Athletes should consider incorporating a handheld massager into their pre-workout and post-workout routines to improve mobility and flexibility. Handheld massagers can help soothe achy joints and muscle soreness. They often come with different massage head attachments to target various body parts and muscle groups.
There are many handheld massagers out there so finding the best one is a bit challenging. For your convenience, we’ll recommend some of the best handheld massagers for athletes and provide a guide that can help you in making a good purchase decision.
Quick Answer:
1. LetsFunny Muscle Massage Gun
LetsFunny is the best percussion massager gun out there as it offers a very powerful percussion vibration of 1,200 to 3,600 strokes per minute. Choose from five different speeds based on your muscle group. You can also interchange the massage heads to relax different parts of the body.
2. LifePro Sonic Handheld Percussion Massage Gun
The LifePro Sonic has the longest-lasting battery life out there with an estimated run time of up to six hours. It offers five levels of intensity plus five replaceable massage heads to best suit your needs. It’s very easy to change speeds and works very quietly.
The opove G3 is perhaps one of the most lightweight massage guns out there with its almost 2.2 pound weight. It offers three adjustable speed settings to leave your sore muscles and joints feeling relaxed. This package also includes a carrying case to make it easy for you to bring it anywhere.
Editor’s Pick: Best Handheld Massager for Athletes
Handheld Massager Buying Guide
Finding the best handheld massager for athletes might be an arduous task considering all the many features that you have to consider. In this section, we will teach you how to choose the best handheld massager to suit your specific needs.
Percussion vs Vibration Massager
If you think that percussion and vibration massagers are the same, you’re wrong.
Percussion massage guns are vibration massagers on steroids, meaning they work deeper in your muscles. These handheld devices provide rapid movements over particular body areas for a relatively short time. They’re very effective for athletes because they improve muscle strength and enhance overall muscle ability.
Vibration massagers technically use vibrations to soothe or stimulate your body. They help in relaxing your muscles when used on your lower back and abdomen. While the intensity levels of percussion massagers can go from low to medium, the intensity level of vibration massagers only stays low.
What to Look For
Portability
The best massager for athletes should be portable enough to be brought to the gym or sports club. The most portable units often come with a travel case where you can store all your attachments. These units are rechargeable so you can use them without the cord.
Adjustable Speed Levels
A handheld massager with more speed levels means more versatility. Changing the speed allows you to apply the right pressure to your sore muscles and achy joints. Some of the best handheld massagers offer 5-20 speed levels.
Attachment Massage Heads
The number of replaceable massage heads can also determine the versatility of the unit. The more attachment massage heads, the better. You can use the different massage heads to target various parts of your body and muscle groups.
The usual attachments are fork, bullet, flat, and round shapes. The forkhead is mainly used to massage the spine, neck, and shoulder. The round head is good for large muscle groups, like glutes and quads. The bullet head is perfect for joints while the flat head is ideal for all parts of the body.
5 Handheld Massager For Athletes Review
1. LetsFunny Muscle Massage Gun
LetsFunny Muscle Massage Gun is a percussion full body massager that offers five replaceable massager heads to relax different body parts: (1) flat massage head for all body parts; (2) bullet head for the joints; (3) two round heads for large muscle groups; and (4) forkhead for neck and spine.
Depending on your muscle group and preference, you can choose five different speed settings from 1,200 to 3,600 strokes per minute. This massage gun is equipped with a 2,600mAH rechargeable lithium-ion battery to keep it working up to four hours. It’s powered by a 26V brushless DC motor to bring high power with less noise.
The LetsFunny massage gun is made of aluminum metal alloy, which is both durable and lightweight. It’s designed with a soft silicone grip to keep this device slipping from your hands. With its 1-year warranty and 30-day money-back guarantee, you can purchase this massage gun worry-free.
PROS:
- Powerful and noiseless motor
- 1-year warranty and 30-day money-back guarantee
- Offers five adjustable speed levels
- Targets all tight muscle areas
- Durable, compact, and portable
CONS:
- A bit heavy to hold
Best For:
The LetsFunny massage gun is best for athletes who want a deep tissue muscle massager to work on all body parts and various muscles. It includes five interchangeable massager heads and five adjustable speed levels to suit your preference.
2. LifePro Sonic Handheld Percussion Massage Gun
The LifePro Sonic is a great percussion massage gun with its super quiet brushless motor that offers up to 2,800 strokes per minute. It features five adjustable vibration levels to best match your needs. Plus, it provides five interchangeable heads to target different body parts and muscle groups: the round head for muscle recovery, two bullet heads for joints, spinal head for the back, and flathead for deep muscle massage.
The ergonomic handgrip and the front LED panel makes this massage gun very easy to use. The battery may last up to six hours, which is very good if you don’t want to charge frequently. With its heavy-duty construction and 100% money-back lifetime warranty, you can be ensured that the Sonic will last you for a long time.
PROS:
- Long-lasting battery
- 100% money-back lifetime warranty
- Very easy to use
- Powerful brushless motor
- Includes five interchangeable massage heads
CONS:
- Fairly loud, specifically from 2-5 setting
Best For:
The LifePro Sonic is best for athletes who want a long-lasting massage gun on the run. The battery runs for as much as six hours.
3. Opove G3 Pro Massage Gun
The G3 massage gun is powered by the Unique Quiet Glide technology and a super quiet brushless high-torque motor to give you a comfortable massage up to 3,200 revolutions per minute It offers three speed strength levels to give the proper amount of pressure to soothe your muscle pain. Thanks to its anti-drop shell with Breakthrough Technology, it remains intact even if you drop it from heigh of 2 meters.
This massage gun comes with four massage heads: ball shape for large muscle groups, point head for deep tissue massage, flat head for muscle relaxation, and folk head for the spine. The operation of this massage gun can last as long as three hours per charge. With its carrying case, you can take this massage gun anywhere you go.
PROS:
- Lightweight and portable
- Fairly quiet brushless motor
- Durable construction
- Comes with four massage heads
- Adjustable intensity in three levels
CONS:
- Battery life is comparatively short
Best For:
The G3 massage gun is great for athletes who want a lightweight massage device for their daily workout routine. It’s 2.2 pound heavy and comes with a portable carrying case.
4. LifePro Sonic X Personal Percussion Massage Gun
More powerful than the original Sonic massage gun, the Sonic X personal percussion massage gun boasts a maximum power of up to 3,200 revolutions per minute. You can choose from five levels of intensity to rejuvenate your sore muscles and achy joints. This product offers an unrivaled lifetime warranty to give you all the support you need.
The Sonic X is backed by a rechargeable battery that offers a maximum operation of six hours. It includes a carrying case for storage and four replaceable massage heads; the round head for muscle soreness, the spinal head for the back, the bullet head for achy joints, and the flat head for deep tissue massage.
PROS:
- Long battery life
- Five levels of steady vibrations
- Includes a portable carrying case
- Comes with four massage heads
- Unparalleled lifetime warranty
CONS:
- The handle is a bit thick to handle
Best For:
Sonic X is good for athletes who want a rapid tension relief massager. It’s equipped with a long-lasting battery and a powerful motor that can provide up to 3,200 revolutions per minute.
5. Flow.Month Performance Massage Gun
The Flow.Month massage gun offers 20 speeds to suit your various needs for muscle recovery. Levels 1-6 are perfect for daily muscle tension relief while levels 7-12 are ideal for regular soothing and muscle fascia. Levels 13-18 are ideal for deep tissue repairing while levels 19-20 are great for enhancing muscle durability.
This massage gun is equipped with a 2,500mAh high-quality lithium battery to keep it working for up to five hours. It’s powered by a 24-V brushless motory with WhisperGlide technology to give you both a powerful and quiet operation. The package includes four replaceable massage heads and a portable travel case.
PROS:
- Offers 20 speed settings
- Long operation time
- Quiet and powerful motor
- Feels durable and lightweight
- Easy to use with the LCD touchscreen
CONS:
- Removing and changing the heads is difficult
Best For:
The Flow.Month massage gun is perfect for athletes who want a high-performance massage gun for muscle recovery. It offers a remarkable 20 speed-settings to your different needs.
FAQs:
Q: How does a percussion massager work?
A percussion massager jolts target body areas and muscle groups with light pulses of pressure. This action helps soothe stiff and tensed muscles. The rapid pulsing of muscle fibers will help relieve pain and enhance blood circulation.
Q: Why should athletes use a handheld percussion massager?
Athletes should own a handheld percussion massager because these devices are known to alleviate muscle soreness and achy joints. These devices also help improve flexibility and restore strength quickly. Since they’re portable, you can bring them anywhere with you in the gym or sports club.
Q: Is it bad to get massages daily?
Not at all. If you have the means to do so, it would be very advantageous to your health. It helps to give balance to a specific muscle group. It helps tone the muscles in that area, as well as, alleviate tightness and minimize physical stress on the joints.
Q: Is it safe to use a percussion massager for athletes with injuries?
Since the intensity of a percussion massager might be high, it could aggravate certain conditions. Some of the conditions where percussion therapy shouldn’t be administered are cardiovascular diseases, lumbar injuries, and diabetes. To be safe, consult your doctor if you suffer from a health condition before using this device.
Conclusion
The best handheld massager for athletes is the LetsFunny Massage Gun because it offers the best features, like five-speed levels and an ergonomic design. It offers five replaceable massager heads to target different parts of the body. It also comes with a 1-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee for a risk-free purchase.
If you want long-lasting battery life, a good alternative is the LifePro Sonic because it can operate for up to six hours. The Sonic features five-speed settings and includes five interchangeable massage heads to target different muscle groups and body parts. Best of all, it offers an enticing 100% money-back lifetime guarantee.
Allen Wei is someone who believes in living his best life, focusing on balance, happiness, and relaxation. He fosters a positive lifestyle in terms of his body, mind, and environment, and he is a huge proponent of learning to be balanced via relaxation techniques integrated into our busy lives.
