The Best hypervolt Massagers to Relieve Muscle Soreness
Percussion massagers are among the easiest ways to recover your legs after a hard run. The handheld devices are effectively jigsaws, using a reciprocating tip to strike your muscle tissue about 2,000 to 3,000 times per minute, which facilitates blood flow to the targeted area. More blood flow tends to reduce inflammation and soreness, expediting your recovery and making you ready to hit the pavement the next day. And yes, you can just buy a massaging tip for your jigsaw, although it won’t have purpose-built features like a big battery, rotating heads, and customizable settings. Get some quick facts below on five of our favorites, and keep reading to find out how six leading devices performed in our test—plus buying advice.
How Percussion Massagers Work
When you get done with a long or difficult run, excess metabolic waste pools in your leg muscles, causing inflammation and soreness. Percussion massagers use rapid strikes to circulate that waste product into your circulatory system. “If a runner is pressed for time, these devices can potentially help ward off muscle soreness while also improving muscle function,” says Dr. Rachel Tavel, P.T., D.P.T., C.S.C.S. Small studies indicate that vibration therapy, a form of percussive therapy, is effective at reducing DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness), although research on massage guns is scant.
How to Use Your Massager
Dr. Tavel has three tips to get the most out of your massage gun: First, hold the device at a 45-degree angle, with the application head in contact with the target muscle. Use it prerun to stimulate muscle activation and potentially improve power, and postrun to improve recovery and reduce DOMS. And for muscle activation, spend just 30 seconds on the target muscle prior to your workout. For muscle re-activation (relieving muscle spasms or fatigue midworkout), you can apply it for just 15 seconds. For pain relief and recovery, she recommends two minutes on each muscle.
Hyperice Hypervolt Cordless Vibration Massager
- Lightweight, ergonomic, easy-to-use massager is ideal for self-applied myofascial release
- Powerful, high-torque motor features Quiet Glide™ technology
- 3 speed settings deliver up to 3,200 percussions per minute
- Rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 3 hrs. of use on a full charge
- 4 interchangeable head attachments
Hypervolt by Hyperice, Featuring Quiet Glide Technology – Handheld Percussion Massage Gun | 3 Speeds, 5 Interchangeable Attachment Heads | (Not Bluetooth Enabled)
- Cordless state-of-the-art percussion massage device that helps relax sore and stiff muscles to improve mobility
- QUIET GLIDE TECHNOLOGY- whisper quiet percussion device
- 3 SPEED SETTINGS deliver up to 3200 percussions per minute
- UP TO 3 HOURS OF USE PER CHARGE- Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
- As featured in GQ, CNET, Runner’s World, Self, Men’s Health as the top tech in health and wellness
Theragun PRO – All-New 4th Generation Percussive Therapy Deep Tissue Muscle Treatment Massage Gun
- POWERFULLY QUIET – Proprietary brushless QX150 motor with QuietForce Technology delivers powerful, professional-grade deep muscle treatment as quiet as average massage devices
- 300 min. CONTINUOUS BATTERY LIFE – Includes 2 rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (150 min. each). Charge one while the other is in use and continuously swap for all-day run time.
- CUSTOMIZABLE SPEED RANGE & OLED SCREEN – Monitor current speed and force on OLED screen, access any speed between 1750-2400 PPMs via Therabody app
- ROTATING ARM & ERGONOMIC MULTI-GRIP – allows you to hold the device in a number of ways while reducing strain on your hands and arms.
- SMART APP INTEGRATION – Connects to app via Bluetooth to run personalized wellness routines based on your behaviors & preferences
Theragun Mini – All-New 4th Generation Portable Muscle Treatment Massage Gun
- QUIET FOR ANY SETTING – Proprietary brushless QX35 motor with QuietForce Technology allows powerful yet ultra-quiet muscle treatment anytime, anywhere
- ULTRA-PORTABLE – never-before-seen balance between power and size, making it a convenient option for getting Theragun quality relief on the go. INCLUDES SOFT CASE.
- 150-MIN. BATTERY LIFE – With up to 150 min. of sustained run time, mini sets the standard for true portability and is there for you right when you need it
- ERGONOMIC GRIP – smooth, ergonomic grip is easy to hold while reducing strain on your hands and wrists
- 3 SCIENTIFICALLY CALIBRATED SPEEDS – 1750, 2100, and 2400 percussions per minute, each scientifically calibrated to deliver greater therapeutic benefits for the body.
Theragun Elite – All-New 4th Generation Percussive Therapy Deep Tissue Muscle Treatment Massage Gun…
- QX65 MOTOR WITH QUIETFORCE TECHNOLOGY – proprietary brushless motor & advanced sound insulation delivers powerful deep muscle treatment quieter than the average massage device
- 120-MIN. BATTERY LIFE – internal Lithium-ion battery offers double the battery life of previous generations for up to 2 hours of continuous use
- CUSTOMIZABLE SPEED RANGE & OLED SCREEN – monitor current speed and force on OLED screen, access any speed between 1750-2400 PPMs via Therabody app
- ERGONOMIC MULTI-GRIP – provides a number of ways to comfortably hold the device without strain on hands and arms
- SMART APP INTEGRATION – connects to app via Bluetooth to run personalized wellness routines based on your behaviors & preferences
Theragun Elite – All-New 4th Generation Percussive Therapy Deep Tissue Muscle Treatment Massage Gun…
- QX65 MOTOR WITH QUIETFORCE TECHNOLOGY – proprietary brushless motor & advanced sound insulation delivers powerful deep muscle treatment quieter than the average massage device
- 120-MIN. BATTERY LIFE – internal Lithium-ion battery offers double the battery life of previous generations for up to 2 hours of continuous use
- CUSTOMIZABLE SPEED RANGE & OLED SCREEN – monitor current speed and force on OLED screen, access any speed between 1750-2400 PPMs via Therabody app
- ERGONOMIC MULTI-GRIP – provides a number of ways to comfortably hold the device without strain on hands and arms
- SMART APP INTEGRATION – connects to app via Bluetooth to run personalized wellness routines based on your behaviors & preferences
