Know a gym bunny? Here’s 6 massage gun holiday gifts they’ll love

Give the gift of pain-free gymming with 6 massage gun holiday gifts

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You know what’s frustrating? Working out and finding yourself held back not by fatigue or ability, but by residual muscle pain and soreness. Thebest massage gunscan help, using percussive massage to ease soreness and improve your range of motion.

Stretching helps, yes, but there’s a reason professional athletes get sports massages, and it’s not just because they feel nice: massage guns’ percussive effect increases blood flow, reduces your perception of pain, and is also just straight-up relaxing. Weave it into your routine and a post-workout massage gun session can start to take on a meditative quality.

A massage gun makes a good alternative to a professional masseuse. and thanks to the rapid rise in popularity of these sports gadgets, competition in the market has brought prices down dramatically over the last couple of years.

You no longer need to spend a fortune to get a reliable massage gun, which is, after all, not that different inside to some DIY power tools. We’re also going to suggest some companion gifts that sit alongside a massage gun like a weight lifter and their spotter. Let’s get started

If you’re looking for more of the best present suggestions ahead of the big day, look at our guides to the bestChristmas salesin the US andBoxing Day salesin the UK. These guides are packed with more great holiday andChristmas gift ideas.

Best massage guns gifts

Best mini massage gun

Pocket rocket

We love the Bob and Brad Q2 Mini Massage Gun for its portability and ease of use. We’d never seriously consider taking a full-size Theragun to the gym, but this? Sure. It’s less than six inches long. The Q2 Mini has five settings, five massager heads, and a peak speed setting of 3000rpm, high for a lower-cost mini model. It head travel and torque won’t cut it for body builders looking to go to town, but for the rest of us? It’s great.

If you want another small alternative, take a look at thePower Plate Mini+.

Best mid-range massage gun

Recovery champion

Renpho makes lots of health and wellness gadgets. It was only a matter of time before we got a massager like the R3. It’s a mid-size gun that includes a carry case, and the battery lasts up to an impressive six hours at the lower intensity settings. There are five of these settings, and we find it perfect for a workout cooldown. The motor is liable to stall more easily than a top-tier model if you press into your muscles hard, but the 10mm amplitude is decent.

For a similar mid-range massage gun, try theShavron Vibration Massage Guninstead.

Best premium massage gun

Silent but deadly

We like the Hydragun as a more affordable alternative to big names like the Theragun Pro. It has an aluminum shell, giving you confidence it can take some rough treatment, and both a longer-throw action and better torque than our lower-cost picks. Our favorite part: it’s not noisy at all in use. More massager, less power tool. Unusually, it also includes a trio of metal-capped heads as well as the more familiar styles.

TheHomedics Pro Physiois a pricey but robust alternative, with optional heating attachment.

Best massage ball

A rocking roller

It looks like a robot ball toy, but this is a clever little massager ball from Therabody. It’s 8.6mm in diameter, letting you work it into localized tough and tight spots around your body. You can control the Wave Solo using the phone app too, controlling its three intensity levels without getting hands-on. The app also shows how to integrate it into all kinds of stretching routines.

If you want a similar lacrosse-ball replacement, consider theSHRINK vibrating massage ball.

Best foam roller

Thigh master

You can use any foam roller for effective self-myofascial release, which refers to the massage of your muscles and the associated connective tissue. The Hyperice Vyper 3.0 turbo-charges that process with a powerful 34W vibration motor. We like using one of these rollers for the large muscle groups, and a massage gun for more localized relief. Heck, you could use both at the same time if you have the dexterity for it. They’re not cheap though, especially compared to a standard foam roller.

For a much cheaper alternative, check out the non-vibratingTriggerpoint grid foam roller.

Best yoga mat

Not just for Yoga

Most workout routines probably shouldn’t rely on a massage gun as a complete replacement for stretching. The two disciplines work together as a way to avoid injury. In most homes, a yoga mat is the perfect canvas on which you get your stretch. This one is a 4.2.mm thick natural rubber and polyurethane mix, for great grip while avoiding sweat getting into the material to make it grimy and gross within weeks.

Want a cheaper eco-friendly option? Try thisNavaris cork yoga mat.

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Andrew is a freelance journalist and has been writing and editing for some of the UK’s top tech and lifestyle publications including TrustedReviews, Stuff, T3, TechRadar, Lifehacker and others.

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