Massage guns are handheld products that a person can use to target any muscle area. They may help with general muscle pain, and people often use them following a workout to aid recovery.
People can choose from a range of available products. They may wish to consider various factors, such as design, noise level, and portability, when making a decision.
This article discusses how massage guns work and their benefits and risks. It also lists some of the massage guns that are currently available to buy.
How do they work?
Massage guns use percussive therapy, which is similar to vibration therapy. They oscillate forward and backward, applying pressure to tense muscle tissue. In doing this, they can help release buildups of fluid and tension from the area.
Research shows that a person may benefit from vibration therapy if they exhibit muscle tenderness during workout recovery. These individuals may consider using a massage gun post-workout because it might help remove lactic acid buildup from the muscle, which is usually the cause of muscle soreness.
As the results of a 2014 studyTrusted Source indicate, vibration therapy may help ease delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
What are the risks?
With incorrect use, massage guns may injure the body. For instance, they may cause ruptured blood vessels, nerve sensitivity, or muscle fiber damage.
A person can take steps to lessen the chance of causing damage. These include:
- starting with the massage gun on a slow setting
- taking extra care around bony areas
- avoiding nerves and blood vessels, especially in the neck
- not overmassaging any one region of the body
- following the manufacturers’ recommendations — most massage gun models come with a maximum recommended use of 2 minutes on each muscle group
- taking extra care around pulled muscles and torn ligaments
People who are pregnant or have deep vein thrombosis (DVT) should consult a doctor before using a massage gun and follow their advice.
How to choose a massage gun
People looking to purchase a massage gun may wish to consider:
- Power and speed: Most models of massage gun offer a choice of speed and power settings.
- Portability: Some models are lighter and smaller and have a longer battery life to facilitate easy transportation.
- Design: Some massage guns may make accessing difficult-to-reach areas of the body easier by having features such as an extended handle.
- Warranty and reviews: Reading trusted reviews for products could help when deciding on the best model. It is also essential to look at the warranty terms, should there be any fault or need for a replacement product.
Top 5 Massage Guns of 2023
Theragun PRO
For users with a big budget and a demanding fitness regime, the Theragun Pro is the professional piece of kit all others aspire to be.
The Theragun Pro features six head attachments. It has five speeds with a maximum PPM of 2400 PPM. Whilst this isn’t as high as some of its competitors, Therabody says its gun stands apart from its peers with a 16mm amplitude that reaches 60% deeper into muscles than other massage devices.
The massage gun also comes with a carry case to store the gun, charger, and head attachments.
Price: $599
Hypervolt
Top-of-the-range massage guns appear on the wish lists of anyone who takes sport seriously, even though the science is still inconclusive on their effectiveness and they cost a fortune. The Hypervolt 2 Pro(opens in new tab) is no exception in that last regard.
It’s made by Hyperice – a California-based manufacturer of recovery technology – and is designed to deliver targeted pulses of pressure to prime your muscles for exercise, boost mobility, relieve tension and accelerate recovery.
The Hypervolt has 5 speeds, 5 massage heads and a battery life of about 2-3 hours. The RPM ranges from 1,700 to 3,200, which is higher than the Theragun, but the amplitude is lower at only 12mm.
Price: $279
Hydragun
The Hydragun has a premium build, works marvellously well to soothe strained and fatigued muscles, but also comes with a relatively premium price tag. It’s cheaper than a Theragun Pro or Theragun Elite, though, and ships with six attachments and has six speed options.
It doesn’t come with all the features of a Theragun, like Bluetooth support for a connected app and an OLED display, but the Hydragun does exactly what it says on the tin – relieves everyday aches and pains, and loosens tight muscles after a workout.
Price $299
Ekrin B37
The B37 is a perfect all-rounder. Long, angled handle will give you about an inch or two more when reaching the lower back. It is also easy to manoeuvre – weighs only 2.2lbs, and has a lot of rubber on a handle.
Price: $229
RenpHo
Despite the low cost, the Renpho R3 GM171 massage gun is very well made. It’s available in two colours – black or blue – but whichever you choose you’ll get a sturdy carry case, the massage gun itself, and an impressive five different massage heads (ball, “air-cushion”, fork, bullet and flat heads), each of which is aimed at a specific type of massage or part of the body.
Price: $159
Frequently asked questions
These are commonly asked questions that people may have about massage guns:
What massage gun do professionals use?
There are a variety of massage guns available and professionals may have their own personal preferences when it comes to which they opt for. A person may consider choosing a product that has a lightweight design if they travel regularly.
They may also opt for one that has different speed and power settings if they are looking for a deeper massage.
What massage gun is best for a newbie?
Those new to using a percussive massage device might find one in the mid price range best, from $100-$300.
There are a lot of devices in the price range, including some top brands like the Theragun Prime and the basic Hypervolt.
These are good devices for someone new to percussive massage, but there are cheaper devices with many more speeds as well – and having more speeds can be very useful for someone who’s new to this, or nervous about it, or even someone using a device like this on sore or painful areas, as the speed can be increased and decreased more gradually and gently.
Do massage guns get rid of knots?
Poor posture and lack of activity most commonly lead to muscle knots. Using a massage gun may help to ease muscle tightness, but it is not proven to be a solution medically.
Treating poor posture may be a more effective way to treat knotted muscles.
Summary
Massage guns may benefit people who have specific discomfort in their muscles or frequently experience muscle pain after exercising, but this will not be the case for all users.
However, with incorrect use, they carry some risk of muscle damage or injury. Following the manufacturers’ safety advice is essential.
A person should consider what features are most important to them before exploring the options from different brands.