As a professional swimmer or someone looking after high-performance athletes, you already know about the importance of recovery. Recovering fast and efficiently is just as important for long-term performance improvement as training. In fact, the best way to approach the two is to think of two parts of a medal.
Massage guns have been recognised as one of the most efficient recovery tools for professional swimmers. Here is a look at some of the best options out there.
Theragun Elite for Swimmers
The Theragun Elite promises to melt away tension thanks to five different built-in speeds and a force meter function. That means users can see how fast they are going and how deep or powerful the massage will be.
But what really lifts this option above its competition is the Bluetooth connection to the Theragun app. Aside from monitoring treatments, the app provides guidance to further increase the efficiency and appropriateness of your treatments. Users can adjust speeds to reflect the sensitivity of certain areas of the body, and you can save up to three custom treatments, too.
Interchangeable attachments allow you to customize treatments even further. In short – and as the name suggests, the Theragun Elite is one of the leading massage guns on the market.
Theragun Prime for Swimmers
Think of the Prime model as a stripped-down and simplified massage tool for swimmers providing core features that still allow you to customize your recovery massage and make it highly efficient.
Like the Elite, the Prime offers five speeds, and users can control the strength of the massage to accommodate more sensitive areas. Despite its power, the device tends to be quieter than an electronic toothbrush. Plus, you can take advantage of guided treatments through the Theragun app.
Theragun Mini for Swimmers
Simply put, the Theragun Mini provides relief when you need it and where you need it. It’s small enough to keep in your gym bag. This pocket-size massage tool is more portable than others in the Theragun range but still comes with three different speeds and powerful percussions.
This is an agile massage device that comes complete with the ergonomic grip design you know from Theragun. Thanks to its smaller size, its batteries last slightly longer than those of the larger models – 150 minutes as opposed to 120 minutes.
Muscle Gun Carbon for Swimmers
This massage gun is a great midrange massage gun that comes with many of the benefits of the Theragun Elite, for example.
It actually beats the Elite for choice of speeds, offering both a faster and a slower option. Saying that, the Theragun excels at delivering deep tissue massages that help relieve even the most resistant muscle tension.
If that’s not generally what you need, this gun offers excellent value for money, and you’ll struggle to beat its battery life. With five hours of uninterrupted massages, this is an option for a whole team.
Renpho R3 GM171 for Swimmers
Are you looking for a truly budget-friendly massage gun? Look no further than the Renpho R3 GM171.
This gun offers thorough massages but can’t penetrate as deep as some of its competitors. However, it makes up for that with a big range of speed options and foam attachments that help reach all corners of the body and deliver relief exactly where it’s needed.
Six hours of battery life make this a great choice for multiple users or consecutive training days. What’s more, the Renpho gun runs quieter than the Theragun Elite. That’s important if you’re sensitive to noise during your recovery or need to use your massage gun in a busy place.
HoMedics ProPhysio Massage Gun for Swimmers
This massage gun combines the benefits of heat and pressure to deliver more effective recovery sessions. It sits at the top of the price range for comparable models, but features like the interchangeable heat head and a cold head option make it an excellent choice.
The heat head heats to 47°C in under two minutes, helping ease muscle tension more quickly than a massage gun at a normal temperature can. The cold head can simply be stored in the freezer, ready to use. These two options alone will justify the expense for many professional swimmers. Plus, there is also a massage head that tackles cellulite, which affects athletes and non-athletes alike.
How are you recovering from your toughest training sessions? If you’re looking for other gadgets for professional swimmers or more inspiration, check out our guides for present ideas and coveted swimming gadgets.