rolling pin original

The difference is not in function or hardness – all five wood types are equally durable and feel equally effective when rolling. The difference is a matter of personal preference in four areas:

Feel & Warmth
Alder feels particularly warm and soft in the hands – almost velvety. Beech, ash, oak, and walnut feel somewhat smoother and cooler in comparison, which many find particularly pleasant.

Weight
Alder is the lightest of the five hardwoods. The other four – beech, ash, oak, and walnut – are close in weight.

Scent
Each wood type has its own natural scent. Since all our products are treated with linseed oil, this warm, nutty linseed oil scent is always present when first used – a nice sign of the natural processing.

Appearance & Grain
Beech is usually very even and homogeneous in appearance – simple and classic. Alder, ash, oak, and walnut, on the other hand, can have beautiful, individual grain patterns: each piece is unique. Walnut impresses with deep, dark tones, while oak and ash stand out with striking textures. This is purely a matter of taste.

Durability
In terms of durability, all five wood types make no compromises – they are built to last forever.

Everyone thinks that at first – and that's perfectly normal! But those who try it for the first time are usually surprised: Around 95% spontaneously say, "Oh, it doesn't feel so hard at all!"

The reason lies in the shape. The groove in the middle spares the spine, so that the pressure acts only on the muscles – and not on the bones. If you place your leg in the groove, for example, the weight is distributed over a large contact surface and it feels surprisingly pleasant. This is precisely why the iliotibial tract (outer thigh band) can be rolled out wonderfully – on a straight roller, this would be almost impossible for most due to the pain. And those who lie on their back with the roller under their neck often find: You could easily take a power nap like this.

The main difference lies in the design: The classic foam roller has a diameter of 14 cm, the Pro version 12 cm – and is also hollow in the middle. This makes it about half as light as the standard version.

Intensity: Due to the smaller diameter, the contact surface of the Pro version is slightly smaller, which makes the massage marginally more intense. However, the difference is not huge.

Lower Back: For those who support themselves on their forearms when rolling out their lower back, the Pro version can be more comfortable to use – especially for smaller individuals, as the smaller diameter allows for better support.

Balance Board: Both versions work on the Balance Board. The Pro version reacts a bit quicker and more dynamically, while the standard version is calmer and more controllable.

In short: Both versions work excellently – the Pro is lighter and a tad more intense, while the standard version is a bit calmer and more massive. There is no "wrong" choice.

The beauty of the rollholz: It adapts to your daily life – you don't have to follow a strict program. As a guideline:

You can stretch daily; 5–10 minutes are completely sufficient.

We recommend rolling out – i.e., the classic back-and-forth rolling over a muscle group – about twice a week with around 3 exercises each time.

You perform melting – deliberately staying on one point until the tension subsides – as needed, e.g., if you notice a particularly tense spot. This takes about 1.5 to 4 minutes per spot.

All techniques, exercises, and what you should pay attention to are, by the way, explained in detail in the free e-book you receive after purchase.

The e-book was developed in collaboration with sports scientists and therapists and guides you step-by-step through your fascia training. It contains everything you need: from the basics (what are fascia anyway?) to the two techniques of rolling out and melting, and an extensive collection of exercises with photos and precise instructions for almost every muscle group – for all rollholz products. There's also a section on contraindications, i.e., when you should take a break or consult a doctor.

You will receive it automatically – just check the very bottom of your order confirmation email after purchase.