If your massage gun is causing you pain or making things worse, Sherry suggests consulting with a medical professional, who can rule out any issues. A small 2020 study in the Journal of Sports Science & Medicine found that 16 male volunteers reported an increased range of motion after a 5-minute treatment with a massage gun on their calf muscles. Research on the efficacy of massage guns is still limited, however. In this study, for example, participants didn’t use the percussive massagers on themselves; someone else performed the treatment. In contrast to most of the cheap devices the ABOX massage gun has a changeable battery. However, there is one disadvantage. You cannot buy the battery separately, which makes the advantages a bit more difficult. I got the information from the manufacturer myself. Our experts at the MH Lab tested the mettle of the best massage guns on the market. And, as the list below shows, they were more than up to the challenge. While it’s easy to get carried away with the speed setting, I recommend starting with the lowest speed and then working your way up, as you find what speed setting works best for you. This can also vary depending on what massage head you’re using.

Our team has travelled and researched to create for you a highly affordable device which retains all of the innovative technology. The case does have a slight odor. I think it will dissipate. I have smelled this odor with other products. Also, if you pause it and restart, it will restart at the setting you last used. Just keep that in mind. I suggest that you always start it with the massage head away from your body or the person getting the massage. Same when you make speed adjustments, you may want to lift it off and then adjust the speed. I suggest this because you may increase the speed more than you wanted to or you may have a tendency to press the massage head too hard as you push the adjustment buttons.I have used the massage gun according to these recommendations. I have achieved very good results in my regeneration. Stroke depth: Sherry suggests considering the stroke depth or “amplitude” of the massager. “A cheaper massager you can buy at the grocery store might plunge at 1/60th of the depth [of a high-end massager],” Sherry says. Ergonomics: Look for a gun that easily allows you to reach the areas you want to massage, Gangstad suggests, so you don’t have to contort your body. In our evaluations, we found that devices with a triangle or partial triangle-shaped grip tend to perform best in measures of ergonomics, says Paul Ritchey, DrPH, a human factors and ergonomics specialist in CR’s Consumer Experience and Usability Research program. To make sure you actually like using the gun, Davé recommends venturing to a walk-in store where you can hold the massager in your hands.

Move slowly up and down the length of the muscle for around 30 seconds – if you find a particularly sore spot (or ‘trigger point’), spend a little more time on it, but there's no need to apply more pressure. Try not to wince. Certain medical conditions may also make massage guns unsafe to use in particular areas. For example, Sherry says people with low bone density should proceed with caution. Davé adds that it’s crucial to avoid using a massage gun near surgical wounds, in areas with deep-vein thrombosis (often indicated by swelling, pain, and warmth), or near a pacemaker or any other type of implanted hardware. Pregnant people should also avoid using massage guns, Davé advises. And they should never be used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, stress fractures, or acute inflammation. Davé says that anywhere between 6 to 10 minutes is usually enough. “In general, start low and go slow,” he adds. “Listen to your body, and stop immediately if you feel any pain.” Overstimulating the muscle can cause damage, bruising, and in severe cases, rhabdomyolysis (the acute breakdown of muscle tissue). Attachments: It comes with 4 attachments which are more than enough to work out just about any knots or pain I have. The attachments go in easily and have a satisfying "grab" when you push them in. The only way I know how to describe what I mean by "grab" is to compare it to the slight pull of a magnet when you put them close. This massage gun comes with a case that has a handle and a place for the charger. Usefully, the manual bag contains two spare seals that can be called upon if any of those on the heads fail over time. The design is also practical if you want to carry the massage gun with you for use after training sessions, or at the office.

Invest in a high-quality massage gun and you can use it before training to prime your muscles for a session, or post-workout to ward off any potential DOMS. It will help you recover faster, boost your circulation and lymphatic drainage, increase your flexibility and extend your range of motion – ultimately improving your performance across the board. Think of it as foam rolling turned up to eleven.