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The best massage guns for post-run recovery — with 40% off our winner
There are a few ways you can
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Dragging yourself out of bed early in the morning can be a struggle at the best of times, but especially when crippling DOMS make your muscles feel like you’ve gone 12 rounds in the boxing ring.
There are a few ways you can alleviate post-run pain, from compression boots to foam rollers. One of the most popular, however, is by investing in one of the best massage guns on the market. These nifty bits of kit use percussive therapy to reduce soreness, pummelling your muscles of the best wireless headphones.
Best massage guns for runners
We searched high and low to find the best massage guns for runners, with options to suit all budgets and athletes. In the Runner’s World Lab, we put each one to the test, making sure they packed enough of a punch to soothe aching muscles.
Youll also want a range of:
The benefits of massage guns for runners
It’s the closest you’re going to get to having a massage therapist at your beck and call, so we are big fans. That said, massage guns work differently to human hands, using a series of rapid percussive motions to pound your muscles and get blood pumping to them sharpish. This increase in blood flow can help calm inflammation and soreness by removing lactic acid and waste products, aiding your recovery between and after workouts.
Massage guns can also be incorporated into your running warm-up routine to help loosen up your muscles, as well as during exercise to help clear your limbs of lactic acid and toxins.
How much do massage guns cost?
We’ll level with you, massage guns are pricey. The cheapest model on our list costs £49.99 while the mighty Theragun Pro 5th Gen will set you back over £500! However, it does boast a lot of features – six massage heads, five speed settings and an app – that not everyone will want, let alone need, so don’t assume the most expensive gun will be the best match for you.
How to choose the best massage gun for you
If you’ve never bought a massage gun before, it can be tricky to know where to start. But, here's a quick breakdown.
Serious athletes should look for a high amplitude. Measured in millimetres, this metric shows you how deeply the gun can hit and how powerful it will feel on your body. The punchiest models listed below have an amplitude of 16mm.
You’ll also want a range of speed settings – at least three, but ideally more for tackling both delicate and robust muscle groups. Opt for a gun that comes with a choice of massage heads, Best for serious athletes.
If you plan to take your massage gun to the gym or track, check whether it comes with a carry case for portability. And consider its size, weight and battery life, so you're not caught short without a charger.
How we test
In the RW Lab, our expert tester trialled a range of guns over a three-week period, using them after a variety of workouts, from running and HIIT to strength training and yoga.
They judged each machine on how easy it was to control and how smoothly it moved over skin without snagging. Each massage gun’s strength and effectiveness was also considered, as well as their design and how ergonomic their handles were, before final scores were awarded.
So, without further ado, welcome to the gun show...
17 best massage guns for runners in 2024
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Yanar has spent 15 years as a health and wellness editor and writer for national titles such as Women’s Health, Men’s Health and Runner’s World. Yanar is a 580-hour yoga therapist, 200-hour yoga teacher and level 3 personal trainer at Yanar Mind & Movement. After years of running races and marathons, she discovered CrossFit and Olympic lifting in her mid-30s and fell in love with training and competing. She now advocates strength training for women to build a stronger body for life and the benefits of nervous system regulation for better physical and mental health. When not training, teaching or writing, she can be found experimenting in the kitchen.
Jodie is our Health and Fitness product tester. She runs tests on a wide variety of products, including gym leggings, walking boots, fitness trackers and more. Jodie has managed the testing for 577 products to date, including working with over 600 panellists.
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