The Theragun PRO is a good option for serious athletes, as it offers several speeds and attachments for a deep and powerful massage. While plenty of people report positive experience with the devices, experts maintain that there will need to be more research into the benefits of percussive therapy to say for sure. However, it’s not the most portable of devices, so if you’re looking for something to throw in the gym bag at a moment’s notice, you may prefer something lighter.

It’s easy to operate, and the user guide that’s included means you can develop and adapt your own routines instead of following along on a connected app or video tutorial. Gua sha: This traditional Chinese healing technique uses a tool to apply pressure to acupressure points and scrape your skin. Tools come in different shapes to target specific areas of the body. They’re small enough to toss in your bag to use on the go. Professional sessions are available, often from acupuncturists. Speeds: 6 | Attachments: 6 | Amplitude: 12 millimeters | Weight: 1.5 pounds | Battery life: 240 minutes | Warranty: 1 year As long as you can tolerate the noise, the Vybe V2 Percussion Massager is a good option if you only plan to use it occasionally or want to try out a massage gun before investing in a high end model. Massage guns relieve muscle tension and loosen muscles before and after workouts which encourages muscle recovery and reduces DOMS. They also promote blood flow, encourage lymphatic drainage, and can even improve sleep and immunity, according to leading massage gun brand Pulseroll. Massage guns are far more cost effective than visiting a physiotherapist or paying for a singular massage, as most come with at least two years of guarantee.Professional massage: A massage from a licensed therapist is one of the best ways to relieve muscle tension. For affordable options, search for community clinics, massage schools, and businesses offering a sliding scale.

The weight: while heavier models can often signify more power or a longer battery life, the last thing you want is to have to lug around a weighty device when you’re out and about or travelling. Think about where you’re most likely to use your massage gun - if it’s at work or at the gym then you might benefit from a lighter model. However, the percussion range – the vibration intensity or the number of hits per minute – is pretty standard. We’re glad they didn’t interfere with this aspect of the massage gun because we feel you still need intensity even in a heated gun.The Prime comes with four attachments, and I really noticed the difference in quality here, too. Cheaper competitor brands had attachments that felt rough to the touch, like a washing up sponge, or else too hard and plastic to feel that you could really go to town with them. The Theragun attachments are made of a smooth, non-porous ‘closed cell foam’ – it felt the best against my skin, didn’t catch on my clothes and is easy to clean. Hyperice’s newest percussion massage gun is the Hypervolt Go 2 and it’s extremely portable, weighing only 1.5 pounds. Put simply, it’s a handheld device that sends vibrations through your muscle at a high frequency of around 40 percussions per second”, says Jonathan Codling, a physiotherapist at luxury health club Third Space in London. “These vibrations are called percussive therapy, which is based on the principles of massage, vibration therapy and foam rollers.” A powerful motor ensures that a massage gun provides effective and consistent pressure from start to finish. Consider the motor's specifications, including percussions per minute, stall force and amplitude, as these metrics shape the experience. Battery Life

Using a massage gun during pregnancy may provide similar benefits to prenatal massage. A 2021 research review suggests that relaxing massage during pregnancy may help alleviate pain, boost mood, and improve sleep. Several alternatives to massage guns provide comparable benefits. You can use these methods individually, in combination, and with massage gun therapy. Sams L, et al. (2023). The effect of percussive therapy on musculoskeletal performance and experiences of pain: A systematic literature review.The device offers five speed options, allowing you to dig deep or go lighter on more sensitive areas.

Caleel calls it a great tool for professionals and novice athletes alike. She likes the lightweight design and ergonomic handle, and said this makes it comfortable and easy to use on yourself or others. The PRO stands out from others on the market due to its ergonomic grip and adjustable head, which allows you to apply the massager at different angles without tiring your hand. It comes in a nice travelling case and you’ll also find in there five attachments. Its 2600mAh battery is on par with other devices in our review, providing between 3-5 hours of use on a single charge. The battery is also removable, adding to its convenience. As with all our massage gun tests, we tested the decibel levels of each setting to see how noisy the HoMedics Pro Physio could be during operation. The gun comes with three speed settings: Any massage gun should be comfortable to hold and easy to maneuver. Look for a design that allows you to reach various parts of your body without straining, and be sure to consider the size and weight, as these affect its ergonomics. While most massagers have a similar L-shape, some models, like the Theragun Elite and Mini, use a triangular design in an attempt to improve ergonomics. Noise

Instead of the usual Theragun triangular handle, this has an ergonomically curved grip that sits in your palm. It was easy to use for treating my quads and calves, but I didn’t find it as user-friendly as the grip on other Theragun devices for getting to hard-to-reach spots. It also has a smooth finish that looks nice but feels somewhat slippery. With so many powerful “mini” massagers on the market — see: the Roll Recovery R1, Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2 and Theragun Mini — I found the Gravity Relax to be a little bulky. It’s about the size of a hair dryer, which isn’t a big deal for at-home use, but I did have to rearrange things in my carry-on to fit it. it also comes in an attractive storage case that houses all the attachments and chargers, but that was way too much to travel with, so I opted to bring only the gun and heated attachment.