Nothing can replace a nice massage after a long hard day at work. But we don't always have the opportunity to go to the salon and get one. That's why getting a gun massager is a good idea. This is a very popular product right now and for some good reasons. It helps a lot of people relax, has good health benefits and works wonders for your muscles.

How Does a Massage Gun Work?

A massage gun is a handheld device that works on your sore and irritated muscles by releasing vibrations and deep oscillations. The percussive therapy they give is applied by a forward and backward movement of the gun. This way it releases pressure and relaxes the muscles. People will benefit a lot from these powerful muscle guns for everyday use.

They also improve blood flow and circulation in the sore area, increase your flexibility, and improve your athletic performance. Research proves that it can also help in health conditions such as osteoarthritis, sciatica, scar tissue and fibromyalgia. Plus, you’ll get a good night’s sleep and get rid of accumulated stress.

What to Consider When Buying

Power

When we refer to the power of the gun, we take into consideration 2 things. The first one is how fast the head moves (oscillates) and the second is the depth or the amplitude at which the head moves. These are the two most important factors that will determine your level of comfort and the work of the gun.

A massage is a very personal thing because different people like different types of massages. Some of them like it a little rougher and some enjoy in a gentle and soft massage. No matter which category you belong to, you should always choose a massage gun that has multiple speeds. This way you can adjust them according to your needs and personal preferences.

Most of them have 2-5 speeds that give you control of the speed. There's also the depth of the massage. This comes down to how close the head travels to your muscles. If you want a light massage the depth should be smaller. If you want the gun to reach your muscles and apply more force, you should adjust it to a bigger depth.

Portability

For the most part, people do their gun massages at home. And this is absolutely fine. You feel most comfortable there and can relax after a long day. But when the time comes to go on a camping weekend, business trip or on a holiday, you should take your massager with you. That's why it’s a good idea to look for a portable one.

They usually come in a case. All of the parts are carefully placed inside. This way they’re protected from damage during transport because the inside is coated with some kind of foam or soft material. The parts have their own slots and won’t bump into each other. Plus, it’s easier to transport it this way and you won’t lose any parts during the travelling. Most of them are around 900-1,000g in weight so carrying them around shouldn’t be an issue.

Design

Once you start searching, you'll find muscle guns with different designs. Some of them have handles so you can hold them and some have a battery that holds them. Many of them have a modern design and are sleek, but some are more traditional and more focused on functionality instead of looks. Depending on your personal preferences and the body part you want to treat, small details, like buttons and handle placement will make a difference.

A longer handle is better if you want to reach your back and adjustable heads are good for reaching from different angles. Most of them are ergonomic and will fit perfectly in your hand. It's important that they’re lightweight so your hands won’t get tired fast. These guns mainly come in darker colours such as black, dark blue or brown. But there are brightly coloured ones as well.

Battery Life

Almost all massage guns are cordless and run on rechargeable batteries. There are exceptions of course, but those are just a few. Overall, a battery that lasts between 2-3 hours is enough to give you a proper massage even when it’s used at full speed. Consider this when you go shopping. Decide how long will the massages be, how often will you use them, and whether will you be the only one that uses them. But if you don’t want to worry about recharging, get one with a cord.

Warranty

In some cases, spending a lot of money doesn’t mean that you’ll get a long-lasting, high-quality gun massager. So before investing in an expensive device, look for a manufacturer that offers warranties. This way you can get it replaced or fixed if it malfunctions or stops working. Most of the warranties last up to a year, and some can go for 2 years. Make sure you read reviews, comments and experiences of other people that bought the product.

Extra Features

Long gone are the days when the massage gun was a plain device that has no other functions or features. Nowadays they have a built-in Bluetooth connection. This way the device connects to an app made by the manufacturer. In this app, you can get personalised plans, ask questions and get some advice on getting the most from your massage gun.

Some of them even have a Wi-Fi connection with built-in programs. These programs guide you to a perfect massage experience and treatment. They automatically upgrade every few months. This means new treatments and programs once in a while. Of course, there are independent apps that let you connect your device to them and let you change the settings of the gun and give you guidance on the best massage options for you.

Noise Level

Massage time = relaxation time. This means no loud music, no conversation and outside noises. So the massage gun should be as quiet as possible to make sure it’s giving you the whole experience. The noise level of these devices can vary between 10 and 70 dB. This means the noise can be something between breathing and the sound of a vacuum cleaner. Many people want the device to be as quiet as possible so they stick to the 10-30dB range.