Sore back, sore neck, calves, arms, shoulders… you name it. Whether you’re new to the sport or you’ve been practicing BJJ for some time, it’s a pretty safe bet you’ve been plagued by at least one of these painful problems. The good news is, post-workout, sore muscles don’t always have to be an issue that lasts for days on end, with the right recovery routine.
The importance of proper recovery as part of your exercise or training program is not to be underestimated. Not only will it help you optimize your performance in the long run, but it helps set up the building blocks for your body to heal itself between training sessions. A great recovery routine reduces your risk of injury, too. Over time, these benefits will help you meet your BJJ and other training goals more quickly.
Sports massage is just one of such ways to make sure your recovery routine is top-notch. It can be used pre or post-workout, as well as whilst rehabilitating or training.
At its core, sports massage is the repeated manipulation of soft body tissues which focuses on muscle groups involved in specific sports. There are a variety of movements and techniques used within sports massage, encompassing everything from compression, to tapotement, to petrissage, to percussion.
Percussive massage, in particular, is fast becoming one of the most universally preferred methods of achieving better athletic performance, recovery, and well-being. Its mechanism of action involves injecting small, powerful bursts of pressure, combined with vibration, into the body’s tissues. It’s able to reach even deeper muscle layers than a traditional massage or a foam roller.
The other unique thing about percussive massage is that it reduces the sensitivity of the area surrounding the sore muscle, until the pressure penetrates the deeper target area. This makes the gun able to apply large amounts of pressure, without causing too much pain, unlike when a traditional massage therapist works on those problem areas.
It seems like there’s now an infinite range of massage guns on the market, ever since the technique of percussive massage has become mainstream. Here’s a list of some of the best on the market:
Best Overall: Theragun Pro
Price: $599.00 on Amazon
This professional percussive therapy device really does stand out from the crowd. Developed by Dr. Jason Wersland, it also has a number of smart capabilities – such as an OLED screen and Bluetooth connectivity via an app. The app can be used to change the speed, and it also comes with 6 interchangeable foam attachments. These features combine to give the user a personalized and powerful deep muscle treatment.
What We Liked:
- Each foam attachment has an impact rating from 1-10, so you can choose the intensity of your massage.
- It’s quiet without compromising on power: the brushless motor with QuietForce technology makes the Theragun Pro as quiet as average massage devices.
- The OLED screen displays the speed and force of the massager throughout use.
- It comes with 2 rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
- The app runs personalized wellness routines based on your behaviors and preferences.
What We Didn’t Like:
- The massager can be a bit too powerful for those who are new to percussive massage therapy.
- Purchasing one will set you back by almost $600.
Editor’s Choice: VYBE Percussion Massage Gun – Pro Model
Price: $199.99 on Amazon
This gun is perfect for breaking up stubborn muscle knots after an intensive workout. It’s got 9 different speed settings and 8 interchangeable attachments made from both metal and durable plastic, so you can truly customize your post-workout recovery routine. It also has an impressive three-hour battery life on a full charge.
What We Liked:
- It has longer-than-average battery life.
- It’s quiet, with a noise level of 60 decibels when running.
- It’s compact and convenient, so can easily be taken out in a backpack or carry-on.
- Each attachment is designed for a specific muscle group, for a more holistic deep tissue massage.
- Comes with a 1-year warranty.
What We Didn’t Like:
- It’s quite a heavy massage gun, despite its small size.
- It’s prone to overheat when used continuously for long periods.
Best Budget Massage Gun: Cholas Massage Gun
Price: $49.99 on Amazon
This is the cheapest massage gun on the list, but still, it provides great relief for aching muscles – it’s certainly powerful enough. It comes with 10 different massage heads and has a whopping 30 different running speeds. The LCD screen on the gun shows the intensity of the massage, and the device has ultra-strong built-in heat dissipation capabilities, reducing the risk of malfunction.
What We Liked:
- It’s cordless, so can be used wherever is convenient.
- Long run time of up to 6 hours.
- Incredibly quiet running noise level: between 20-30 decibels
- The entire massage gun is ergonomically designed with the aim of helping you to get to spots that are difficult to reach.
- The main ball attachment is made with soft rubber, rather than plastic.
What We Didn’t Like:
- It would be more convenient if the massager and attachments came with a carry case, rather than a bag.
- The vibration with this gun seems to be more of a focus than percussion.
Best Portable Massage Gun: Theragun Mini
Price: $199.00 on Amazon
The Theragun Mini is top-notch when it comes to massage guns you can pack into your bag for those days when you’re out and about – whether you’re going to and from the gym, a match, or just on the move. Used worldwide by hundreds of professional sports teams, as well as celebrities and athletes, the Theragun Mini is a compact, adapted version of the company’s world-renowned Theragun.
What We Liked:
- QuietForce technology ensures that the Theragun Mini runs at a discrete, near-silent volume.
- It comes with a Standard Ball foam attachment, but is compatible with all 4th generation Theragun attachments.
- Boasts an impressive 150-minute battery life on a full charge.
- Weighs an impressively light 1.4lbs.
- Much cheaper than the larger-size models.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Has its own proprietary AC adapter, so it’s not compatible with USB or USB-C chargers.
- Not quite as powerful as the larger model.
Best Range Of Attachments: FITPULSE Muscle Massage Gun for Athletes
Price: $79.99 on Amazon
This massage gun comes with an impressive 17 attachments, and it’s modestly priced, too. It was designed with not just serious trainers in mind, but also for those who are just looking for a way to relax, and those who suffer from chronic pain. This gun has an amazing battery life of up to 6 hours, and charges rapidly.
What We Liked:
- Available in almost 20 colors, from black, to hot pink, to lime green.
- The 17 attachment heads are designed for massaging every single muscle in the body.
- It has 30 adjustable speed levels.
- It runs quietly, with noise levels reaching only up to 60 decibels when running.
- Comes with a carry case for storing the gun and all its attachments.
What We Didn’t Like:
- It’s quite heavy, which can be inconvenient when you want to get to those hard-to-reach spots.
- The touch screen isn’t very sensitive – this can be frustrating when you don’t want to move the massager, but want to change the speed level.
Best Easy To Use: TheraGun Prime
Price: $299.00 on Amazon
The TheraGun Prime is a simplified version of the company’s flagship product, the TheraGun. It prioritizes the essential features of the TheraGun, so you can still harness all the power and effectiveness it provides. The TheraGun Prime also connects to the Therabody app via Bluetooth, so you can run personalized wellness routines based on your preferences and behavior.
What We Liked:
- The ergonomic multi-grip provides a variety of ways to hold the gun comfortably, without putting strain on the arms or hands.
- It’s able to run for 120 continuous minutes on a full charge.
- Comes with 4 easy to clean foam attachments, with each one designed for different intensity levels.
- Any speed can be selected between 1750 – 2400PPM via the app, but there are also 5 set speeds to choose from.
- Its simplified treatment options make this gun ideal for those who are new to percussive deep tissue massage.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Compared to some other similar models, the TheraGun Prime is quite expensive.
- The battery runs down faster when operating the massage gun at higher speeds.
Runners Up
Here are some other notable massage guns which finished in second place to our category winners:
Athphy Massage Gun Deep Tissue with Percussion Memory
Price: $99.99 on Amazon
This gun was designed for professional-grade deep tissue massage, body recovery, and pain relief. It’s suitable for near enough anyone, from athletes to office workers to the elderly.
What We Liked:
- Percussion count & full color HD LCD touch screen.
- Automatically saves usage habits for the next use.
- Runs for approximately 8 hours on a full charge.
- Noise reduction technology ensures the gun runs quietly during use.
What We Didn’t Like:
The gun is less effective when the battery runs low.
Expansion Wellness Percussive Massage Gun for Muscle Treatment
Price: $149.99 on Amazon
This massage gun has a 180-degree rotating arm, making hard-to-reach spots that much easier to access. It comes with five silicone massage heads, and charges from 0 to 100 per cent in just 90 minutes.
What We Liked:
- The premium travel & storage case enables the gun to be taken anywhere.
- Up to 8 hours of battery life on a full charge.
- Very quiet running.
- Ideal for anyone, not just athletes.
What We Didn’t Like:
There’s a large enough space between the gun and the massage head that it can sometimes pinch the skin.
Hardnex Massager for Back Pain
Price: $79.98 on Amazon
This massager is capable of producing up to 3600 percussions per minute, comes with 8 different heads for targeted treatment, and has 20 different speed options.
What We Liked:
- It has an LED battery indicator, so you’ll know when it’s running low.
- Charges from 0 to 100 per cent in under 2 hours.
- It’s got an anti-slip silicone handle for easy gripping.
- Comes with a convenient carry case for storage and travel.
What We Didn’t Like:
The battery life is not great – it runs for 6 hours at the very lowest speed.
Flyby F1Pro Deep Tissue Massage Gun
Price: $59.99 on Amazon
This reasonably priced, lightweight massage gun weighs in at just 1.8lbs. It also comes with 6 interchangeable massage heads.
What We Liked:
- Great price.
- Super lightweight and portable.
- Available in either black or grey.
- High pressure: max 150lbs.
What We Didn’t Like:
- It’s pretty loud.
To sum up, here are some key stats from our top 4 massage guns:
| Theragun PRO | VYBE Percussion Massage Gun – Pro Model | Cholas Massage Gun | Theragun Mini | |
| Price | $599.00 | $199.99 | $49.99 | $199.00 |
| Power | 60lbs/1750 – 2400 PPM | 33lbs | 1800 – 3600 PPM | 20lbs/1750 – 2400 PPM |
| Weight | 2.9lbs | 4.29lbs | 2.86lbs | 1.4lbs |
| Features | 6 Attachments, 5 Speeds, Smart App Integration | 9 Speeds, 8 Attachments, Quiet Running | 30 Speeds, 10 Attachments, Near-Silent Running | 3 Speeds, Ultra-Portable, Carry Case |
| Battery Life | 2 x 150 Mins Each | 3 Hours | 6 Hours | 150 Minutes |
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