Best Massage Guns of 2025

Recovery is an essential part of training, just as important as the weekly speed workouts, long runs, and strength training. Having the best massage gun for your muscles can help speed recovery and help you feel better, faster. While the science behind massage is somewhat mixed, massage guns use percussion to help stimulate blood flow, release tension, relax muscles, and help calm your neurological system. These benefits can help reduce your perception of pain and soreness, particularly in the temporary window immediately following a hard workout or race.

To help you explore the world of massage guns and choose the best option for your recovery needs, we’ve researched and tested the best models currently on the market and laid them out below. We chose the Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro as our favorite overall massage gun for its power and versatility, while we appreciated the small size of the Therabody Theragun Mini when we were traveling. We thought the heated and cooled attachment of the Bob and Brad C2 Pro Massage Gun with Heat and Cold Therapy was a unique and beneficial add-on to our recovery routine.

For more background information on this guide, see our buying advice, testing methodology, and frequently asked questions below our top picks.

Best Massage Guns

• Best Massage Gun: Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro
• Most Innovative and Versatile Massage Gun: Brazyn Performance Talon Massager
• Best Budget Massage Gun: Renpho Active Massage Gun
• Best Massage Gun for Travel: Therabody Theragun Mini
• Best Massage Gun for Travel — Runner-Up: Roll Recovery R1 Percussion
• Most Unique Massage Gun: Bob and Brad C2 Pro Massage Gun with Heat and Cold Therapy

Best Massage Gun: Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro ($329)

Pros:

• Quiet
• Comfortable to hold
• Bluetooth connection to the Hyperice app

Cons:

• No carrying case included
• Heavy

If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line percussive massage tool to help your recovery, you’ll appreciate the Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro’s power and features. It has all the extras we could want in a massage gun, and we loved how quiet it was compared to other similar options, especially when we used it on its highest setting. This is an excellent option if you take your recovery seriously and have the budget for it.

The ergonomic handle is easy to hold, and the material is grippy, so it does slip, even when our hands were sweaty. This is especially important since this is the heaviest massage gun we tested. While heavy, we didn’t find it ungainly and could gently apply the right amount of pressure. Three LED indicator lights show you how much pressure you’re applying, making it easier to customize your recovery routine and reducing the risk of causing muscle damage. A dial on the back of the massage gun lets you cycle between five speeds.

The device runs on a 90-watt motor powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery located in the removable handle. It has five head attachments, including a fork, ball, cushion, flat head, and bullet. Also included in the package is a charger, four different adapters, and a storage pouch for the massage head attachments.

We were disappointed that this massage gun didn’t come with a carrying case. That said, the massage head and handle come apart, and you can stow the whole package in a relatively small space. To take your recovery to the next level, you can use the Hyperice app and connect the massage gun to your phone via Bluetooth.

To learn more about this massage gun, read our in-depth review of the Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro.

Weight: 2.6 pounds | Amplitude: Not listed | Speed Levels: 5 | Claimed Battery Life: 3 hours

Shop the Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro

Most Innovative and Versatile Massage Gun: Brazyn Performance Talon Massager ($239)

Pros:

• Incredibly lightweight
• Versatile, with four attachment heads, arm extension, and a gua sha scraper

Cons:

• A lot of components
• No pressure indicator

We’ll be honest; when we opened its carrying case and began sorting through its various components, we thought the Brazyn Performance Talon Massager looked slightly ridiculous. It initially seems unwieldy and somewhat silly when you take the remarkably small and lightweight massage gun and attach the giant talon to its base. But once we switched it on and started using the arm extension to dig into the knots behind our shoulder blades, our skepticism melted away, along with any muscle tension, and we became believers in the concept.

This unique device is impressively innovative and versatile. With it, you get a regular massage gun that looks and operates similarly to others. It has a soft, ergonomic handle and four massage heads, including a flat head, fork, ball, and bullet. It’s powered by a rechargeable battery and operated with a button on the top that lets you toggle between four speeds. Brazyn claims this device has a 12.5-millimeter amplitude, which is within the typical range for quality massage guns.

What makes this massage gun truly stand out is its 20-inch arm extension that attaches to the base of the massage gun and adds incredible range to the device. With the extension, it’s easy to access the back muscles, achieve different angles to reach the glutes and hips, and gain more leverage.

This setup includes a gua sha scraper that can also be attached to the extension arm in lieu of the massage gun for manual massage. Essentially, you get three separate quality massage devices, plus attachments, at a very competitive price point.

Weight: 1.6 pounds (2.4 pounds with arm extension) | Amplitude: 12.5 millimeters | Speed Levels: 4 | Claimed Battery Life: 4 hours

Shop the Brazyn Performance Talon Massager

Best Budget Massage Gun: Renpho Active Massage Gun ($120)

Pros:

• Affordable
• Excellent quality

Cons:

• It could have a longer battery life

Coming in at a lower price than many other top-end massage guns but with many of the same features, the Renpho Active Massage Gun is a great entry-level option for those on a budget or those who don’t need all the bells and whistles of higher-end options.

With five different head attachments, this massage gun is excellent for experienced users and those just starting to integrate one into their recovery routine. Some of the head options make it easy to dig into hard-to-reach places, while others provide massage over a wider area. The gun offers up to 50 pounds of massage intensity with a 10-millimeter amplitude. While this amplitude is slightly less than other options, it’s still plenty to get deep into the muscles.

The five different speed levels, ranging from 1,800 to 3,200 rpm, make it easy to customize your recovery routine. With a single button to control the entire massage gun, there’s an ease-of-use factor that we appreciate. We also liked the oval ergonomic handle that made it easier to grip than other massage guns.

The 2.5-hour battery life lasts a couple of weeks of regular use, and it’s easy to charge with an included USB-C cable. The massage gun and all the attachments fit into a convenient carrying case, keeping everything together when unused. Overall, we couldn’t tell much difference between this massager and the more expensive ones on the list. So, if you’re looking for a good value, we definitely recommend this one.

Weight: 1.5 pounds | Amplitude: 10 millimeters | Speed Levels: 5 | Claimed Battery Life: 2.5 hours

Shop the Renpho Active Massage Gun

Best Massage Gun for Travel: Therabody Theragun Mini ($199)

Pros:

• Powerful for its size
• Ergonomic and maneuverable
• Quiet

Cons:

• The storage pouch doesn’t have room for all three attachments
• No pressure indicator

The small-yet-mighty Therabody Theragun Mini is a powerful handheld massage gun that packs a ton of value into its compact triangular shape. Newly updated, it has three attachments: ball, thumb, and dampener. The setup is 30% lighter and 20% smaller than the previous version, making it even easier to travel.

Overall, this massage gun is a slightly pared-down version of what you get from a Theragun full-sized model — but only slightly. The massage gun comes with the included USB-C charging cord and a storage pouch. Unfortunately, the storage pouch didn’t fit all three head attachments simultaneously, which feels like an oversight. Like Therabody’s other massage guns, this one is also Bluetooth-capable, so it can connect to the Therabody app for recovery routines.

This massage gun operates using a button on the side to turn the device on and off and toggle between three speeds, indicated via LED lights. Therabody claims that this percussive massager achieves 12 millimeters of amplitude, which is comparable to full-sized massage guns and powerful enough to reach deep muscle tissue.

This device only lacks an LED pressure indicator to help prevent you from applying too much pressure. Nonetheless, this is a feature-packed device that’s an incredible value. It makes a great gift and is an especially ideal choice for travel.

Weight: 1.1 pounds | Amplitude: 12 millimeters | Speed Levels: 3 | Claimed Battery Life: 2 hours

Shop the Therabody Theragun Mini

Best Massage Gun for Travel — Runner-Up: Roll Recovery R1 Percussion ($129)

Pros:

• Quietest massager tested
• Great value
• Longest claimed battery life

Cons:

• Less powerful than other top picks
• No Bluetooth capability or corresponding app

Hands down the quietest massage gun in this guide, the Roll Recovery R1 Percussion emits only a gentle hum that’s actually pretty soothing to the ears. It’s a beautifully crafted device that conveys premium quality in its aesthetic and feel. This small handheld massage gun is lightweight and perfect for travel. It’s rechargeable and operated by a single button on the bottom of the handle that turns the massager on and off and toggles through four speeds.

This massage gun has four attachment heads, including a ball, fork, flat head, and bullet, a USB-C charging cord, and a velvety pouch that can hold all the components and cinch closed. It’s lightweight with an ergonomic feel and textured handle that makes the grip feel secure. Yet, despite its premium feel, this massage gun is noticeably less powerful than others in this guide, and Roll Recovery does not make any claims as to its amplitude.

However, that didn’t stop us from reaching for it repeatedly during testing, and it didn’t seem any less capable than the others. Less power also likely leads to this massager having the longest claimed battery life of any others on our list. As such, this massage gun would be a good option for those who want a well-designed, quality device but aren’t necessarily seeking the most powerful one.

Weight: 1.2 pounds | Amplitude: Not listed | Speed Levels: 4 | Claimed Battery Life: 7 hours

Shop the Roll Recovery R1 Percussion

Most Unique Massage Gun: Bob and Brad C2 Pro Massage Gun With Heat and Cold Therapy ($160)

Pros:

• The heating and cooling attachment is a unique add-on feature
• Good value

Cons:

• It can be a bit difficult to maneuver

Created by two physical therapists, the Bob and Brad C2 Pro Massage Gun with Heat and Cold Therapy adds a unique aspect to percussive massage therapy: an attachment that gets both hot and cold. While we admit we thought the attachment was a bit gimmicky at first, we were soon surprised by how much we were using it compared to other massage guns we were testing at the time.

The heating and cooling head attachment seamlessly switches between hot and cold so that you can customize your desired massage experience. We used this massage gun to recover from an injury and felt that the cold massage at the end of our runs helped us recover and got us back to consistent running faster than we would have otherwise. It felt like our muscles got the benefits of an ice bath, but without having to take an ice bath.

As a standalone percussive massager, it holds its own with a 10-millimeter amplitude, five different speeds, and a 55-pound stall force. An LED stall-force indicator shows how much pressure you apply to your muscles. The entire gun weighs 1.5 pounds, which is light enough to move around on our body, but it doesn’t have quite the extended reach of a massage gun with a longer handle.

The package includes recommended recovery routines, which is a bonus if this is your first massage gun and you want to learn how to use it effectively. The battery life depends on how much you use the heating and cooling, but we didn’t find it limiting as long as we regularly plugged the massage gun between uses.

Weight: 1.5 pounds | Amplitude: 10 millimeters | Speed Levels: 5 | Claimed Battery Life: Variable

MASSAGE GUN	PRICE	SPEED LEVELS	ATTACHMENTS	BATTERY LIFE
Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro	$329	5	5	3 hours
Brazyn Performance Talon Massager	$239	4	4	4 hours
Therabody Theragun Mini	$199	3	3	2 hours
Roll Recovery R1 Percussion	$129	4	4	7 hours
Renpho Active Massage Gun	$90	5	5	2.5 hours
Bob and Brad C2 Pro Massage Gun with Heat and Cold Therapy	$160	5	5	Variable

Glossary

• Amplitude – This is the displacement created by a vibrating wave. In the context of percussive massage, the distance the massage gun head moves during each cycle corresponds to the depth to which a massage gun pushes into the muscle. Most massage guns claim 12 to 14 millimeters of amplitude.
• Percussive massage – A massage technique that applies rapid, repetitive pressure to the soft tissue and vibration therapy to the outer layer of skin to release muscle tension, facilitate blood flow, and relax muscles.
• Vibration massage – A massage technique that involves pressing and releasing muscle tissue in an up-and-down movement. It can also include shaking the muscles to stimulate blood flow, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.
• Fascia – Thin connective tissue that wraps and holds every bone, muscle, organ, blood vessel, and nerve fiber in the body. Tight fascia can restrict muscle and joint movement.
• Myofascial release – A massage treatment to release tension in the fascia caused by trauma, inflammation, or posture.
  

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Massage Gun

Vibration Versus Percussive Massage

Vibration massage involves pressing and releasing muscle tissue in an up-and-down motion and shaking muscles to stimulate blood flow and promote healing. Percussive massage uses rapid, repetitive pressure applied to soft tissue to stimulate blood flow, release tension, and relax muscles. Percussive massage can include vibration massage therapy to the outer skin surrounding the muscle tissue.

If these two massage techniques sound similar, it’s because they are. The key difference is that percussive massage can reach deeper into the muscle tissue. A percussive massager with a large amplitude, like the Brazyn Performance Talon Massager, can get deep into the muscles to promote recovery.

The massage guns in this guide use percussive massage. The best massage guns will apply and release pressure against the muscle in an up-and-down motion. Examples of vibration massage therapy include vibrating foam rollers, orbs, and foot massagers. You can learn more about some of these products in our best recovery tools for athletes guide. These types of recovery tools can also provide a significant benefit, but they differ slightly from the percussive massage instruments in this guide.

Power

The more power a massage gun has, the more deeply it can impact your muscle tissue. However, it is possible to overdo it and cause bruising or other damage. The most powerful tool is not necessarily the best for you.

When choosing the best massage gun for your needs, consider your recovery goals and the kind of experience you want. If you crave a higher-intensity experience, though it should never feel painful, opt for a more powerful tool like the Brazyn Performance Talon Massager.

If you’re happy with moderate intensity, any of the massage guns we recommend would be worth considering. And if you prefer a gentler, less intense experience, you might look to the Roll Recovery R1 Percussion, which is on the lower intensity end of the spectrum among the devices in this guide.

Outside of this guide, how do you know how powerful a massage gun is? Its price will be a key clue — typically, more powerful massage guns are more expensive. Aside from price, you can consider amplitude if the manufacturer provides it. An amplitude of at least 10 millimeters is a good baseline. Most of the devices in this guide, including the Brazyn Performance Talon Massager, have a claimed amplitude of around 12 millimeters.

Amplitude

Amplitude generally refers to the displacement of matter by a vibrating wave. In the context of this guide, the amplitude is the amount that the head of a massage gun moves during each cycle. It also measures the depth a massage gun can push into the muscle. Most massage guns claim 10 to 14 millimeters of amplitude.

However, not all manufacturers list amplitude. If you see a massage gun with less than 10 millimeters of amplitude, it may not be powerful enough to promote recovery. On the other hand, more than 13 millimeters is probably more than you need. The Brazyn Performance Talon Massager has the largest amplitude of the massage guns in this guide.

Battery

Fortunately, most massage guns have a rechargeable battery, making these devices exceptionally portable and easier to charge between uses. In this guide, manufacturer claims regarding battery life range from seven hours on the high end for the Roll Recovery R1 Percussion to two hours on the low end for the Therabody Theragun Mini. The battery life on the Bob and Brad C2 Pro Massage Gun with Heat and Cold Therapy depends on how much you’re using its heating and cooling features.

However, you should only use massage guns for about 10 to 15 minutes at a time, so in theory, you’ll only have to charge it once every week or two. As a result, if you’re in a place with regular access to electricity and an outlet for recharging your massage gun between uses, battery life may not be a significant factor in your purchasing decision.

Speed

Massage gun manufacturers communicate speed in different ways, but the most common way is percussions per minute (ppm) or repetitions per minute (rpm), which is the same thing. The typical speed range is between 1,700 ppm and 3,200 ppm, and the massage guns in this guide offer three, four, or five speed levels. The top massage gun in this guide, the Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro, has five speed settings.

Having the option to choose different speeds can help you vary your massage experience and recovery routine, especially if you’re using a device with a Bluetooth connection to an app with programmable routine. Remember that while different speeds provide different sensations, higher speed does not equate to more powerful percussive massage. The Roll Recovery R1 Percussion, which we found to be less powerful than other options in this guide, also has a maximum speed of 3,200 ppm.

Attachments

Like speed variations, attachment heads let you change up your experience and target knots or points of tension in different ways. All of the massage guns above come with at least three attachment heads. Common attachments include the ball, fork, and bullet.

The Roll Recovery R1 Percussion, Brazyn Performance Talon Massager, and Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro also have flat attachments. The ball is usually the default, while the fork and the bullet tend to be made with firmer material and can help you target a precise location or smaller surface area. Most massage guns come with either a user guide or an app that explains how to use different attachments effectively.

The Bob and Brad C2 Pro Massage Gun with Heat and Cold Therapy has a unique attachment that gets both hot and cold, allowing you to apply targeted heating and cooling to your muscles as part of your recovery routine.

Noise Level

Your personal preference will determine how much a massage gun’s noise factors into your purchasing decision. While most manufacturers will tell you how quiet their technology is, it really comes down to your sensitivity to noise.

Generally, the higher-end massage guns tend to be quieter. In this guide, the Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro and the Roll Recovery R1 Percussion stood out for their lack of sound. None of the devices above are particularly loud.

Bluetooth Connectivity and Accompanying Apps

For some, a massage gun’s Bluetooth capability will be key, while others won’t care about its existence. Whether you opt for the app and its features and programs totally depends on the experience you want to have. Most devices included here have Bluetooth connectivity and a corresponding app (except the Brazyn Performance Talon Massager, Roll Recovery R1 Percussion, and Bob and Brad C2 Pro Massage Gun with Heat and Cold Therapy).

Among the others, the offerings are similar. They have pre-programmed routines, tips and tricks, and remote or automated controls. Note that Hyperice and Therabody both have an array of “smart” recovery tools that connect to a single app, so if you’re investing in multiple tools, it may be worth sticking to one brand and, therefore, one app.

Budget

The best massage guns run the gamut when it comes to price, from less than $100 to $600. To an extent, you get what you pay for. Higher-priced massage guns are typically more powerful and offer many features, including multiple speed levels, Bluetooth connectivity, premium materials, quieter operation, a pressure indicator, and more.

The lowest-cost options tend to look, feel, and sound cheaper. They might sound like lawnmowers or have cheap plastic handles. One device we tested, which definitely didn’t get considered for this guide, shut off with the slightest pressure — how annoying!

In general, when looking for the best massage gun, we avoided the least and most expensive options for this guide since most people probably want something in the middle. The best-value massage guns fall in the price range of around $150 to $400.

In this guide, the Roll Recovery R1 Percussion is a premium massage gun that costs only $129. The Therabody Theragun Mini is also a great value at $199. These are an excellent choice for a relatively reasonable cost. The Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro is the highest-priced option in this guide, but it provides an outstanding massage experience, and we think it’s worth the cost if your budget allows it.

Travel Compatibility

The tools in this guide will travel relatively well — they’re all TSA-approved for carry-on and pack down fairly small. The Brazyn Performance Talon Massager is one possible exception. It has many components, and its carrying case is still on the larger side.

However, even this device is quite portable if you leave the extension arm behind. You can disassemble the Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro into two pieces, so it’s straightforward to stow, even though it doesn’t come with a carrying case.

That said, the best traveling options are the Therabody Theragun Mini and the Roll Recovery R1 Percussion. These massage devices are small and compact, comfortable to hold, lightweight, less expensive than full-sized models, and — best of all — they sacrifice very little in performance. As a result, these two make great travel companions and offer great value.

Why You Should Trust Us

The iRunFar team comprises road, trail, and ultrarunners with 150-plus years of running experience who take their recovery seriously. We began this buyer’s guide by extensively researching the running recovery market to discover the best massage guns currently available in various categories. We then narrowed the list down to 19 choices to test.

For the initial publication of this guide, author Alli Miles tested a wide range of massage guns over many weeks as she built up her mileage while training for a 100-mile race. Miles generally used the massage guns in 10-minute increments at home and on the road and rated them on performance, battery life, size, noise level, speed and power levels, ease of operation, packability, and versatility.

After extensive testing throughout many sessions, she narrowed the list of the best massage guns to the ones above. The current edition of the guide includes many products that have been in testing for well over a year and a half. Some of the products have seen well over 1,200 minutes of testing.

We continue to monitor the recovery tools market and test new massage guns as they become available to compare them to our current favorites. We update this guide with new products when we find ones that offer the right combination of performance, weight, and price.

Frequently Asked Questions About Massage Guns

How does a massage gun help with running recovery?

A massage gun uses percussive massage and vibration therapy to apply pressure to the muscle tissue in short, rapid bursts. This technique can theoretically help break up adhesions and stimulate blood flow to the muscle to help heal and repair tissue inflamed or damaged by strenuous physical efforts.

Additionally, this type of therapy can help relax muscles and release tension, promoting blood flow and muscle repair while reducing soreness. Incorporating a small massage gun, like the Therabody Theragun Mini, into your recovery routine, whether you’re at home, at the gym, or on the road, can help with recovery anywhere you are.

Most runners use massage guns mostly on their legs, but the extension on the Brazyn Performance Talon Massager makes it easy to get to muscles in the back and other hard-to-reach places. The Bob and Brad C2 Pro Massage Gun with Heat and Cold Therapy has the added benefit that it can apply targeted heating and cooling to your muscles as part of your recovery routine.

What are the benefits of percussive massage?

Muscles sustain damage during a hard workout or race. During a workout, muscle tissue and tendons can become inflamed, muscle fibers can stick together and create adhesions, and microtears can occur throughout a muscle. As the body repairs this damage, the muscle becomes stronger.

Percussive massage may help kickstart the recovery process by helping stimulate blood flow, break up adhesions, and release tension in fatigued or damaged muscles. While the actual science on this is mixed, using a massage gun like the Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro can feel good and, if used properly, won’t hurt. Anecdotal evidence generally says that muscles feel better after being worked on with a massage gun. Investing in a budget massage gun, like the Renpho Active Massage Gun, can provide a leg up on recovery without breaking the bank.

Do massage guns really work?

Massage guns are a massage therapy tool, and the science of massage therapy and exercise recovery is mixed — particularly regarding the claims that massage promotes blood circulation and lymphatic flow. That said, studies have indicated that massage therapy can help reduce post-exercise pain, such as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). This benefit is more related to the neurological effects of massage — namely, an increased release of beta-endorphins and a decrease in stress hormones — than blood flow.

Read more about this topic in our article, A Million Modalities: The Science of Exercise Recovery. The bottom line is that a massage gun like the Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro can provide a short-term benefit after a hard workout. Even using a small one, like the Therabody Theragun Mini, can help.

Why am I sore after using a massage gun?

You should not be sore from using a massage gun — if you are, you likely overdid it. These powerful devices only need a few minutes per muscle group and little pressure to affect the muscle tissue. It’s a good idea to err on the side of being too gentle and avoid the risk of injury or pain.

We recommend being careful with a powerful massage gun, like the Brazyn Performance Talon Massager with its 12.5 millimeters amplitude. Many massage guns in this guide, including the Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro, have pressure indicators to help prevent you from applying too much pressure.

If you’re sore from your workout, it’s possible that the recovery provided by a massage gun isn’t enough to prevent it. After all, massage guns are only a tool to help recovery, not a complete prevention of soreness or DOMS. If this is the case, hydrate and rest, and you’ll probably feel better within a few days.

Are massage guns safe?

Massage guns are safe when used as directed by the manufacturer. Read the instruction manual included with the device carefully and follow its recommendations. It’s always a good idea to consult your doctor, physical therapist, or other medical professional before starting a recovery routine that involves a massage gun.

Generally, you should only use massage guns for a few minutes at a time on muscle groups — not on bones — and never to the point of pain. If you’re uncertain about using a massage gun, we suggest seeking advice from a medical professional. The pressure indicators of massage guns, like the Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro, which we named our best massage gun, and the Bob and Brad C2 Pro Massage Gun with Heat and Cold Therapy, can help you control the amount of pressure you’re applying to your muscles.

Is it okay to use a massage gun every day?

As with other recovery tools, using a massage gun daily is appropriate as long as it is not painful and you use it as directed by the manufacturer and your medical professional. A massage gun can help release tension and promote relaxation if your muscles are fatigued or slightly sore.

However, if you are experiencing very tight or sore muscles or tendons, an injury, or intense physical discomfort, it’s better to let your body begin the healing process on its own before using a massage gun. If you’re uncertain, we recommend consulting a medical professional. Getting a massage gun with a pressure indicator, such as the Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro, can also help protect your muscles.

What is the best recovery after running?

The best recovery immediately after running — especially a hard workout or a race — is to jog slowly or walk. Hydrating and fueling adequately before, during, and after your run will also help you recover faster. Stretching, foam rolling, and using other tools like the Roll Recovery R1 Percussion while your muscles are still warm are also excellent ways to help boost post-run recovery. Finally, getting adequate and high-quality sleep throughout your training block will support recovery as you increase running volume and intensity.

For more recovery tips, check out our article, A Million Modalities: The Science of Exercise Recovery. There are also many other types of recovery tools that you can explore in our best recovery tools for athletes guide.

How can I improve my recovery from running?

Running recovery includes everything from doing a post-workout cooldown to keeping your easy runs easy to foam rolling and stretching, getting a massage or using massage tools like the Brazyn Performance Talon Massager, and managing nutrition, sleep, and life stress.

Prioritizing recovery as much as your workouts or strength-training sessions is an important first step. Build in time for your recovery and develop a routine, and you’ll soon make it a regular habit. To learn more about recovery and the tools available, look at our guide to the best recovery tools for athletes.

There are so many recovery tools! How do I decide which workout recovery tool I need?

We recommend keeping it simple, whether you’re just starting your recovery routine or focusing on taking it up a notch. Start with the small steps that make a big difference, like getting regular, high-quality sleep, managing daily stress, and ensuring your nutrition is sufficient and well-balanced.

Next, make sure you’re building time into your schedule for recovery. There’s no point in purchasing a bunch of tools if they’re just going to sit there because you don’t have time to use them. Start by making a regular habit of stretching and relaxing for 10 to 15 minutes after each run. Then consider tools that will improve your recovery routine, whether that’s a foam roller, foot massager, massage stick, massage gun, compression boots, or something else.

The Roll Recovery R1 Percussion is a reasonably priced massage gun with which to get started. If you need other ideas, check out our best recovery tools for athletes guide.

Related Articles

• Best Recovery Tools for Athletes
• Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro Review
• A Million Modalities: The Science of Exercise Recovery

Call for Comments

• Do you use a massage gun? What’s your favorite?
• What is your running recovery routine?

Back to Our Top Massage Guns Picks