I'm a big believer in the foam roller before any activity,” says Stephanie Duryea, C.P.T. “I think that can be a warm-up because you’re working with the fascia -- loosening it up, warming it up.” Use the foam cylinder to target your glutes, hamstrings, quads and hip flexors. Proper technique involves putting as much of your body weight on the foam roller as you can. For example, when targeting your glutes, sit on the foam roller and shift your weight so that all your weight is on one glute at a time. Roll back and forth over the muscle slowly. If you feel a particularly tight or painful spot in your muscle, pause there and roll over just that spot to release potential knots. Spend about 1 minute on each area.