Have you been thinking of getting your hands on massage guns? If Yes. You are ready to banish your foam roller for good and here is a list of the best massage guns for pummeling your muscles in the quest for a peak performance. While they may look intense, they are actually an effective tool for bringing tired muscles back to life.
In the age of self-care, massage guns increase blood flow and loosens up tight spots, ideal for making your rest days work as hard as you. There’s no better time than now.
What is a Massage Gun?
Massage guns also known as percussion massagers. They are handheld devices that use vibration and deep oscillation to massage irritated muscles.
The idea of massage guns is to help loosen up tight and sore muscles, similar to that of a massage, as well as help stimulate blood flow to help increase recovery. It uses vibration therapy.
The massage guns have various speed settings to change the intensity of the massage and are also typically battery operated. Most of these massage guns come with interchangeable heads to target different muscle groups and parts of the body.
How Do I Use a Massage Gun?
Massage gun usage is the definition of simple. Start by choosing an attachment that will complement the muscle group you’re treating. Next, turn the massage gun on before you have it make contact with your body, and choose a speed (it is generally recommended to start at the lowest setting and work up). Just point the gun over the area you are targeting, around an inch away from your skin over whichever muscle you’re trying to loosen or warm up and hit the trigger for instant relief.
Adjust the pressure as you go, move slowly up and down the length of the muscle for around 30 seconds. When you find a tight or sore spot, spend a minute or two per area, holding the massage gun gently but steadily on knots and tender areas as tolerated.
Don’t overdo it, keep it brief and listen to how your body responds both immediately and the next day because the process is not supposed to be painful.
Massage guns should be kept away from bony areas, joints or tendons, acute injury, open wounds and any sprains should be avoided.
How often you use a massage gun should depend on your specific goals and needs. A few times a day, once a day, or once in a blue moon might just be what will suit your aim. (Overdoing it can result in bruising.)
What Should I Look for in a Massage Gun?
When you are looking forward to getting the best massage guns, preferably your purchasing priorities should center on noise, battery life, weight, attachment head and quality.
Generally, a good massage gun should be less noisy, with an extended battery life which should go for a few days to a week without a charge, based on around 15 minutes’ use per day. An increased price tag will also indicate a more reliable product but doesn’t necessarily mean an inexpensive massage gun is junk.
Benefit of Using Massage Guns
Investing in high quality massage guns prime your muscles for a session or post-workout before training to ward off any potential DOMS (Delayed onset muscle soreness).
- Massage guns help to quicken recovery.
- Boost circulation and lymphatic drainage.
- Increase flexibility.
- Increases mobility and extends your range of motion.
- Prevent body aches and pains.
- Increases blood flow to body areas to reduce soreness, tightness and pain.
- Assist with accelerating the repair and growth of tissues.
- Reduces lactic acid buildup that causes muscle soreness.
- Improving body awareness by promoting mind-muscle connections that may improve athletic performance.
And lastly, make sure you like the idea of massage guns. While most people enjoy the percussion and vibration feeling offered by the massage gun, others may just find them relaxing. It is important to read the safety instructions that come with the massage gun. Refer to a massage therapist or physician when in doubt if you are targeting the correct area to help with any pain you are experiencing.
Massage gun is a good tool if you know what to do and how. But it can also cause further issues if used in the wrong way.
