This 5th gen model has really stepped things up a gear with the addition of an OLED screen, which shows four visually guided routines to really help you nail that ache. Its adjustable arm means you can use it all over your own back, but our testers noted you can’t see the screen if you’re doing that. Just point the gun at your fleshy target renpho massage – 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. Kells McPhillips is a health and wellness writer living in Los Angeles. Her journalism has appeared in The New York Times, Well+Good, Shape, Fortune, Runner’s World, Outside, Yoga Journal, and others.
Small, but packing a punch, the mini massage gun from pulseroll has been our go-to massage gun for those quick little tune ups prior to and after running. It packs away nicely and provides enough myofascial stimulation through speed and head choices to satisfy most peoples needs. The business end of the Renpho R3 Mini Massage Gun features the usual circular slot, into which you guide your chosen massage head.
There are two massage heads and access to Hyperice’s comprehensive app comes as standard, too. Our expert said it was a cinch to use, with one responsive control button that was easy to reach mid-massage for cycling through the speeds. The lights help show which setting you’re on and will signal when it’s almost out of juice, ensuring you never have to skip a post-workout pummel. This is Theragun’s third entry on our list, proving the brand really lives up to its hype. Although the USP here is its dinky size, that hasn’t stopped it still being a powerhouse machine. It’s even smaller and lighter than the 1st gen model, so it’s super easy to slip into your gym bag for a quick post-session massage, or clip onto the outside of your bag thanks to its nifty travel case.
In professional settings, massage guns can enhance what a massage therapist, physical therapist, or athletic trainer can offer—with less wear and tear on the practitioner’s hands, wrists, and elbows. “It gets you a lot in a very short span of time,” said Ericka Clinton of the Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences. What we do know is that a massage gun cannot flush lactic acid from your muscles renpho foot massager (that’s not how muscle soreness works). It can increase circulation—but so can taking a walk (as Aschwanden pointed out). It can also help work out a tight spot in your shoulder at the end of a workday, contribute to an energizing pre-workout warm-up, or soothe your legs as part of a post-run recovery. Therapeutically, using one can feel great—and that might be one of the most important factors.
The second-gen Theragun Mini is quieter than the original Mini, 20% smaller and 30% lighter. This time around you get three attachments with your Mini instead of just the one that the original had. The massage guns might be the biggest draw in this deal, but they’re not the only things you can save on. You can also get discounted heated eye massagers, leg massagers, and even hair and beard trimmers. As long as you can tolerate the noise, the Vybe V2 Percussion Massager is a good option if you only plan to use it occasionally or want to try out a massage gun before investing in a high end model. It features five intensities geared toward warmup, fascia relief, lactic acid breakdown, deep tissue, and professional impact.
We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology. If you use our links to purchase something, we may earn a commission. While early massage guns cost a fortune and were only used by chiropractors, that’s now beginning to change. First, Theragun popularised the category, and now Chinese brands such as Renpho are bringing the technology to the masses.
The compact Theragun Mini measures 6 x 5 x 2 inches and weighs less than one and a half pounds. Though it only comes with the standard ball-head attachment, this travel-friendly massage gun offers percussive therapy with vibrations as fast as 2400 RPM. The Hypervolt Plus is one of the spendier options out there, but its high-tech design doesn’t disappoint. This powerful massage gun connects to the Hyperice app via Bluetooth to guide you through acupressure routines designed for every body part and muscle group. What’s more, the brand’s patented Quiet Glide technology calls on a high-torque motor to help your muscles warm up and recover from each routine. Between the slender grip and the product weight of just 1.5 pounds, I find the R3 easier to hold for longer periods of time compared to other similar massagers.
We looked at the top Muscle Massage Guns and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we’ve determined the best Muscle Massage Gun you should buy. A professional can also advise you on the best practices if you’re healing from an injury or surgery. To ensure safety, Decker recommends focusing on muscle and fascia, while avoiding bones, tendons, joints, and ligaments. Massage guns can also help promote relaxation, mindfulness, and body awareness. Focusing on the sensations in your body encourages present-moment awareness.
For comparison, massage guns that aren’t explicitly categorized as minis tend to weigh between 2.5 and 4 pounds. As I mentioned earlier, the Renpho R3 isn’t quite a renpho foot massager mini, but it isn’t quite full-sized either. Although this massage gun has a hefty stall force of 50 pounds, it’s still quite lightweight, only weighing 2.3 pounds.
Ingrid Skjong is a supervising editor on the appliance team, focusing on the likes of ranges, refrigerators, dryers, and dishwashers. She previously covered fitness for Wirecutter and has been an editor and writer at various lifestyle magazines. Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.