Working out at home can pose new, unexpected challenges. An example is when DOMS kicks in after an intense exercise. Your muscles feel tense and painful since it's trying to repair itself. With DOMS, you may feel too sore to do anything else.

Depending on where we live, we still can't go to a gym or massage spa for pain relief. Setting up a massage appointment also costs a lot when you have to go multiple times. With the pandemic encouraging everyone to stay at home, it's best to find alternative ways to recover without hassle.

For these reasons, I tried a massage gun for the first time. I wanted to see what the hype is all about. These innovative tools became a big trend online, as introduced by experts and celebrities.

It turns out, the experts were right. Getting a massage gun is a game-changer.

Not only is it worth the investment, but it also matches my current stay-at-home lifestyle. I don't have to go out for a massage appointment anymore. Instead, I can get a full, relaxing experience at home.

If you want to relieve your pain from at-home workouts, why not get yourself a massage gun? Here’s a breakdown of how massage guns work and why you should consider it, based on my first-hand experience.

How do massage guns work?

Massage guns provide portable percussive therapy. Instead of a massage therapist kneading your muscles, this percussive device can do it for you. It's safe and easy to use, as shown in a 2013 observational study.

The gentle, rapid "punches" of a massage gun can reach deep into the muscle tissue. As a result, it relieves soreness and tension. The vibrations also stimulate oxygenated blood to circulate faster, which speeds up your recovery. Overall, massage guns are efficient for healing and relaxation.

Why do you need a massage gun?

Getting a massage gun is an investment for your health. Whenever you use it, it’s supposed to improve your quality of life. Here are the top 3 reasons why you need one.

Massage guns are more convenient than other self-myofascial release tools

Relieving muscle pain has always been an issue for athletes and non-athletes alike. That's why, there are a lot of self-myofascial release tools in the market. A common example is a foam roller.

Foam rollers are no doubt effective self-myofascial release tools. However, foam rollers can be cumbersome to use. You need to lie down on the floor and position yourself to make sure you’re targeting the correct muscle area. In my experience, it's a hassle.

In contrast, massage guns are easier to use. They're also less bulky to carry around anywhere. To use a massage gun, you press the power button. Afterward, you can set it to your preferred speed and apply gentle pressure to your muscles.

There's no need to lie down on the floor or figure out how to use it properly. A massage gun can do all the work for you with a click of the power button.

Massage guns are practical

A massage gun might seem pricey at first, but it's practical in the long run. Why is that so?

It's because you can save money from booking multiple massage appointments. Every time you feel muscle pain, you don't have to go out anymore. Instead, you can relax and recover at home with this portable device.

Aside from being cost efficient, it can save you time. With only a few minutes of using a massage gun, you'll feel less muscle soreness. This reduced pain level will sustain even after 48 hours, as stated in a 2014 study.

Massage guns are perfect for people on the go

If you're always busy, then massage guns are perfect for you. You can use it anytime. This device also comes with a travel case, so you can carry it anywhere you go.

Another point to consider is that massage guns have long battery lives. You can get several days' worth of massage sessions, which is helpful when you're always on-the-go.

Let me give you a real-life example. Hydragun, the massage gun I tried, has a battery life of 6 hours. Since I shouldn't use it for too long, every massage session lasted for only 15 minutes.

In total, this massage gun can go for 24 massage sessions! All from a single charge.

How to determine if a massage gun is right for you?

A massage gun might be a daunting purchase for first-timers. After all, you're going to spend hundreds of dollars on it. Before you buy one, do some research first.

To ensure you're getting an effective massage gun, consider the following points.

What do you need?

The answer boils down to your fitness needs. Check the massage gun's features and see if it fits you. Some people prefer intense pressure pushing deep into the muscles. Meanwhile, others want a gentle massage.

If you work out at home from time to time, you'll need a flexible massage gun. It should adapt to you. For example, look for massage guns with a wide range of speed settings for every purpose.

What do other people say?

As many people say, "the customer is always right." Take your time to check the product reviews. During my shopping spree, I always searched through customers' reviews and ratings.

Why? Because it’s an excellent method for setting your expectations.

For the most part, this tip’s helpful for first-timers. Buying a massage gun doesn’t have to be daunting, where you don’t know what you’re getting into. By checking on reviews, you can gauge what kind of experience you’ll have.

Lastly, evaluate the pros and cons of getting one. For example, are you tired of using foam rollers? How about something more practical? Changing up your fitness tools might be what you need to relax and recover at home.

With massage guns, experts and reviews can vouch for your comfort. If the majority says yes, then why not try it for yourself? Get the best massage gun you can find, and share your experience below in the comments.

Image Credit: Hydragun