Massage guns have taken over the world by storm in recent years. They’re popular among sports athletes, celebrities, and the like, and many claim to benefit from their effects. And unlike other sports gear fads that have come and gone through the years, the massage gun looks like it’s here to stay.
So, if you want to get a massage gun, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to pick the best massage gun.
What is a Massage Gun?
A massage gun is a device that simulates a hand massage. It applies pressure deep into your muscle tissue, which helps alleviate pain and loosen the muscle fibers inside. It is an ideal tool to use after tough exercise or when experiencing muscle pains.
Massage guns have multiple intensity levels that impact the rate of oscilation of the massage head. The higher the intensity, the more rapid the motion and the deeper the massage.
Massage guns also use different massage heads. Large round heads, smaller cone-shaped heads, and more all have a different use and target muscles differently. You can experiment with different heads and intensity levels to find which massage is most effective for you.
Why Do You Need a Massage Gun?
Massage guns may seem like a luxury, but you’ll find that they’re more useful than you think. And, they can be pretty affordable, too.
It relieves stress and muscle pain
Whether you woke up with cramps in the morning or overworked yourself at the gym, muscles tear and strain up on a regular basis. This can affect your overall productivity for the day, which is the last thing you’d want. It can also affect your mood and even result in increased stress levels.
Massage guns help relieve the pain and soothe the body like a typical massage. Instead of having to book a session days in advance, you need only to move the gun over the affected area for immediate results.
Having one on hand at home can make a huge difference in your recovery times. Using it soon after a tough workout can help you stay ahead of uncomfortable soreness, and using it regularly on problem areas can keep you away from costly visits to the doctor.
It’s a one-man machine
There’s one inherent downside to getting a traditional massage - it involves at least one other person. It’s very difficult to massage yourself, let alone on your back. Massaging with a massage gun is much easier, and doesn’t require a second person to work their magic. Simply hold the gun over the affected muscle group, and it’ll simulate the effects of a typical massage.
Most massage guns come with a variety of interchangeable heads that provide different sensations. Rotating through them can be similar to the techniques a masseuse may use, but some heads even offer a more targeted massage that you may never even get from a real person. These can be super helpful in working through specific stiff, tight, or sore areas on your own.
Things to Consider When Buying a Massage Gun
Remember these tips when you purchase your next massage gun.
Battery Life
Battery life may seem like something you don’t really need to worry about. After all, you’re only using the gun once every now and then, and you really won’t be using it for more than an hour at a time, at most. But if you move around a lot, you’ll find that long battery life goes a long way.
Say that you exercise regularly at the gym. A great time to massage your back and other muscles is right after exercise, while the body’s still working. This means you’ll need a massage gun with you. Having a long battery life lowers the chances of the massage gun not working when you do use it at the gym right after your session. And, if you do forget to charge the device, it also gives you more time to work with between charges.
Having a solid battery life will make a huge difference in your satsifaction with the tool. The less you have to worry about charging it, the more you can efficiently use it.
Intensity
Massage guns often come with sliders or knobs that let you control the intensity of the massage. However, this doesn’t change the fact that all massage guns have a minimum and maximum intensity that cannot be changed no matter how much you adjust the device. This can be important for people who prefer very light or very rough massages.
For example, if you prefer light massages, you’ll want a massage gun with low minimum intensity. On the other hand, if you want a very deep and powerful massage that goes right to your muscles, a strong massage gun is what you’ll want. Some massage guns make this their specialty, so be on the lookout for those if you’re looking for something extreme.
Massage Gun Price Range
If you really want to save money, you can get a massage gun for as little as $10. These guns offer very little in terms of intensity and build quality, but they’re great if you want to know how massage guns work in general. But be warned, these may not last you very long and will likely not deliver the same results as a more expensive, higher quality massage gun.
A decent massage gun can cost you anywhere from $40 to over $200, depending on the brand and features that come with the gun itself. These will likely have substantial battery capacities, a few intensity levels, and include interchangeable heads. When you're looking for a product that is supposed to help relieve your discomfort and speed up your recovery time, you won't want to skimp out on quality.
Massage Gun FAQ
Q: Are cheap massage guns good?
Cheaper massage guns can still pack the same punch as expensive massage guns, but you do end up sacrificing a few extra features, such as low noise levels, long battery life, multiple massage heads, and so on.
Q: Do massage guns work?
Massage guns do work, and they work by applying pressure deep inside your muscle tissue, which simulates a massage done by hand. Because you can easily target specific spots on your body, massage guns can work very well. This is an extremely effective way to relieve pressure, pain, and discomfort due to sore, stiff, and tight muscles.