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We love that this massage gun effectively reaches specific trigger points and particularly sore spots. It's quieter than Opove's previous model, the M3 Pro, formerly our best overall massage gun. It's also more compact and easier to maneuver than its predecessor, making the Apex an easy choice for our best overall spot. As fans of deep tissue massage, we also love that the device comes with multiple smaller attachments for more intense kneading. Although this massage gun has a hefty stall force of 50 pounds, it's still quite lightweight, only weighing 2.3 pounds. Theragun is a powerhouse in the massage gun market, and after testing the brand's most popular massage gun models, the Theragun Prime (4th Generation) was our favorite. In fact, it earned an overall higher rating than the more expensive Theraguns we tested. We felt it was very effective at relieving sore muscles after a workout and was easy to hold and quiet. It's a budget-friendly massage gun option from the brand that still provides all the features you need for sore muscle relief. Athletes on a budget looking for more intense massage gun therapy and people who want and can tolerate deep tissue massage. Among the six interchangeable heads HoMedics includes with its Pro Physio massage gun are a ‘heat head’, which you can set to heat up to 47˚C in less than two minutes, and a ‘cold head’, which you can keep in the freezer. For many, these will make all the difference to training and everyday comfort. The device is also mercifully quiet, and glides smoothly over your skin or clothes, whichever head you use (barrel, ball and arrow are all included, as well as cellulite, hot and cold). Best for those with a weak grip or hand or wrist pain who are looking for a device that is compact, lightweight, and easy to hold.
Noise: Not listed | Stall Force: Not applicable | Weight: 0.6 lbs | Customizability: 6 attachments | Battery Life: 2 hours | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5 Noise: 42 dB | Stall Force: Not listed | Weight: 1.3 lbs | Customizability: 4 head attachments, 4 speeds | Battery Life: 5 hours | Our Overall Rating: 5/5 When it comes to mid-workout treatments, a similar approach is taken. “During a workout, there are times when someone may feel tight and want to stretch between exercises, which may actually decrease their performance by negatively affecting their force output,” warns Giordano. “Instead try flushing the area for 15-30 seconds to increase blood flow and decrease muscle tension. This should excite the muscle, loosening it again for the rest of your workout." Ease of Use: Massage guns that score well for this attribute should make a massage session seamless and enjoyable. To test ease of use, we evaluate how easy it is to charge and set up the massage gun. We consider how simple it is to change out the attachments and adjust the settings during a massage session. We also consider how comfortable it is to hold the device for a long time and whether we can use it to reach different muscles. As with stretching, though, you’re advised not to overdo it. Don’t be tempted to use your massage gun for more than 10 minutes in one go, especially on the higher speed settings. Experts suggest focusing your massage gun on each muscle group for only up to 30 seconds before and during exercise. Then once your workout is done, you can go at it a bit more, spending up to two minutes on each muscle group.
Amplitude: This means the depth to which the massager can penetrate your muscles. If you’re an athlete wanting a powerful machine for effective muscle recovery, go for an amplitude of at least 12mm. A couple of our best sports massage guns have an amplitude of 16mm. They may often look like power tools, but the benefits of massage guns include decreased muscle tension, relaxed muscles, and promoted blood flow,” says Dr Daniel Giordano, CMO of Bespoke Treatments. “We use one on a daily basis, and it can be used before, during or after a workout.” How to Use a Massage Gun for Best Results
The power button is located on the bottom of the handle, and is also used to control the gun’s speed. There are four intensity settings, which you can cycle through by pressing the power button while the gun is on. The power button is surrounded by eight LEDs: four red ones on the right that indicate the battery charge level, and four white ones on the left show the intensity. As for cheaper massage guns, these tend to have harder attachment heads (which make for a slightly less comfortable experience), a shorter battery life, or are less durable. If there's a choice between a cheap muscle gun and a more expensive massage gun that's on sale, we'd always suggest going with the one that looks like it will last the longest and is the most specced out. If it comes with a warranty, even better. Do massage guns work? The Renpho R3 is the other massage gun we’ve reviewed in-depth. It can’t equal the Theragun Elite for brute power (hence its four-star score), but as the second-cheapest massage gun on our list it offers amazing value for money. When seeking out the top massage gun lines, we found that many companies now offer a miniature version of their full-scale guns, so we started out by testing smaller versions from Theragun and Hyperice. These mini massagers are designed to be easier to travel with and store, but they have value beyond portability.
Transform your fitness programme and improve performance with our guide to the best massage guns
SPY Senior E-Commerce Editor Taylor Galla testing the Theragun Mini in her home gym. Taylor Galla | SPY What Is a Mini Massage Gun? They’re designed to combat muscle soreness and aid recovery. It’s a deep tissue massage of sorts, achieved through rapid percussive movements that stimulate muscles, enhance blood flow and soften knots. You can use them while warming up or post-work out, and they feel good too, hitting all the right pressure points that can enhance the production of endorphins. At the very least, massage guns can provide some short-term relief for problem areas. If you prefer something more personalised, there are heaps of tutorials to choose from via the Therabody app. On-screen visuals show exactly where you need to massage, which motions to use and how long for. And, if you link it up with Apple Health or Strava, it will even suggest massages based on your recent workouts. Portability: Some massage guns lend themselves to travel better than others. While testing our massage guns, we look for travel-friendly features, like a compact design, a carrying case with space for attachments, and a secure off-and-on setting. We also consider whether it's quiet enough to be used in public settings (like a gym or the airport), and if the battery life is long enough to last during our travels. Verywell Fit / Jhett Thompson Guide to Choosing the Best Massage Gun What to look for in a massage gun
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