JFIT High Density Muscle Foam Roller

There is a review in the thread questioning the authenticity due to a change in look/design between the first and second rollers purchased. The manufacturer chimes in. Mine arrived on 9/11/12, and I did receive an authentic J Fit, labeled accordingly with a J Fit emblem. Before buying this product, do a couple things: 1) Google high density foam vs. EVA. There are plenty of good articles and video explaining the differences between the white (softest), black (firmest), and green/blue (med) rollers. They explain the differences in pressing that determines the firmness differences, full roller vs 1/2 roller, and even talk about what size to get--12, 18, or 36. No need to buy multiple rollers if just one will do for you. 2) Read thru the reviews. Many reviewers have taken time to explain what reason/injury/problem/recommendation led to a foam roller. Back pain, leg pain, gym users, trainers, physical therapy----tons of good info. 3) Follow the price. Usually around $28, price will often drop to the $23-$24 range. Snagged mine thru Warehouse Deals for $20. One of the trainers at my gym has advised me several times to use a foam roller, saying that as much as I run, I have tension all over and would really benefit. People I see using them have said it really gets the muscles relaxed. Sweat concerns aside, I haven't set up time with the trainer to have him show me various stretches, but now that I've bought one, I will. I was also told it does not feel good when you first start using it; that it can be painful if you have a lot of muscle tension. I chose the black version because it's the most firm, and 36" so I could do my back with ease. As I plan to use for the long term, I didn't want to start out with something smaller or less firm, outgrow it, and have to buy again. This roller is solid. Very solid. No worries about breaking or bending. Took it out the box, sat on the floor and rolled my back. Amazing! It wasn't painful, but it's not a therapeutic feel-good massage. You feel the pressure. And I could feel the tension releasing, which was a borderline feel-good sensation. Then I hit legs, calves and quads, as I've seen others at the gym do. Again, amazing. You really do feel the tension leaving your body! It was a bit uncomfortable on my calves, which means I have a lot of tension in them and need to work them more. Even though I haven't set up time with the trainer, that same Google search produced videos on using the roller--back, calves, quads, hams, glutes, shoulders, etc... And lastly, I found it most difficult to work the calves. It's easy enough for the back, butt, hams, quads, but for calves you have to position your arms to move your body so you can go over the roller. Ideally, you'd want to roll from ankle to knee, but your range of motion is restricted, even working one calf at a time. (This is not a flaw of the roller, just something you should know.) Another huge benefit is budget. My gym is very big on massage therapy. Wants you to schedule a day just for massage, or after workout if your time is tight, and work on your problem areas. Even just once per week, a 30 minute session will quickly affect your budget. So if you're like me and watch where you spend your money, get a roller and learn to self massage. The price of the roller is WAY cheaper than a single massage session. So I'm sold. Should have gotten one of these a long time ago. I'm going to shoot for daily adding this into my workout as a scheduled part of my routine. Money well spent. Don't overthink it. Just buy it. Your body will thank you.