The ten Greatest Therapeutic massage Weapons of 2023, Rated by Health Specialists

When stretching and foam rolling aren’t sufficient to ease post-workout muscle soreness, a therapeutic massage gun may also help present some reduction. One of the best therapeutic massage gun is designed to assist cut back lactic acid buildup, promote restoration after a troublesome coaching session, and improve blood circulate to sore or tender areas. It may possibly additionally quickly improve your vary of movement earlier than you even start your exercise.

I’m in my mid-thirties and work out exhausting 4 to 5 days per week, so I do know the worth of utilizing a superb therapeutic massage gun to assist with my restoration. Along with my trusty foam curler, I exploit a therapeutic massage gun a number of days per week to make sure my muscular tissues are all the time feeling their greatest. Having been a health author for nearly three years, I’ve additionally spent numerous hours researching the perfect therapeutic massage weapons and have turn into intimately aware of options like stall power and amplitude. Within the roundup evaluate beneath, I compile all of that info to carry you the highest 10 therapeutic massage weapons available on the market.

How We Selected the Greatest Therapeutic massage Weapons

The Breaking Muscle workforce has examined greater than a dozen therapeutic massage weapons over a number of months, utilizing them earlier than and after exercises, in between units, and at random instances all through the day once we wanted reduction from achy muscular tissues.

After testing every product, we utilized a proprietary scoring system to fee it on a scale of 1 to 5 (one being the worst, 5 being the perfect) in varied classes, comparable to percussions per minute (PPMs), amplitude, decibels, portability, out there attachments, and general worth. We then mixed these particular person rankings to present every system an general rating and narrowed down our listing to the perfect of the perfect.

Our High Picks for the Greatest Therapeutic massage Weapons

Greatest Therapeutic massage Gun General: Therabody Theragun Professional

The Theragun PRO tops our listing as the perfect therapeutic massage gun general because of its ergonomic design, potential to ship a robust therapeutic massage, quick charging, and comparatively quiet operation.

The Theragun PRO is presently in its fifth technology. Just like the earlier iterations and different fashions just like the Theragun Prime, it has a triangular-shaped, ergonomic deal with. At 2.76 kilos, it’s a few quarter of a pound lighter than the fourth technology, making it even simpler to carry and use.

Moreover, the fifth technology Theragun PRO is 20 p.c quieter than the fourth technology. You need to use it whereas catching up in your favourite TV exhibits at night time or on the fitness center with out disrupting the opposite members. At its highest pace setting, it’s about 66 decibels, which is quieter than a washer or dishwasher.

The pace settings are additionally the identical between the fifth and fourth generations. The Theragun PRO has 5 speeds starting from 1,750 to 2,400 PPM. The stall power of 60 kilos and the amplitude of 16 millimeters are additionally the identical between the 2 iterations. These specs make it probably the most highly effective therapeutic massage weapons we’ve examined. Whereas it could be an excessive amount of for inexperienced persons or the typical individual, it may be helpful for elite athletes or those that put their our bodies by way of frequent, intense exercises.

The Theragun PRO comes with Bluetooth connectivity, so you should use it with the Therabody app to sync customized restoration routines to the system. You’ll be able to select routines to comply with earlier than or after actions comparable to working or energy coaching; to handle muscle rigidity in particular areas, just like the glutes; or to loosen up earlier than going to mattress.

The app additionally contains video directions and tells you the way lengthy to therapeutic massage every space for enhanced muscle restoration. If you happen to’ve by no means used a therapeutic massage gun earlier than, following the app’s steerage may also help make sure you’re concentrating on your muscular tissues successfully.

Nevertheless, one disadvantage (and one of many solely modifications from the fourth technology that we don’t like) is that the fifth technology Theragun PRO solely comes with one battery. The battery life between the 2 generations is similar at 150 minutes, however because the fourth technology got here with two batteries, you could possibly basically stand up to 300 minutes of use.

That stated, the battery on the fifth technology could be charged with a USB-C cable, so it does cost sooner than the fourth technology (about 75 minutes versus 125 minutes when charging the fourth technology on a charging station).

RELATED: Best Rowing Machines

Greatest Therapeutic massage Gun on Amazon: Ekrin Athletics Bantam Mini Therapeutic massage Gun

Yow will discover dozens of therapeutic massage weapons on Amazon, however take into account the Ekrin Athletics Bantam Mini Therapeutic massage Gun the most effective. It’s quiet, has a powerful stall power for a therapeutic massage gun of its dimension, comes with an honest battery life, and is straightforward to journey with.

Our product tester gave the Bantam Mini 4 and 5 stars, respectively, for the deal with and battery life. She favored the deal with’s slim design and rubberized grip and located it simple to succeed in all of the muscle teams she needed to therapeutic massage, together with the higher again. Primarily based on her testing expertise, the six-hour battery life listed on the web site was correct. She additionally appreciated how the battery indicator lit up in numerous colours based mostly on how a lot battery is remaining (blue for 80 p.c full, purple for 60 to 80 p.c, stable purple for between 20 and 60 p.c, and blinking purple for lower than 20 p.c).

At simply 33 to 55 decibels, the Bantam Mini is quieter than an electrical toothbrush, which is round 60 decibels. You’ll be able to simply use it whereas watching TV or within the presence of others with out annoying them. 

We additionally like that the Bantam Mini has USB-C charging capabilities. It comes with a charging cable, however when you lose it, you should use any USB-C charger you in all probability have already got at house. Plus, you’ll be able to cost it a number of methods, whether or not you wish to plug it into the wall with a charging dice (which it doesn’t include) or plug it into your laptop computer. The varied choices you’ve gotten for charging it imply you’ll not often have to fret about it not having any juice left.

The Bantam Mini comes with 4 attachments (flat, bullet, fork, and spherical) — greater than the three attachments you’ll get with different mini therapeutic massage weapons, such because the Theragun Mini, however fewer than the six you’ll get with bigger massagers, just like the Sportneer Therapeutic massage Gun. Nonetheless, the attachments it does include are fairly normal and can help you therapeutic massage almost all the principal muscle teams within the physique.

In comparison with the Theragun Mini’s 12-millimeter amplitude and 20-pound stall power, the Bantam Mini solely has a 10-millimeter amplitude however boasts a 35-pound stall power. We gave it 5 out of 5 stars for the stall power however solely rated it 3 out of 5 stars for the amplitude. Our skilled product tester, who’s additionally a licensed private coach and CrossFit Stage 1 Coach, says the amplitude is simply common (or barely above common, at greatest) for mini therapeutic massage weapons.

Nevertheless, the decrease amplitude and stall power is probably not a priority when you don’t use therapeutic massage weapons typically or want a much less intense therapeutic massage. Different clients are glad with the ability the Bantam Mini offers. One reviewer says, “The Bantam is likely to be small, nevertheless it actually performs – a lot in order that I now solely use the Bantam. The Bantam’s ~10mm amplitude, 3200 ppm pace, and the 35 lb stall pace feels nice on drained and sore muscular tissues.”

The Bantam Mini comes with a carrying case that’s simply seven inches when measured diagonally. If you wish to journey with it, it shouldn’t be too exhausting to seek out house in your baggage for it, even when you pack it in a small carry-on bag. The exhausting outer shell must also hold it protected in case your suitcase will get jostled round.

One of many areas the Bantam Mini falls quick is the pace settings. The Breaking Muscle workers member who examined it solely gave the pace settings 3 out of 5 stars. Whereas she says they’re appropriate for a mini therapeutic massage gun, the three fastened speeds (2,000, 2,600, or 3,200 PPM) are fewer than what you’ll discover on greater massagers, comparable to Ekrin Athletic’s bigger mannequin, the B37 Therapeutic massage Gun.

RELATED: Best Resistance Bands

Greatest Therapeutic massage Gun Below $100: Sportneer Therapeutic massage Gun

Technically, the worth of the Sportneer Therapeutic massage Gun as of this writing is $120, however Amazon is providing a $20 coupon, placing it proper on the $100 mark. You can even typically discover it at a reduced worth across the holidays and different main purchasing intervals, like Prime Day. It’s nonetheless the most effective funds therapeutic massage weapons out there for that purpose.

The Sportneer Therapeutic massage Gun comes with six therapeutic massage heads, which is normal for regular-sized therapeutic massage weapons. What helps it stand out is that two of the therapeutic massage heads are chrome. You’ll be able to warmth them in sizzling water or put them within the freezer to raise your therapeutic massage expertise. You’ll be able to even use them with important oils or CBD oil. These are nice additions as a result of not even high-end therapeutic massage weapons just like the Theragun PRO include steel therapeutic massage heads. We gave it 4.75 stars out of 5 for this versatility.

Our product tester additionally gave it excessive marks for the six pace settings. These are greater than most therapeutic massage weapons on this worth vary provide, nevertheless it does imply there’s a bigger variance between speeds.

At 30 to 45 decibels, it’s quieter than different therapeutic massage weapons which can be about the identical dimension and don’t present as many PPMs. For comparability, the Theragun PRO solely goes as much as 2,400 PPM and is 66 decibels on the highest setting. The Sportneer Therapeutic massage Gun goes as much as 3,200 PPM. Our product tester stated it was the quietest therapeutic massage gun she’s examined. A number of buyer opinions agree, with one saying, “It…is fairly quiet on the average speeds we use and the vibration that travels to your fingers from holding it’s acceptable for the quantity of massaging it’s capable of put out.”

Weighing 2.3 kilos, it’s not essentially the most moveable therapeutic massage gun. The included carrying case is a pleasant contact, however we didn’t assume it was something particular. We gave this therapeutic massage gun 2.75 stars for general portability and three stars for the carrying case. If you happen to journey typically and desire a therapeutic massage gun that’s much less cumbersome, a smaller possibility just like the Theragun Mini or Ekrin Athletics Bantam Mini could also be a better option.

Moreover, contemplating the scale of the Sportneer Therapeutic massage Gun, we didn’t discover the 40-pound stall power and 11-millimeter amplitude spectacular. Different choices just like the Ekrin Athletics B37 weigh about the identical however have a 56-pound stall power and 12-millimeter amplitude. Nonetheless, the specs are respectable for a budget-friendly therapeutic massage gun and could be adequate for individuals who don’t want an intense therapeutic massage.

In contrast to different therapeutic massage weapons with a triangular deal with, the Sportneer therapeutic massage gun has a straight deal with, which may make concentrating on areas just like the higher again more difficult. Nevertheless, the deal with has a 45-degree angle to assist with that. Our product tester additionally famous that she had no bother wrapping her small fingers across the deal with and favored the soft-grip rubber coating. She rated the deal with 3 out of 5 stars.

Sportneer claims this therapeutic massage gun has as much as seven hours of battery life. Primarily based on our testing, we predict that is correct. We used it when it was totally charged for 15 to twenty minutes a day for per week — simply over two hours whole — and the battery nonetheless had loads of juice.

RELATED: Best Home Gym Equipment

Greatest Therapeutic massage Gun Below $50: OLsky Therapeutic massage Gun

If you happen to’re searching for an ultra-budget-friendly therapeutic massage gun, the OLsky Therapeutic massage Gun could possibly be for you. For lower than $50, you get a quiet, light-weight massager with a big selection of attachments that may assist relieve muscle rigidity and stimulate blood circulate to tender areas.

The decibel stage ranges from 35 to 55, much like the Ekrin Athletics Mini Therapeutic massage Gun and B37 Therapeutic massage Gun. If you happen to use your therapeutic massage gun in a public setting or whereas watching TV, the low noise stage gained’t interrupt different individuals or drown out your leisure.

The product itemizing claims that it takes three to 4 hours to cost, nevertheless it looks as if that is provided that the battery is totally drained. Some buyer opinions counsel it may possibly take as little as half-hour to cost if it nonetheless has some juice left. Nevertheless, there’s a battery indicator on the LCD touchscreen. You’ll be capable to rapidly gauge how a lot battery you’ve gotten left earlier than you must cost it once more, so that you shouldn’t be met with any surprises when you attempt to flip it on and discover that there’s no battery left.

It comes with 10 attachments, which is spectacular, particularly contemplating the worth level. Not even the almost $600 Theragun PRO has that many. A number of the attachments are normal, just like the spherical and bullet heads. Others are extra distinctive, just like the air compression head and the spade head. Whether or not you’re searching for a tender, enjoyable therapeutic massage or want to actually assault a painful muscle knot, the OLsky Therapeutic massage Gun will likely be as much as the duty. Plus, it comes with a sturdy carrying case with varied compartments to assist hold all the attachments organized.

The 30 pace settings it presents are greater than another merchandise on this listing — the subsequent highest is the Sportneer Therapeutic massage Gun with six pace settings. Nevertheless, this can be greater than you really want to get an efficient self-massage. As one buyer evaluate says, “The one factor is that it has like 30 ranges. I believe it solely wants 5 or 6, however I suppose in case you are tremendous delicate having extra ranges would make it easier to alter accordingly.”

The OLsky Therapeutic massage Gun weighs slightly below two kilos, almost three-quarters of a pound lighter than the Theragun PRO. It could be a greater possibility you probably have smaller fingers or dexterity points and wish a light-weight massager. In any other case, we’d advocate taking a look at extra compact choices just like the Theragun Mini. The Theragun Mini solely weighs one pound, although it solely comes with three attachments and solely goes as much as 2,400 PPM (the OLsky Therapeutic massage Gun goes as much as 3,250 PPM).

RELATED: Best Pull-Up Bars

Greatest Therapeutic massage Gun for Runners: REP Rapidstrike Therapeutic massage Gun

When working, the calves, quads, glutes, hamstrings, and iliopsoas (a hip flexor muscle) can all take a beating. A therapeutic massage gun just like the REP Rapidstrike may also help ease soreness and tightness in these areas. Plus, its light-weight building makes it simple to tuck into your fitness center bag while you journey to the fitness center, the monitor, or a race.

In truth, we gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars for portability due to its compact dimension. It additionally comes with a carrying case for simple portability and group, although we want the case was extra protecting, so we gave it 3.5 out of 5 stars. Nonetheless, it’s higher than many different therapeutic massage weapons we’ve tried whose carrying instances are made with skinny, flimsy supplies.

REP doesn’t listing specs like amplitude or PPMs. Nevertheless, based mostly on the data we obtained from one among our product testers (a licensed private coach and CrossFit Stage 1 Coach who’s examined dozens of therapeutic massage weapons and written on them extensively), we’d guess that the decibel stage is between 60 and 65. We’d place the amplitude between 11 and 13 millimeters and the PPMs at round 2,200 to 2,400, making it much less highly effective than the Theragun PRO.

A buyer evaluate on REP’s web site additionally appears to agree that this isn’t essentially essentially the most highly effective therapeutic massage gun. He says, “I do solely want that the upper setting had a little bit extra punch to…get deep into areas that want extra work. It’s a commerce off between how quiet you need this versus how deep you need it to therapeutic massage.”

We solely rated the deal with 3.5 out of 5 stars. It doesn’t have a rubber grip, so it may possibly get slippery, and the straight deal with isn’t as ergonomic as we’d like. Nevertheless, we had no points with the diameter and didn’t expertise a major quantity of wrist or forearm fatigue when utilizing this therapeutic massage gun.

We discovered that REP’s claims of as much as eight hours of battery life have been correct, however we gave The Rapidstrike 3.5 out of 5 stars when it comes to battery and charging. It doesn’t include a charging brick and there’s no battery indicator mild. Charging can take about 90 minutes, which is slower than the Theragun PRO however sooner than a few of the cheaper choices just like the OLsky Therapeutic massage Gun.

RELATED: Best Treadmill for Home

Greatest Mini Therapeutic massage Gun: Therabody Theragun Mini

As a result of it weighs proper round one pound and contains a compact, triangular design, we take into account the Theragun Mini the perfect mini therapeutic massage gun available on the market.

I had an opportunity to make use of the Theragun Mini on the Breaking Muscle testing facility, and I cherished how comfy the silicone-coated therapeutic massage gun was to grip. The light-weight construct meant I used to be capable of maintain onto it for a number of minutes at a time with out my hand or forearm muscular tissues getting fatigued.

The Theragun Mini is presently in its second iteration. The primary technology solely got here with the usual ball attachment, however the second technology now additionally comes with dampener and thumb attachments.

That stated, different mini therapeutic massage weapons, just like the Ekrin Athletics Bantam Mini Therapeutic massage Gun and REP Rapidstrike Therapeutic massage Gun, include 4 attachments. The Theragun Mini nonetheless falls quick in that regard. It’s suitable with Therabody’s fourth and fifth technology attachments, however you must pay round $20 for them — and the system is already near $200, making it the most costly mini therapeutic massage gun on our listing.

The 12-millimeter amplitude on the second technology is similar as the primary technology. It’s not as a lot because the 16 millimeters you’ll get with the bigger Theragun PRO, nevertheless it nonetheless delivers an efficient therapeutic massage. The stall power is simply 20 kilos, so it gained’t ship as intense of a therapeutic massage because the Erkin Athletics Mini Therapeutic massage Gun, which has a stall power of 35 kilos. Nevertheless, after I used the Theragun Mini, I used to be impressed with how highly effective it was. In truth, I couldn’t even apply it to the best setting, although I generally is a little bit of a child in terms of sore muscular tissues.

Like different therapeutic massage weapons in Therabody’s lineup, the Theragun Mini is suitable with the Therabody app. The app delivers customized wellness routines based mostly in your objectives, whether or not it’s essential to loosen up earlier than a exercise, relieve achy muscular tissues after a troublesome coaching session, or cut back upper-body rigidity from hunching over a keyboard all day.

The Theragun Mini makes use of the identical motor because the Theragun Professional, placing the decibel stage at round 66 when used on the best pace setting. That is about the identical decibel stage as a dishwasher. Once I tried it, I wasn’t bowled over by the quantity of noise it delivered, and I could be delicate to tremendous loud noises. So, I believe most individuals ought to be capable to tolerate the noise stage of the Theragun Mini.

Greatest Deep Tissue Therapeutic massage Gun: Ekrin Athletics B37 Therapeutic massage Gun

The Ekrin Athletics B37 Therapeutic massage Gun isn’t essentially the most highly effective massager, nevertheless it does go as much as a powerful 3,200 PPM and has a 12-millimeter amplitude, which is sufficient to ship an efficient deep tissue therapeutic massage. We additionally just like the 15-degree deal with, which makes it extra comfy to carry for lengthy intervals.

The B37’s decibel ranges vary from 35 to 55, identical to the model’s Bantam Mini Therapeutic massage Gun. Its proprietary sound insulation places it amongst the quietest therapeutic massage weapons. For reference, the Theragun PRO fifth technology is 66 decibels, so the B37 could also be a better option when you want a quieter therapeutic massage expertise.

The eight-hour battery life is greater than another possibility on our listing aside from the REP Rapidstrike. Even when you use the therapeutic massage gun every single day, a single cost needs to be sufficient to final greater than per week. One reviewer on Amazon says, “I’ve been utilizing it for per week and haven’t needed to recharge the battery. I exploit it about 20 minutes a day whole.”

The 5 pace settings on the B37 are center of the highway. The Theragun PRO presents the identical variety of speeds, although it solely goes as much as 2,400 PPM, whereas the Ekrin Athletics B37 goes as much as 3,200 PPM. The upper PPM helps offset the 12-millimeter amplitude, which is decrease than the Theragun PRO’s 16-millimeter amplitude.

Greatest Therapeutic massage Gun for Again Ache: Therabody Theragun PRO

If you happen to endure from lower back pain, the Theragun PRO might be able to ship the reduction you want. 

Its ergonomic deal with and adjustable therapeutic massage arm make it simple to succeed in round and therapeutic massage the again muscular tissues. It doesn’t have a U-shaped attachment, which we typically advocate utilizing across the spinal column. Nevertheless it does include a thumb attachment that may be wonderful for massaging delicate muscle tissue within the decrease again.

The Theragun PRO’s pace settings vary from 1,750 to 2,400 PPM. It has a 60-pound stall power and a 16-millimeter amplitude, which pack a fairly highly effective punch. In case your decrease again is extraordinarily sore, you’ll seemingly wish to begin on the lowest PPM and progressively work your manner up.

As highly effective as it’s, the Theragun PRO is quiet. On the highest pace, it reaches about 66 decibels — quieter than family home equipment like washing machines and dishwashers. This implies you’ll be able to have a peaceful, peaceable therapeutic massage session whether or not you’re at house or on the fitness center.

We additionally like which you could sync the Theragun PRO with the Therabody app for customized therapeutic massage routines. If you wish to increase past the decrease again, the app will information you on the right way to therapeutic massage the calves, glutes, hamstrings, or another muscle group.

The Theragun PRO’s present model solely comes with one battery. This isn’t unusual in different therapeutic massage weapons we’ve tried, however it’s a downgrade from the earlier iteration of the Theragun PRO, which got here with two batteries. Nevertheless, the listed battery life is 150 minutes, so when you use it for about quarter-hour per day, it ought to final a few week and a half.

RELATED: Best Weightlifting Belts

Greatest Handheld Therapeutic massage Gun: Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2

Technically, all the therapeutic massage weapons on our listing are handheld. However we chosen the Hyperice Hypervolt Go as the perfect handheld therapeutic massage gun as a result of it’s light-weight, and whereas we discovered the deal with a bit thick for our preferences, we did admire how grippy the rubber coating was.

Hyperice doesn’t disclose the stall power or amplitude of the Hypervolt Go 2. Nevertheless, based mostly on our testing and what we learn about therapeutic massage weapons, we will assume that the stall power is between 20 and 30 kilos and the amplitude is round 10 millimeters. The stall power is about the identical because the Theragun Mini, however the amplitude is 2 millimeters decrease. We rated the stall power 4 out of 5 stars and the amplitude 3.5 stars.

We additionally knocked off a number of factors as a result of the Hypervolt Go 2 solely comes with two attachments: a flat head and a bullet head. Different mini therapeutic massage weapons include at the least three attachments, so the flexibility of the Hypervolt Go 2 is missing in that regard.

The Hypervolt Go 2 is sufficiently small to journey with, nevertheless it doesn’t include a carrying case, so that you’ll must buy some sort of pouch or bag individually to maintain it secure. 

RELATED: Best Weighted Vests

Greatest Therapeutic massage Gun for Athletes: Hyperice Hypervolt 2

For athletes trying to up their restoration recreation, the Hyperice Hypervolt 2 could possibly be a good selection. Hyperice doesn’t present the stall power or amplitude. However we estimate the stall power to be round 30 to 40 kilos and the amplitude to be round 13 to 14 millimeters. As such, we predict it’s secure to say that this therapeutic massage gun can ship the quantity of stress it’s essential to loosen stiff muscular tissues and cut back soreness.

Bluetooth allows you to sync the Hypervolt 2 to the Hyperice app and rivals Therabody’s therapeutic massage gun tech capabilities. With the app, you’ll be able to choose varied routines for warming up or cooling down earlier than or after your exercises. This generally is a helpful characteristic for anybody who’s new to utilizing therapeutic massage weapons or prefers a extra structured strategy to their warm-ups and cooldowns.

The decibel stage hovers round 70 on the highest pace, making it noisier than the Theragun PRO. Nonetheless, it’s no louder than a dishwasher, so it shouldn’t be too disruptive. 

Whereas your buy features a pouch to maintain the attachments organized, it doesn’t embrace a case for the therapeutic massage gun itself. If you recognize you’ll be touring with it, plan on buying one other protecting case or discovering one thing to wrap the therapeutic massage gun in to keep away from harm.

RELATED: Best Cable Machines

What Do Therapeutic massage Weapons Do?

Therapeutic massage weapons use percussive and/or vibration remedy to ship an efficient therapeutic massage that targets the deepest tissues of the physique. They aren’t precisely the identical as a deep tissue therapeutic massage from a licensed bodily therapist. Nevertheless, therapeutic massage weapons can nonetheless be a handy manner to offer ache reduction and promote blood circulate to tender areas of the physique when you’ll be able to’t make it to the spa.

Therapeutic massage weapons usually include varied attachments, comparable to a ball, flat head, fork, or bullet. Every attachment serves a distinct goal. A ball attachment, for instance, is good for figuring out painful knots deep within the tissues of enormous muscle teams just like the glutes, hamstrings, or quads. Alternatively, a bullet head attachment could be higher for assuaging soreness in smaller muscular tissues like these within the ft or for actually zeroing in on painful set off factors.

Therapeutic massage weapons additionally help you alter the pace and depth settings for a custom-made therapeutic massage expertise. Decrease intensities are higher for individuals who are new to utilizing therapeutic massage weapons or when engaged on extra delicate areas. Increased intensities help you extra successfully attain the deeper tissues of your bigger muscular tissues.

Advantages of Therapeutic massage Weapons

Now that you recognize what a therapeutic massage gun does, chances are you’ll marvel the way it may also help you. Under are a few of the many benefits of massage weapons:

• Elevated blood circulate. The repeated mechanical motions of a muscle massager assist promote blood circulate to the focused space, which may also help present reduction if the world is sore or tight. It may possibly additionally assist put together your muscular tissues for a exercise.
• Decreased muscle soreness. Some analysis has proven that utilizing a therapeutic massage gun earlier than a exercise can cut back the quantity of muscle harm you incur. (1) Consequently, chances are you’ll expertise much less soreness and fatigue throughout and after your exercise.
• Elevated flexibility and vary of movement. One research within the X confirmed that athletes who used a therapeutic massage gun on their calf muscular tissues skilled elevated dorsiflexion of the ankle. (2) Extra analysis is required to guage how lengthy these results final, however it’s doable that you simply’ll discover higher efficiency within the fitness center when you use a therapeutic massage gun as a part of your warm-up.
• Comfort. With a therapeutic massage gun, you can provide your self a therapeutic massage any time your muscular tissues want a little bit love — no extra ready till a therapeutic massage therapist at your native spa can fit your needs in for an appointment.
• Portability. Many therapeutic massage weapons are sufficiently small to stash in your fitness center bag so you’ll be able to embrace them as a part of your warm-up or cool-down routine. Additionally they normally include carrying instances that will help you hold all the attachments organized.

RELATED: Science Says You Really Need a Post-Workout Massage

How Do You Use a Therapeutic massage Gun?

To make use of a therapeutic massage gun, safe your most well-liked attachment to the system, change it on to the bottom setting, and maintain it towards the world of the physique you wish to goal. Slowly transfer the therapeutic massage gun over the muscle for one to 2 minutes. It’s greatest to maintain it transferring as a result of it will assist promote blood circulate; concentrating it on the identical spot for too lengthy could result in bruising or worsen soreness and tightness. If you happen to really feel such as you want a deeper therapeutic massage, progressively improve the setting till you attain your required depth.

You need to use a therapeutic massage gun at any time of the day. I typically like to make use of mine for a therapeutic massage session within the night to assist me unwind earlier than bedtime, however I do know a number of athletes who use theirs as a part of their warm-up routine. I’ve additionally heard of individuals utilizing therapeutic massage weapons instantly after a exercise as a option to calm down and loosen up the muscular tissues they only skilled the toughest.

When Ought to You Not Use a Therapeutic massage Gun?

Whereas therapeutic massage weapons are typically thought-about secure when used correctly, there are a number of cases the place it’s advisable to keep away from them. You need to by no means use a therapeutic massage gun on bruised or injured areas (assume a sprained ankle), as they’ll make accidents worse. You additionally shouldn’t use one instantly on bony components of the physique, like your knee joints. These areas are extra prone to harm from the power of the therapeutic massage gun.

For a similar purpose, it’s greatest to keep away from utilizing a therapeutic massage gun on the spinal column, as it may possibly trigger harm to the discs and nerve roots of the backbone.

Lastly, people with situations comparable to arthritis, hypertension, or sure cancers shouldn’t use a therapeutic massage gun. Therapeutic massage weapons can worsen irritation and different signs related to these well being situations.

What To Look For in a Therapeutic massage Gun

Attachments and Equipment

I extremely advocate getting a therapeutic massage gun that comes with a number of attachments, as they’ll make a huge effect in your expertise with the product. I’ve a therapeutic massage gun from Compex, and it solely has one ball head. I want I had taken the time to do extra analysis on the advantages of the completely different heads earlier than I positioned my order. (That is additionally a part of the explanation I didn’t embrace that therapeutic massage gun within the listing above.)

For instance, a fork attachment is good for massaging across the backbone or the world across the Achilles. Damper or foam attachments are good for hitting delicate areas, like these nearer to your bones or joints. Bullet attachments may also help you zone in on remoted sore spots.

Earlier than making your buy, take into account the place on the physique you’ll use the massager essentially the most, and ensure it comes with attachments which can be appropriate for concentrating on these areas.

Percussion vs. Vibration

Therapeutic massage weapons can provide both percussion or vibration remedy. Percussion therapeutic massage weapons use an up-and-down movement and might attain at the least 16 millimeters into the physique tissues. They’re higher for breaking apart muscle knots, however some individuals discover them too intense. All the Theragun fashions reviewed above are percussion therapeutic massage weapons.

Vibration therapeutic massage weapons use a side-to-side movement, which is useful for rising blood circulate and circulation.

Noise Stage

You’ll seemingly desire a therapeutic massage gun that’s comparatively quiet, particularly when you’ll use it in a public setting like a fitness center or within the presence of different people who stay with you. Many therapeutic massage gun manufacturers listing the decibel stage of their merchandise on their web sites, so make sure to learn the product descriptions fastidiously. 

I like to recommend searching for a therapeutic massage gun that’s round 70 decibels or decrease, which is barely louder than the sounds of two individuals talking to one another and family home equipment like dishwashers. The Theragun PRO and Theragun Mini are each good choices whose decibel ranges are round 65 on the best pace setting. For a fair quieter massager, take into account the Sportneer Therapeutic massage Gun, which solely goes as much as round 55 decibels.

Charging and Battery Life

A therapeutic massage gun’s battery life can vary anyplace from two to eight hours, relying on the mannequin, how typically you employ it, and what stage of depth you employ most frequently. Despite the fact that you’ll seemingly solely use it for a couple of minutes at a time, an extended battery life is helpful as a result of you should use the therapeutic massage gun for a number of days earlier than needing to recharge it.

It’s additionally good to search for a therapeutic massage gun that doesn’t take a very long time to cost for these instances when it unexpectedly runs out of battery. A unit that solely takes an hour or so to completely cost can come in useful in such conditions.

Amplitude

Amplitude refers to how far the therapeutic massage gun head goes up and down. A therapeutic massage gun should attain at the least 16 millimeters to be thought-about a percussion therapeutic massage gun, although few choices available on the market which can be listed as percussion therapeutic massage weapons truly attain that deep. Most attain nearer to 12 or 15 millimeters. Nevertheless, this generally is a good factor, as many people discover true percussive remedy to be too intense.

Different therapeutic massage weapons you’ll discover available on the market, just like the Ekrin Athletics Bantam Mini Therapeutic massage Gun, solely attain so far as 10 millimeters. Nevertheless, these could possibly be good choices for these with delicate pores and skin or anybody who prefers a gentler therapeutic massage expertise.

Stall Pressure

Stall power is the quantity of power you’ll be able to apply to an space earlier than the therapeutic massage gun’s motor stalls. It’s typically listed in kilos and ranges from 20 to 60 kilos, for essentially the most half. Stall power can have an effect on which therapeutic massage gun you resolve to buy as a result of it signifies how aggressively you’ll be able to press the system into your muscular tissues. In flip, this impacts the depth of your therapeutic massage.

A stall power of at the least 30 kilos is good when you want low- to moderate-intensity massages. A stall power of at the least 40 to 50 kilos is best when you want a extra aggressive self-massage.

Percussions Per Minute

Percussions per minute (PPM) is the variety of instances the massager’s head will hit your muscle per minute. These can vary anyplace from 1,700 to three,200 PPMs. Most therapeutic massage weapons, together with the Theragun PRO, REP Rapidstrike, and Hyperice Hypervolt Go, provide a number of completely different pace settings, so you’ll be able to tailor your therapeutic massage based mostly on which muscle you’re concentrating on or how sore you’re.

Design

The design and product weight of a therapeutic massage gun can affect how comfy it’s to carry. A heavy, cumbersome therapeutic massage gun could also be tough to make use of, particularly you probably have dexterity points. It may possibly additionally trigger wrist fatigue to settle in rapidly or make it more difficult to hit the focused areas successfully.

In our expertise, therapeutic massage weapons with triangular-shaped handles, just like the Theragun PRO, are simpler to maneuver than these with straight handles, just like the OLsky Therapeutic massage Gun. Straight handles could make it tougher to hit hard-to-reach areas, just like the scapula within the higher again.

Greatest Therapeutic massage Weapons: Facet-by-Facet Comparability

FAQs

Analysis

1. Kim, J. Y., Kang, D. H., Lee, J. H., O, S. M., & Jeon, J. Okay. (2017). The results of pre-exercise vibration stimulation on the exercise-induced muscle harm. Journal of bodily remedy science, 29(1), 119–122. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.29.119
2. Konrad, A., Glashüttner, C., Reiner, M. M., Bernsteiner, D., & Tilp, M. (2020). The Acute Results of a Percussive Therapeutic massage Therapy with a Hypervolt Machine on Plantar Flexor Muscle groups’ Vary of Movement and Efficiency. Journal of sports activities science & medication, 19(4), 690–694.