Massage Guns

Massage Guns also called Percussive Therapy Devices are handheld personal Massagers that are designed to relieve inflammation and tension. They are great for using before or after a workout and allow users to effectively give themselves a massage, instead of from another person.

Massage Guns have a similar form factor to a Hair Dryer with a handheld body that houses the engine, and a head that can be fitted with different attachments. Massage Guns can be used on specific muscle groups in your body and vibrate them with repeat, rapid impacts from the head. The speed of the Massage Gun can be adjusted for comfort and different massage heads can be swapped for different types of massaging.

It’s important not to overdo it when using a Massage Gun as this can over stimulate the muscle and cause bruising. A little goes a long way and a large muscle group like quadraceps will only need one or two minutes of use.

Whilst there is no evidence that Massage Gun use itself contributes to muscle building, it will help you feel better after working out, which in turn helps keep you motivated to stick with your workout routine. After all, the best workouts are any that are a regular habit.

When a Massage Gun is used on a particular group of muscles it increases blood flow, relieves tension and reduces pain within that area. If you are trying to build muscle, a Massage Gun will help you warm up before your exercise routines and make recovery more effective afterwards.

Massage Guns increase blood flow in the areas where they are used which helps move nutrients into the muscles with increased blood flow, and flushes out blood that can pool in the muscles which can lead to swelling. This increased circulation can also help flush out metabolites that can build up in muscles after a workout, which can cause a burning feeling in your muscles if left untreated.

Massage Guns and Foam Rollers are lightweight, portable self massaging aids. Both are great for providing self-massage to prevent and relieve muscle soreness, smooth out knotted muscles and release hormones that promote relaxation. Each method has different advantages and many people find that using a combination of both methods provides the best results. It's recommended to consult with a GP or physiotherapist before use or if you're experiencing significant or chronic pain.

Foam Rollers are designed to help loosen tight muscles and stretch out stiff joints. They work best in short intervals whenever you need a break or relief from sitting at a desk. When used before working out, rollers help increase range of motion and may help prevent injury. Using a roller after working out increases blood flow and helps cut back on recovery time.

Massage Guns are used to achieve similar goals but are better at providing deep, targeted relief to an area.
 

When shopping for a new Massage Gun, try to find a model that is a comfortable size and shape. Remember that you'll largely be massaging yourself so a model that will reach sore spots and is easy to hold in place for a minute or two is best.

A model with a wider variety of speeds is more versatile and has more opportunity to dial in the perfect intensity. Units with higher amplitude move further away from the base with each oscillation, which applies more force to the area for a deeper massage.

Most Massage Guns on the market are cordless so battery life is something worth considering. How long a Massage Gun will run for from a full charge will depend on the model and the settings. Most Massage Guns last between 2 to 3 hours at full speed, with some 1 hour and 4 hour models also available. If you value portability, seek a balance between the size / weight of the model and battery capacity.