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Massage guns are now relatively widespread in ambitious endurance sports - but what are these comparatively expensive devices really good for? It is undisputed that massages are useful for regeneration. Small, pistol-like devices are designed to make this possible for self-treatment at any time.
The scientific studies on this are still thin on the ground, but the concept seems conclusive: Just as electrostimulation works the muscle with current pulses, the shock waves from the massage gun are said to trigger a kneading effect. No special prior knowledge is required, but you should avoid the joints, spine and head - or speak to a doctor or physiotherapist beforehand.
We tested four massage guns from leading manufacturers: The expensive models Hypervolt from Hyperice and Theragun Elite from Therabody and the favourably priced Orthogun from Ortho Mechanik and the Hyperice Go model for travelling.
Therabody: Theragun Elite
- Measured max. volume 66 decibels
- Battery runtime* 2 hours
- Weight 1.0 kilogramme
- Price 399 Euro >> e.g. Otto or Mountain time available
The Theragun Elite from Therabody and the competitor product Hypervolt from Hyperice each cost 399 euros and are therefore in the mid-range for vibration massagers. Both devices work in a similar way, as our massage gun test shows: Pressing a button sets the piston in motion, which triggers the massage head to move up and down. Four additional attachments are included with each massage gun. The preset programmes last between 5 and 30 minutes, but in principle the massage guns can also be used for longer.
Hyperice Hypervolt
- Measured max. volume 61 decibels
- Battery runtime* 3 hours
- Weight 1.1 kilogramme
- Price 399 Euro >> e.g. available here
Shortly after starting the massage, a pleasant tingling sensation is felt in the muscles, tension in the neck and arms is relieved and tired thighs quickly feel fresher again. The Therabody massage gun can be controlled via a comprehensive app, Hyperice only shows rudimentary application examples on the website. The Theragun is a little louder than the Hypervolt model, especially at the highest intensity level, and can therefore easily drown out the TV.
The smartphone app that comes with the massage gun provides specific exercises and shows whether you have selected the right pressure. The testers of the massage gun were all too cautious at first and only chose the right pressure with the help of the app. This had a positive effect on the depth of the massage: All testers agreed that they felt better after app-controlled sessions. The app's programmes for the carpal tunnel (a frequent cause of wrist pain), the lower back and, of course, the legs are particularly suitable for racing cyclists. Even more convincing would be the integration of this display on the display of the massage gun itself - so you could do without the smartphone app and have all the necessary information in one device.
The Hypervolt massage gun comes without an app; treatment instructions can only be found on the company website. This makes it difficult to use for the first time, but hardly bothers you once you have familiarised yourself with the videos. The various attachments are easier to swap out than with the Theragun and offer a wide range: thanks to a recess, one attachment can also be used to massage the spine. The testers also liked the easy handling with three massage levels. The only drawbacks: There is no pressure indicator and the shape of the handle makes it difficult to massage the back - unlike the triangle shape of the Theragun.
Hyperice Hypervolt Go
- Measured max. volume 60 decibels
- Battery runtime* 2.5 hours
- Weight 0.68 kilogramme
- Price 229 Euro >> e.g. available here
The handy model variant Hypervolt GO is a lot smaller and lighter - not the size of a jersey pocket, but perfect for training camps. In terms of volume and function (three massage levels that can be increased at the touch of a button), the significantly cheaper massage gun offers just as much as the larger model. The only difference is that the choice of attachments is much smaller. For to-go use, you have to make do with a flat disc attachment and a rounded pointed attachment. However, our testers found this to be absolutely sufficient for quickly regenerating leg muscles. Another positive aspect is the massage gun's long running time of over two hours on the medium setting. This means you can use the massage gun several times without recharging - which saves even more space if you take the device with you to a short training camp.
Ortho Mechanik Orthogun - Price-performance recommendation
- Measured max. volume 71 decibels
- Battery runtime* 2.5 hours
- Weight 0.72 kilogramme
- Price 169,95 Euro >> e.g. available here
The cheapest massage gun in the test comes from Germany: the Orthogun costs less than half the price of the Hyperice Hypervolt at 169.95 euros RRP. The equipment offers even more variance than the competition. A total of seven different attachments are included with the massage gun, which is practically packed in a round box with a carrying handle. The two metal-coated attachments are designed for use with massage oil. A great option, especially for athletes who are used to traditional hand massages with oil. A small accompanying booklet provides a brief and easy-to-understand list of possible uses, broken down by attachment and body region. The massage gun itself is easy to use and has five intensity levels - the highest of which is quite strong. The noise level then rises accordingly to just over 70 decibels, the highest level in the test field. The comprehensive features combined with a comparatively low weight and the attractive price nevertheless make the Orthogun the best choice. Price-performance recommendation in the massage gun test.
*Manufacturer information
