Massage guns. Help me with this.

[HomerJS]

Looking to get one. I've check a few top 10 lists and most cost hundreds of dollars. Some as much as $500.

Checked Amazon and found a bunch around 50-80 and many rated fairly high.

Anyone know something about these things?

 

[deadlyapp]

Looking to get one. I've check a few top 10 lists and most cost hundreds of dollars. Some as much as $500.

Checked Amazon and found a bunch around 50-80 and many rated fairly high.

Anyone know something about these things?

The very high end ones were originally designed and marketed for PTs and such, and therefore commanded higher prices. There are some mid range ones now like the hypervolt and similar if you want a warranty / better support. We have one that probably cost around 100 and is modeled off the theragun, has an adjustable angle head, multiple attachments, variable intensity. It's been pretty good for the price.

I think Costco has been selling a mid range one in the $100 price range that would probably be a good bet and gives you their return policy if you have a membership. Otherwise on Amazon I'd just pick one from a seller with good reviews and a good return policy

 

[legcramp]

You don't need the super expensive ones... there are so many great ones in the under $100 range. Most of the super expensive ones were priced that way before these became available everywhere now.
I own this one.. use it everyday and it has A LOT OF POWER.

Amazon.com

 

[nitsuj3580]

Forget the massage gun. Have a jigsaw? Get massage adapters for it and you're good to go

 

[manly]

I don't own one, but I've seen a few of these. They all generally do the same thing, but the low-end ones have slightly worse fit and finish as you'd expect.

 

[deadlyapp]

Forget the massage gun. Have a jigsaw? Get massage adapters for it and you're good to go

This is true, and is what I originally did, but the jigsaws on the market are not well weighted and balanced for use as a massage gun. Honestly with how cheap massage guns are these days, it's smarter to just get one separately from a jigsaw.

 

[legcramp]

Blackleaf Massage Gun RelaxS (Various Colors) $24.50

BlackleafUS via Amazon has Blackleaf Massage Gun RelaxS (Various Colors) on sale for $24.48 when you clip the 20% off coupon on the item page and apply promo code 30NWZCW4 at checkout. Shipping is ...

slickdeals.net

Under $25 shipped for this one... I might pick up another one to throw in the travel bag..

 

[ch33zw1z]

I have a theragun prime and really like it. I bought the theragun because of the ergonomic triangle shape and the higher quality.

It's been a year and it's still going strong. I don't leave in on the charger, in an attempt to prolong battery life.

I don't use it exclusively, but as part of a foam roll and stretch routine.

I'm certainly satisfied with the purchase, and glad I bought the triangle shape, especially if your going to use it on yourself mostly. The standard gun shape is fine, but harder to get certain spots.

It will hurt at first, but after a minute or two that spot feels much better.

Edit: I also wish I woulda bought their elite model, comes with the wedge attachment and a bit more stalling force.

 

[mike8675309]

I question the value of what is marketed as Massage guns for use by those not trained to use them. When I've seen them used in a medical environment, or by chiropractors, or physical recovery specialists they are not used as what many normally see a massage tool used for. They are not used to loosen muscles, instead used to trigger body response to increase blood available to an area, warming it and making it more responsive to any articulation about to occur. Thus they won't be used for a long time, instead used for 1 to 3 minutes in an area.

You can get the same response by using your hands in an area, but for those doing this multiple times every day as part of a job a tool helps reduce physical stress on their body.

 

[sdifox]

Forget the massage gun. Have a jigsaw? Get massage adapters for it and you're good to go

You mean recip saw dildo attachment right?

 

[Scarpozzi]

My wife got me a theragun prime for Christmas. It's pretty tough and does the job. I really like using it on the bottoms of my feet.

She's had knots in her shoulder blades the past few weeks from standing in the kitchen canning tomatoes.(we had lots this year) It's helped her a bunch.

I also own a body buffer.

https://www.amazon.com/BFF-2-0-Miracle-Body-Buffer/dp/B00CZF9QS0

Basically, it's a car waxer style massager with a soft cover. It does a decent job on wider surfaces like leg muscles where a trigger point stuff doesn't work as well.

 

[YuliApp]

i own this one and can recommend. Costs 60ish €

 

[purbeast0]

Those of you who use these, how do they compare to the foam rollers, if you also do/did that?

I use the rollers sometimes on my legs but I dunno, I haven't felt TOO much benefit from it if I'll be honest. It may all just be placebo for me it's hard to tell.

I've been contemplating getting one of these too but just not sure if it'll be worth it.

 

[deadlyapp]

Those of you who use these, how do they compare to the foam rollers, if you also do/did that?

I use the rollers sometimes on my legs but I dunno, I haven't felt TOO much benefit from it if I'll be honest. It may all just be placebo for me it's hard to tell.

I've been contemplating getting one of these too but just not sure if it'll be worth it.

Whatever you use more does the most. Absent mindedly foam rolling or massage gunning will get you the same results. If you know where to target and work on things regularly, and often, and in tandem with static and dynamic stretching, then they can do wonders.

I find myself on foam rollers rarely actually working effectively, with the gun I'm more actively working the tissue and it's generally more productive for me.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Yep, it's one of those things that you just gotta try, and pay attention to. Foam rolling does a great job and really helps identifying target spots. Hit those with the gun later for some extra love.

 

[purbeast0]

Yeah I would pretty much strictly foam roll my IT bands and then my hamstrings and quads. It felt good and kinda hurt at the same time, but like, I just don't know if it actually did anything. I wouldn't say I was mindlessly rolling either, i was targeting areas that were bothering me, especially my IT bands. Now that I'm talking about it, they actually do feel better now and don't ache like they used to, but it could also be because i switched up my leg routine for a while and that was when I was rolling em out.

I haven't really used the roller in a while though, like a month+.

I do have some shoulder issues and am wondering if the massage guns targeting the specific area would be helpful. My shoulder has been getting better though for sure but it never really gets 100% which is frustrating.

 

[deadlyapp]

Yeah I would pretty much strictly foam roll my IT bands and then my hamstrings and quads. It felt good and kinda hurt at the same time, but like, I just don't know if it actually did anything. I wouldn't say I was mindlessly rolling either, i was targeting areas that were bothering me, especially my IT bands. Now that I'm talking about it, they actually do feel better now and don't ache like they used to, but it could also be because i switched up my leg routine for a while and that was when I was rolling em out.

I haven't really used the roller in a while though, like a month+.

I do have some shoulder issues and am wondering if the massage guns targeting the specific area would be helpful. My shoulder has been getting better though for sure but it never really gets 100% which is frustrating.

Foam rolling IT band, while it feels good, does nothing generally. Now if you're hitting the parts of the quads, hamstring, up into the hip, and glutes, you're generally helping out the connective parts of the IT band. The IT is just too big for rolling and stretching to do much.

Yes, massage guns are great for working the pectoral, traps, lats, and if you have a friend, the back part of your lats. I can usually get a bit more pressure compared to a lacrosse ball

 

[purbeast0]

Foam rolling IT band, while it feels good, does nothing generally. Now if you're hitting the parts of the quads, hamstring, up into the hip, and glutes, you're generally helping out the connective parts of the IT band. The IT is just too big for rolling and stretching to do much.

Yes, massage guns are great for working the pectoral, traps, lats, and if you have a friend, the back part of your lats. I can usually get a bit more pressure compared to a lacrosse ball

Yeah my one buddy who is a personal trainer and recommended me try foam rolling my legs, also said to try a lacrosse ball right in the front where my shoulder/pecs meet. However my lazy ass never bought one or tried it out. That is good to hear about it putting more pressure than the lacrosse ball though.

And while I was typing this out, I just remembered my brother bought one of the high end $500 ones before the knockoffs came out for like $100. I'm gonna try to borrow his for a bit and see if it helps and if so then I'll snag one for myself.

 

[deadlyapp]

Yeah my one buddy who is a personal trainer and recommended me try foam rolling my legs, also said to try a lacrosse ball right in the front where my shoulder/pecs meet. However my lazy ass never bought one or tried it out. That is good to hear about it putting more pressure than the lacrosse ball though.

And while I was typing this out, I just remembered my brother bought one of the high end $500 ones before the knockoffs came out for like $100. I'm gonna try to borrow his for a bit and see if it helps and if so then I'll snag one for myself.

Using a lax ball to release the tissue around the pec is an amazing feeling, especially if you do a lot of internal rotation (using a computer, more frontal plane movements like bench, etc). Best thing I've found to do is release the pec, release the lats (lax ball, barbell mash, or foam roll under armpit), and then do some back activation work with a crossover symmetry or some small change plates. Helps a ton with shoulder pain and instability.

 

[purbeast0]

Borrowed my bro's and used it yesterday and today my shoulder as noticeably more aggravated so I won't be getting one myself. I still lifted heavy at the gym this morning and did shoulders, but it was bothering me a bit more than it typically does.

 

[mike8675309]

The purpose of massage is to relax muscles and recruit the body rebuilding action which brings more blood to a stressed area that supports repair. You can easily bruise the area if you are not doing it right. You don't want to be pressing down hard on the area, instead, use moderate pressure to help hold the tool over the area and move it around, don't let it sit in one spot.

 

[deadlyapp]

Borrowed my bro's and used it yesterday and today my shoulder as noticeably more aggravated so I won't be getting one myself. I still lifted heavy at the gym this morning and did shoulders, but it was bothering me a bit more than it typically does.

I've found that sometimes it loosens up tissues in a way not expected and if you had been compensating it can make things worse. I generally try not to use it immediately prior to a workout unless I know certain parts of me are very sore.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Borrowed my bro's and used it yesterday and today my shoulder as noticeably more aggravated so I won't be getting one myself. I still lifted heavy at the gym this morning and did shoulders, but it was bothering me a bit more than it typically does.

I agree with @deadlyapp , massage guns can yield unexpected results, and not all are the same. I would recommend getting some practice with it and if you know that you have tender spots then go at them in your off days. Like after the workout for your shoulder maybe, instead of before.

I will say the should is one of those tougher spots to get to, for me at least. I can get my traps and outer shoulders ez enough, but below that is not really doable

My theragun says I can use it preworkout, but I don't think it gets me ready enough. I prefer the Limber 11 and extra foam rolling to get ready.

 

[MrSquished]

If I had a clitoris I would definitely get a couple of these

 

[IanCurt]

I have a Bob & Brad. thing is awesome. It's like the #3 reviewed massage gun behind the $400 Theragun/Hypervolt brand.

Do not cheap out and get one of the knockoff amazon models. i bought one to try out and the weak motor… you can tell a big difference.