Massage gun guide
Massage guns are marketed as a game-changing self-recovery tool. But in many cases, they also come with a steep price tag. Is it worth investing in a new massage gun, and how much should you be spending to find a high-quality device that will provide relief without breaking the bank?
What is a massage gun good for?
Is a massage gun right for you? The short answer is it depends on your goals and lifestyle.
The best massage guns are designed for easy self-release of sore muscles, knots and body pain. They accomplish these important tasks by applying percussion directly to your muscles. You can use a massage gun on any body part that’s causing you discomfort, from your feet to your upper back.
While more research is required on this fairly new sports device, studies show that applying percussive massage before exercise can reduce delayed onset muscle soreness in the following days.
Whether you’re a marathon runner looking to expedite your post-run recovery or a desk worker who needs to stretch out upper back knots, the right massage gun can provide muscle relief and improve performance.
When to use a massage gun
Before exercise, a massage gun can help loosen up your muscles and prepare them to perform. Whether you’re lifting weights, heading to a group exercise class or out for a jog, a few minutes of self-massage can enhance your warm-up and help prevent injury.
After exercise, or simply after a long day at the office or on your feet, a percussive gun can be your best friend for relieving muscle soreness. From a stiff neck to sore calves, applying the vibrations and pressure of a massage gun can help relax muscles and break up knots and scar tissue.
Who is a massage gun best for?
The people who will benefit most from a massage gun at home are:
Athletes of all levels who are looking to speed recovery before workouts and prime their muscles to perform before exercise.
Desk workers who struggle with shoulder and neck discomfort.
Anyone on their feet for long stretches of time who need to maintain stamina and comfort.
Best massage guns
If you decide that a massage gun is worth adding to your arsenal of muscle recovery tools, we’ve listed our favorite brands and models.
iReliev Percussion Massage Gun: available at iReliev Our all-around favorite self-massaging gun, it’s powerful enough to knead deep into your muscle tissues, with a 10-millimeter stroke length. This gun is also small and lightweight, making it easy to maneuver. In addition, the gun comes with four different attachments, including a round, fork, bullet and a flat head for various body parts and massaging needs.
PlayMakar MVP Percussion Massager: available at PlayMakar At a slightly lower price, this massager is fully outfitted with six different massaging attachment heads. It’s built for power, with six intensity levels that let you ease into deep-tissue work. Despite its power, this gun is on the quiet side and doesn’t exceed 45 decibels of noise at the highest speed.
Theragun G3PRO: available at Amazon If you’re looking to invest a bit more in a professional-level massage gun, this is our top choice. This gun is designed to help you reach new angles and muscles that are hard to access on your own, including your lower back. It offers five speeds and at its highest, this gun offers up to 60 pounds of force, is easy to clean and comes with a handy backup battery for travel.
Theragun Mini: available at Theragun Speaking of travel, if you’re looking for an ultra-portable, compact massager, this one is a great solution. This hand-held device can fit in your pocket or purse. You can bring it to work for a quick massage break between meetings or stash it in your gym bag for immediate relief after a hard session. Despite its small size, the Mini still offers three variable speeds and up to 2,400 percussions per minute.
Hyperice Hypervolt: available at Best Buy This tech-forward massage gun offers a Bluetooth-connected smartphone app. The app lets you control the massage gun with different speed settings depending on the muscle group. The comfortable ergonomic handle means that you won’t tire out your hands and arms while relieving pain in the rest of your body. This is a well-designed and reliable choice at a mid-level price.
Lizzy Briskin is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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