Things you should know about massage guns
There are unique advantages of using a massage gun for muscle recovery, whether you’re working from home or recovering from a strenuous workout.
Things You Need to Know About Massage Guns
Our guess is right on the nose! If you go to the gym, often see a massage therapist, or visit a chiropractor to get rid of those knots riddled tightly around your muscles, you have probably noticed that a gun-shaped device is becoming prevalent as a form of self-massage. Nowadays, “massage guns” are more customary than you think.
A few years ago, some techies asked, “What if you could release a tense muscle yourself much faster, safer, and with almost no effort?”
Today, there’s this massage gun: a portable, rechargeable device that can bang away at your sore muscles at a rate of up to 2500 times per minute for as long as you can stand it. But before you plan on getting one, you should read this. Here’s everything concerning revolutionary massage guns.
Percussion vs. Vibration: what’s the difference?
If you’ve ever encountered a vibrating foam roller, you would know that the device works on target tissues using small oscillations. Unlike the first massage guns, newer ones called “percussion massagers” can reach an inch or more into the target muscle and massage it deeply and intensely.
Massage Guns are Beneficial for Gym-Goers and Athletes
Research has shown that a high-impact massage gun helps prevent DOMS and minimize pain and lactate levels after strength training, strenuous cardio, and a vigorous game like football. Massage guns make muscles more flexible and increase blood flow, which helps muscles heal and people recover from injuries.
The Best Way to Use a Massage Gun
“A little goes a long way with massage guns,” explains San, who works with mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters, NFL players, and other elite athletes. When you work your muscles to their absolute limit, you force fluid into the muscle and block its potential to drain. Rather than using the massager daily, switch up your routine, using contrast baths one day, the massage gun the next, a heating pad the third, and so on.
Key Features of a Massage Gun
Experts recommend prioritizing the following features when shopping for a massage gun.
Customization: pick one with various interchangeable heads to achieve more flexibility and versatility. E.g., medium and big rounded heads are appropriate for the gluteal muscles, whereas a “bullet” attachment may be the most effective for the shoulder area.
Easy to use: while some people are drawn to percussive guns with bells, flashy screens, and related apps, choosing a model you understand is critical. People are less likely to use a device if they perceive it to be complicated.
Portability: massage guns can weigh anywhere from a pound and a half to several pounds, making them easily portable. An easier-to-carry massage gun would be better if you are a frequent traveler.
Stroke depth: when comparing the depth of a high-end massager’s plunge to that of a low-end massager found in a supermarket, you may find that the latter goes only 1/60th as far.
Speed modes: while massaging sensitive areas, such as the calf, use a lower setting; when massaging massive muscles, such as the hamstring, apply a higher pressure.
Things to Look for in a Massage Gun
Consider carefully before spending several hundred dollars on a top-tier massage gun. Check out some reviews on the web as a first step. Given the wide variety of massage guns available, it’s crucial to know your individual preferences regarding weight, size, and the specific muscles you plan to work on. Make sure the gun has a variety of attachments that will allow you to access otherwise inaccessible areas. Plus, it should have different settings to adjust the gun’s intensity levels for gentler or stronger percussive effects.
The Takeaway
Massage guns produce the same precise results as traditional massage sessions but in a completely different way. Therefore, you should do adequate research before going about choosing one.