All about muscle recovery with Theragun

It's the new trendy sports accessory, and chances are you've already heard of it. The Theragun is a massage gun used daily by many physiotherapists and professional or amateur athletes. But do you really know what it is used for? It offers physical activity practitioners the possibility of self-massage to reduce pain and muscle tension. In this article, I will explain how this device of percussion massage and gives you my opinion as a sports coach on the Theragun after several years of use.

What is Theragun?

Originally intended for health professionals (physical therapists, physiotherapists, etc.), the Theragun is a massage gun to prepare and warm up the body before a workout and to soothe muscle pain after an effort.

This device promotes the sport well-being is now used by many top athletes and by thousands of physical activity enthusiasts who want tooptimize their performance. Theragun is based on several years of research and innovation to offer a percussion therapy that allows for the in-depth treatment of muscular tissues.

This high-tech tool generates vibrations on the muscles in order to relax them efficiently. Thanks to the Theragun, athletes can self-massage different parts of the body to recover faster after a weight training sessionrunning training or circuit training.

The technology developed by Therabody, the company behind Theragun, increases the volume of blood flow and oxygen to the muscle to aid recovery, while preventing the brain from becoming accustomed to the stimulation.

The advantages of this massage gun

The Theragun increases the benefits of traditional massage tenfold. The simple fact of using this massager on a sensitive muscle during 1 to 2 minutes makes it possible to make disappear 95 % of the pains and other muscle soreness. After an intense sports session, it is therefore a perfect complement to stretching, relaxation or stretching.

With its 2,400 percussive strokes per minute, the Theragun helps to relieve joint pains and muscular and participates in a faster recovery. It also helps to promote mobility of the whole body and the flexibility of the joints. It increases the performance of muscles such as biceps, pectorals, quadriceps, hamstrings or calves.

The Theragun is therefore an innovative tool that is much more effective than a bullet or a massage roller. You'll get better results in less time. It is also an excellent tool to use in injury prevention. It can be useful during your warm-ups to prepare the muscles for the effort.

This device shines with its ease of use and by its ergonomics. It is therefore accessible to all sportsmen and women and can treat areas of the body that are difficult to reach. The latest models offered by the brand are extremely quiet and have several speed levels to meet your needs.

The Theragun is undoubtedly the best massage gun of the market. Of course, it represents an investment and may not be affordable for everyone. The Mini costs 199 euros, the Prime 299 euros, the Elite 399 euros and the Pro 599 euros. However, keep in mind that this is a high-tech product that will pay for itself in the sense that it will accompany you throughout your sporting life.

When is the best time to use this massage device?

The Theragun is an accessory that can be used before and after your workouts.

Before the effort, it can allow you to carry out a complete body warm-up to activate your muscles. Just use it for about 30 seconds on each muscle group to prepare your body and optimize your performance.

After the exercise, you can massage yourself to relax and relieve the various tensions that occur after a major effort. At the end of a strength sessionDuring a CrossFit workout or a group cardio-training class at the gym, the Theragun will be an important ally in relieving your aches and pains.

Outside of the sessions, the device can also be used on a daily basis to promote relaxation and prevent tendonitis. For example, if you suffer from back painA daily application of a few minutes will quickly relieve you.

What are the different massage heads for?

Regardless of the model chosen (Pro, Elite, Prime or Mini), Theragun devices can accommodate several massage heads. Each tip is designed to relieve certain areas of the body. You will be able to apply this percussion therapy to certain well-targeted muscles that may be subject to tension or soreness.

To date, Therabody offers 7 therapy tips different, each one answering a very precise need:

• the Standard Ball With its medium impact level, this standard tip is suitable for all treatments and can be used on the whole body, from small to large muscle groups,
• the Dampener It combines a low impact level with a large treatment surface and is therefore suitable for soft areas or parts of the body close to the bones,
• the Supersoft As its name suggests, this massage head is extremely soft and is therefore perfect for soothing particularly sensitive areas (elbows, knees, etc.),
• the Cone It is suitable for small muscle groups, such as those in the hands or feet, because it treats pain in depth,
• the Wedge This tip is ideal for the hooking technique and helps to evacuate lactic acids in the muscles. It is especially designed for use on the shoulders and the iliotibial band (ITB),
• the Large Ball This massage head is perfect for relieving tendons and large muscle groups such as the buttocks or quadriceps,
• the Thumb This tip takes the shape of a human thumb and helps to soothe lower back pain.

Each massage head is designed to meet a specific need. You can therefore personalize your moments of relaxation by using the head that is best suited to the pain you feel.

Of course, all available massage heads are designed with waterproof foam that respects your body. It is very easy to clean the tips, which is convenient in terms of hygiene if your Theragun is used by different people in your family.

My opinion on the Theragun after several years of use

As a professional sports coach and IFBB PRO athlete, I was naturally interested in the practice ofself-massage several years ago. I acquired a Theragun in 2016 to optimize my muscle recovery and to prepare for my bodybuilding competitions.

Personally, I use this massage gun mainly after my thigh and back strengthening sessions to relieve tensions that may have appeared during training. When I get home from the gym, about an hour after the workout, I treat the painful areas in order to prepare for the next session.

The relief is immediate and the results are noticeable in the long term. Even after a heavy workout, using the Theragun improves my blood circulation and reduces my aches and pains considerably. It's a device that I would have a hard time doing without today.

Conclusion

The Theragun is a wonderful tool for everyday use. It will meet the needs of sport needs who want to optimize their performance and reach their full potential. Whether you practice bodybuilding, football, rugby, handball, athletics or any other sports activity, I can only advise you to use a massage gun as a warm-up or to recover more quickly.