Should You Get a Massage Gun?
Massage guns, also known as percussion massagers, have gained much popularity over the past few years. These tools get their "power" from the speed of percussion rather than physical force. The higher the level, the faster the speed. You may have heard of top brands like Theragun or Hypervolt. You also may have searched Amazon and found a plethora of less expensive options. But how do you know which one to get? Or, should you even get one at all? Below, I hope to help you answer those questions.
Before I get too far, please note that this post is to be used for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used in place of consultation with your physician or other qualified medical professional. There are certain medical conditions where massages and/or massage tools are contraindicated. Also, this post does contain affiliate links. That means, if you were to click on the link and purchase a product, I could earn a small commission off my recommendation at no additional cost to you.
My favorite brand: Bob & Brad
Bob and Brad are, in their own opinion of course, the most famous physical therapists on the internet. They have hosted their own YouTube channel for several years and share thier knowledge and advice with short videos. They are definitely worth checking out! I'm not sponsored in any way by Bob and Brad - I just really love their YouTube channel and products! (Purchase links are at the bottom of this post).
Why you should NOT buy a massage gun (and why you should)
Watch the following video to hear from Bob and Brad as they discuss why a person should and shouldn't purchase a personal massage gun.
Once you have determined if a massage gun will suit your needs and is something worth investing in, it's time to decide which one to get!
Comparing Bob and Brad massage guns
As previously mentioned, Bob and Brad have created several personal massage tools. The two that I personally own and would recommend are the standard sized massage gun (the C2 model) and the mini sized massage gun (the Q2 model). The C2 is considered their standard size tool, but is definitely smaller in size than most massage guns on the market. However, don't let its size fool you - it still can pack a punch! I have the C2 model at my office and I'm happy to show it to you or use it during a massage session if you're interested. I have the Q2 model at home and honestly use it several days a week. It is the same height as a soda can, making it easy to grip and maintain control of. I will often sit on my sofa and use the massage gun on my shoulders, arms, and/or legs while watching TV in the evening. With both massage guns, I will often only need to use the lower 3 settings (of 5) because that provides the power that is comfortable and effective. The mini size has only a slightly less amount of power than the standard size. If looking for at-home use to recover after a workout or a long day at work, I would highly recommend the mini Q2 massage gun.
For an in-depth look into both the C2 and Q2 models, watch the following video review. Scott, the host, provides a wonderful breakdown of how massage guns in general work and are judged. Don't let the 20 minute run time of this video deter you - it provides a ton of information!
To learn more about the different heads/attachments on the massage guns, I recommend the following video by Bob and Brad as they describe the intended uses of each of the 5 included heads:
Where can I buy these massage guns?
Both of the Bob and Brad massage guns that I recommend are available exclusively on Amazon. Keep an eye out for when they have available coupons!