggested. A towel does not give me as good a streatch. What does work are the large pool noodles cut to size. However, this makes sense to me for all over body use.

This seems like it would be very expensive. Wouldn't you need at least a dozen of these to set your hair.

Question. Is the color different in hardness or just color difference? I know some foam roller has different hardness in different color.

I don't think you'd be happy with PVC pipe because it would be too slippery. You would need to coat the outer surface with something that has a little grip, so it doesn't slide around against your clothing.

Do you have this one or do you recommend the wider version?

All the rollers are the same, regardless of color. I got this as a Lightning Deal on December 13 for the same price, in black. We use it in P90X2.

I think if people paid good money for this roller they'd be more inclined to use it as opposed to a piece of PVC pipe.

I too have been wondering whether to go with this version or the longer one -- since I first saw this on the lightning deal in December.

I have been using it since Sept 2012 and it is a fantastic product. I used to have pain in my shoulders (from years of working at a desk job) that no amount of massages, icing, stretches, strengthening, etc could get rid of. Since I found this in my gym and started using it there, the pain was gone in a matter of days - maybe a week and a half - and it stays off as long as I use it regularly. I ordered one for home use as well and paid roughly $40 for it plus a DVD on Amazon. Great price for a fantastic product!

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DIY Foam Roller. Using a PVC Pipe and Foam Mat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LePffrEpe8A

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We have about 5 of these at CrossFit where I work out. They are used multiple times per day by multiple people and still look like new. For those of you who wonder about sizes, well for different people and different areas of the body you may need different sizes. This is a good start and can help with most areas of the body, and is a good price

So the comment, "people who get suckered into these sorts of bogus/fad health items", is that about this particular foam roller or foam rollers in general? I have two normal rollers, one full sized at home and a 12" that I keep at work. I know people who used them for developing core strength, but I personally use them for rolling out my back and legs after a bike ride or a run (I hate running, and my quads are calves hate it, too. My IT band always needs a good rolling out after a long ride, especially with hills). If I didn't already have a 12" roller (which works really well, and cost about $10), I actually would seriously consider getting this, mostly because I'm intrigued with the ridges and if it would help with getting all that lactic acid out, but also because it just looks cooler than the one I have.

This does have a PVC pipe runnin through the middle, however what makes it worth the extra is the foam padding. If you have a perfect hard body with flawless skin, a PVC pipe will work for you, for everyone else there is a foam roller.

Yes, you could use a raw PVC pipe instead of this. You can also go outside and lift rocks instead of buying a BowFlex. That's a similar comparison. If you have $26 to spare, these are a great addition to a home gym.

Re: Jeff Rad - If you watch the video, the cost of the PVC is 6 Euros + camping mat is 6 Euros + leather is 7 Euros = $25 USD per today's exchange rate. That also assumes you have all the tools and the tape is free... I think I'd pay the extra $.99 for this item.

I love this roller. I use the one where I do crossfit and have been wanting one at home. It will be great to workout those sore muscles from a great workout and I can use it whenever I want. I can't wait to get it.