Perfect for overall use on large and small muscle groups. This one is usually the go-to attachment for general use. It’s a very versatile tool. However, there’s a few extra things to remember when using a massage gun for the first time.Most importantly, to avoid injury, don't use a massage gun on a bony area or a joint, or on an injury like a sprain or broken skin. Our expert said it was a cinch to use, with one responsive control button that was easy to reach mid-massage for cycling through the speeds. The lights help show which setting you’re on and will signal when it’s almost out of juice, ensuring you never have to skip a post-workout pummel.

Each massage gun was trialled for a three-week period, used to prime and relieve our experts' muscles around their fitness-filled schedule of weightlifting, HIIT, running, yoga and more.

Massage head with heat and cold

Massage guns and other muscle recovery tools, far from being just for athletes, are really an amazingly beneficial addition to anyone’s routine. For example, if you work at an office and spend too many hours sitting, or, on the contrary, have had a long day with barely any chance to sit down, your soft tissues (along with your mental state) may have a lot to gain from some well-deserved attention. After all, they don’t call them soft tissues for nothing! The Shavron Vibration Massage Gun is approximately the same price as the Hydragun, above, and is another excellent mid-range percussive massager. It's not as quiet, but it's lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for long sessions. A timer will cut the motor after 10 minutes to help ensure you don't keep going for longer than is recommended. This particular massage gun attachment is perfect for shoulder blades and IT bands, as well as being great for full body massage and relaxation. It’s been precisely engineered for smaller surface areas and is very effective for denser muscle groups as well. Make sure to avoid running the machine over bones and joints, and if it hurts decrease the pressure. He recommends moving slowly across the muscle, around 1-2 inches per second. How We Test Massage Guns As for cheaper massage guns, these tend to have harder attachment heads (which make for a slightly less comfortable experience), a shorter battery life, or are less durable. If there's a choice between a cheap muscle gun and a more expensive massage gun that's on sale, we'd always suggest going with the one that looks like it will last the longest and is the most specced out. If it comes with a warranty, even better. Do massage guns work?

You get three different attachments (the first gen only offers one) – a standard ball, a dampener for bony areas and a thumb to target trigger points – for a more personalised massaging experience and it connects to the Therabody App via Bluetooth so you can access an extensive library of wellness routines. Now that you know how to use all the massage gun heads, you’re ready to go! Don’t forget to experiment and find out what feels best and works best for you. The PRO also boasts an EQ-150 brushless motor which promises to be 20% quieter (sure enough, it earned top marks in our in-house testing) and a handsome, velvet-lined case which neatly fits the device, charger and six heads. They’re designed to combat muscle soreness and aid recovery. It’s a deep tissue massage of sorts, achieved through rapid percussive movements that stimulate muscles, enhance blood flow and soften knots. You can use them while warming up or post-work out, and they feel good too, hitting all the right pressure points that can enhance the production of endorphins. At the very least, massage guns can provide some short-term relief for problem areas.

The compact device comes with a sleek little travel case, with enough room to fit all the accessories, so you can easily take it to the gym or shove it in your suitcase if you’re jetting off on holiday.