Buyer's Guide: How to Pick a Massage Gun
In this week’s post we’ll be taking a look at some home use equipment for self-treatment in the form of a massage gun. While not your typical massage chair or massage device, massage guns offer a good option for self-treatment via a handheld device that can be adjusted to different speeds that allows you to work on some of your “sticky” muscles. Some types of massage guns even come with multiple attachments that range for a more pointed massage, or a rounder smoother massage. So many models exist so we’ll be breaking down what to look for at different price points!
High - End: Theragun Pro
The Theragun Pro is the type of massage gun you see in high level collegiate settings and sports settings but can be pretty pricey. The cost of the Theragun will net you the massage gun itself which comes with variable speed and is definitely one of the quieter of the massage guns. The $600 dollar price tag also nets you two additional batteries, a carrying case, and six additional attachments for different types of massage feels. Theragun was one of the first brands to bring massage guns to the mainstream market and the company has exclusive deals with various professional sports organizations. Just keep in mind you don’t need to shell out this much for a good massage gun, however, this is an effective and reliable option.
Mid Range: Achedaway
Achedaway falls within the mid range cost for a massage gun but is by no means less effective than some higher end models. This company connected with our practice in the last year and is the percussive tool of choice by Dr. Raines. The Achedaway is a five-speed massage gun advertised for different levels of muscle recovery. This gun also comes with 4 different attachments to provide different massage effects as well. The gun itself is fairly quiet as massage guns go and will typically set you back $399 (at the time of writing this article it’s $229). This is another great contender if it falls into your budget, as it is powerful, comes in an all-in-one package, and has a reasonable price point.
Low Cost Range: MuscleGun Go
Low cost doesn’t necessarily mean not as good. The MuscleGun Go fits into our lower, more affordable cost of a massage gun. This brand is Dr. Corey’s choice percussive device - you can see him employing several generations of their products in our office. This compact massage gun doesn’t have all the bells and whistles as the others in this list but is still an effective option. It comes with four attachments, and three adjustable speeds. It’s also very portable, about the size of your standard cell phone and is also on the quieter end of massage guns. This model will set you back $150, but we have exclusive discount codes and the company hosts sales about every 3 months.
Other Models:
There are a significant number of other, perhaps less well-known massage guns that you can find on Amazon that can typically run less than $150 (sometimes below $100). These models are just as effective but it’s a good idea to do your research on the model before purchasing it, especially in the realms of durability and reliability. Otherwise, it just falls into finding a massage gun that works for you. The biggest concepts to consider are:
Carrying Case
Multiple Batteries
Battery Life
Warranty
Attachments
Reviews
In regards to self care, a massage gun is a really good option but isn’t always needed. Most of the time, you can experience similar benefits with a piece of foam roller made of PVC or a lacrosse ball. If you have more questions about massage guns, feel free to ask next time you’re in our office or shoot us a message/email.
Until next time!