If exercises depart your physique stiffer than a barbell, it is likely to be time so as to add top-of-the-line therapeutic massage weapons to your package bag. By hammering your muscular tissues with hundreds of vibrations per minute, these therapeutic utensils stimulate blood circulate, improve restoration and usually beat you into higher form.
Like fitness center members, therapeutic massage weapons are available in a variety of styles and sizes. From moveable pistols for reduction on the street, to pro-grade weapons that serve up the punchiest of percussive therapies, we’ve picked out our favorite instruments for DIY physio within the checklist beneath.
Lingo received you tied up in knots? We’ve additionally deciphered the important thing specs to bear in mind when looking for a prime therapeutic massage gun. Whether or not for earlier than, throughout or after train – or to ease the aches of a sedentary desk day – the fitting mannequin ought to depart your muscular tissues feeling extra limber and fewer like timber.
What’s the perfect therapeutic massage gun?
We predict the perfect therapeutic massage gun is the fifth Era Theragun Professional (purchase now). The newest massager from Theragun has five-speed settings, comes with 5 interchangeable heads and an adjustable arm with three positions, plus a carry case.
Different therapeutic massage gun suggestions
1. Theragun Professional (fifth gen)
You’d get a number of remedy periods for the worth of Theragun’s range-topper. However because of its built-in show, you shouldn’t want skilled assist: apart from exhibiting a real-time drive readout, the OLED panel visually guides you thru focused routines. Choose from 4 preset programmes, or go full physio and create your individual within the app. It additionally runs quieter, lasts longer and hits deeper than earlier editions.
2. Therabody Theragun Mini (2nd gen)
Use a Toblerone as a curler and also you’ll be all off form. Use this rounded triangle for therapy and your rigidity ought to soften sooner than a chocolate dumbbell. Shrunk for its second era, Therabody’s moveable power-up is mild sufficient to reside in your fitness center bag, but nonetheless delivers three speeds and an amplitude of 12mm. Syncing it by Bluetooth unlocks recipes for candy leisure.
3. Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2
After a tough day pursuing insurgent scum, even Stormtroopers deserve some R&R. This minimalist gun includes a soft-touch arctic end which completely enhances the Empire’s standard-issue armour. Outfitted with a grip extra ergonomic than any blaster, its one-button interface can’t be set to stun – however it could possibly cycle by means of three speeds of remedy, with two attachments that will help you direct its supply of the Drive.
4. Compex Fixx 2.0
Straining to hit tough bits might depart you needing additional remedy. This adaptable equipment makes it simpler to succeed in knotted nooks throughout your DIY therapies, and has a stall drive of 40 lbs (18 kg). Disguised as a cordless drill, its battering arm can rotate to swimsuit the job at hand, whereas the slanted handles allow you to grip two methods. Merely slot within the battery cartridge and switch the dial to amp up the PPM.
5. HoMedics Professional Physio Therapeutic massage Gun
Repeatedly pummelling your muscular tissues is one path to restoration. Toasting them is one other. This vibrating support does each: in addition to pulsing at as much as 3000rpm, it ships with a tip that reaches 47⁰C in lower than two minutes, for heated reduction that reinforces your blood circulate. Eager to chill off? Freeze the separate gel head for a calming dose of post-gym jiggling.
6. Hydragun Atom Mini
It’s not microscopic, however this miniature machine is as compact as they arrive. True to its atomic moniker, the 550g cylinder sports activities an aluminium shell that’s the envy of the periodic desk. And regardless of its compact proportions, it nonetheless packs the ability to wobble your molecules: boosted by USB-C, the palm-sized pounder pumps out greater than 50 beats per second at a drive of 15.4lbs.
7. Pulsio Elite
It takes greater than brute drive to restore an aching physique, however you continue to want some thump to correctly hit the spot. Whereas this instrument received’t make you a grasp masseur, it can produce a large 89lbs of stall drive. It’ll additionally hammer the supply of your stiffness with as much as 6500 percussions per minute, whereas its dampened motor is masked by your grateful groans.
8. MuscleGun Carbon
Goldilocks didn’t mention dreams of becoming a sports therapist. If the porridge robber did rehabilitate by gaining an NVQ, this would be her weapon of choice: it’s built to be just right. At 980g, the angled handle is solid in the paw yet easy to wield. And with a 12mm amplitude, 44lbs of stall force and five speed settings, it can aid recovery after woodland workouts – without being too powerful for Papa Bear’s bad back.
9. Recovapro MAX
Whacking with a mallet might mitigate muscular discomfort, but this beefy bludgeon will nail your aches better than any analogue gavel. Styled like something from Thor’s arsenal, its 90W motor runs for more than 300 minutes per charge. Percussion speeds can be tweaked via the app, while a 16mm amplitude promises to beat deep into your tissue. Seven attachments add versatility to your toolbox, too.
How to choose the best massage gun
Want to buy the best massage gun but don’t know where to start? Budget will play a key part here, of course, but so too will your prior experience will massage guns. Are you looking to upgrade from one you already own, or are you buying your first? If the latter then we highly recommend trying before you buy – after all, you wouldn’t want to splash out on the most expensive model to find it’s too heavy to use comfortably, or is simply too powerful for the sort of massage you want.
Key features and specifications to look out for include the massage gun’s speed options, which are usually measured in percussions per minute (PPM) and tend to range from around 1000 to over 3000 for the most powerful models. Also look closely at the stall force, which is measured in kg or lbs and can vary from under 20 kg to over 30 kg. This is how much pressure you can apply to the massage gun before its motor stops, so a higher stall force means the ability to give yourself a firmer, deeper massage. Again, make sure you’re familiar with what you like from a percussive massage and buy the gun that’s best for you.
How much a gun’s head moves can affect the pummel factor. Amplitude ranges from 8mm to a hefty 16mm. Vibration speeds also vary by model, although even on entry-level guns the fastest setting will still be intense.
Lastly, extra features to look out for include Bluetooth connectivity (used to communicate with a smartphone app), an adjustable arm for massaging in different positions, and interchangeable heads. Some massage guns even come with heads that are heated or which can be cooled in the freezer to aid muscle recovery.
If you’re looking for something to track your workouts, then check out Stuff’s guide to the best GPS sports watch.