With millions of athletes and gym goers looking to promote faster recovery, it’s no wonder why how to use a massage gun for cool downs after workouts has become a much-sought-after topic.
Putting our body muscles through a good workout gives us satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.
However, what's even more important is that we give our body the time and care it needs to recover from such strenuous exercise.
With good bouts of workout, comes an increased risk of muscle soreness and fatigue. Going through a cool down process has been proven to be incredibly beneficial in helping the body get back to its optimal state.
One tool that's proven especially effective in providing relief and helping you with your cool-down process is a massage gun.
Widely reputable for their portability and convenience, these devices release rapid bursts of pressure that reach deep into the human body tissue to promote faster muscle recovery and relaxation.
That's why they've become a highly sought accessory for athletes and active individuals looking for more efficient and comfortable cool down sessions. While this may seem like an easy job, most people don't know how to incorporate a massage gun into their workout routine.
To help you out, we've put together this comprehensive guide on how to use a massage gun for cool downs after working out.
Keep scrolling to learn more.
How to Use a Massage Gun for Cool Downs After Working Out
Whether you are new to the world of massage guns or have been using it for some time, making use of this device as part of your cool down process is very simple.
Follow these steps to get the most out of your routine:
Start by identifying areas that need attention
Going through a cool down process means that you have to identify areas of your body which are in need of some attention.
As you may have guessed, these areas are muscle tissue groups that have been worked out the most. For instance, if you had a leg intensive workout session, you should focus on your quads, hamstrings, and calves.
Same for areas like your abs and upper body. With the identified muscle groups, you can move on to choosing the right attachment for your massage gun. Let's explore just how you can do that in the next step.
Choose the right attachment for your massage gun
Making use of a massage gun for cool downs is only effective if you choose the right attachment for your workout.
For target muscle groups like your quads, hamstrings, and calves, you should go with a flat or ball attachment. On the other hand, if your focus is on your back muscles, you should reach out for a fork attachment.
You can also opt for the bullet attachment if you want to target smaller muscle groups. With adjustable attachments, it will be much easier to get into smaller areas like your shoulders and chest muscles with precision.
With your preferred attachment in place, you can now move on to choosing a speed setting.
Set an intensity level
Setting an intensity level with your massage gun is important as it helps you control the level of pressure you are exerting on tense muscle groups.
For a cool down process, it’s often wise to start with the lowest setting before gradually increasing it as you go. This will ensure that your handheld tool doesn’t overwork sensitive muscles and cause them to become sore.
If you can keep it low and still feel the effects of the percussion massage guns, then that’s a good sign. Just ensure that the intensity level is comfortable for smooth pain relief.
Massage areas that feel particularly sore in slow, circular motions
After having set an intensity level, it’s time to start massaging the areas that need attention.
Here, you should focus on areas that feel particularly sore and use your handheld device in slow, circular motions. Body areas that feel particularly sore include muscle groups that have been worked out the most as well as joints.
Massaging in slow, circular motions is important as it helps loosen up stiff muscle and increase blood flow to provide relief. As you continue with your massage, it's also important to keep an eye out for the intensity level of your percussion massager.
If the intensity is too strong, reduce it until you find a level of comfort. This is important as it helps you get the most out of your massage therapy session and avoid any acute pain.
Once you’re done with your massage, move on to the next step.
Take to rest and recover
While making use of a massage gun for cool downs is important, you should also look to other methods to ensure that your muscles are relaxed and in a better condition for your next workout session.
For instance, you can look to stretching exercises or go for a light jog that lasts for about 10 minutes.
Stretching exercises are especially effective as they help you increase your flexibility and range of motion while ensuring that your muscles are relaxed. On top of that, they’re also great for relieving tight muscles and reducing the risk of injury.
Adding a massage gun to your cool down routine is a great way to ensure that your muscles are relaxed and in a better condition for your next workout session.
With the right attachments, you can target specific muscle areas while also setting an intensity level that’s comfortable for you. This ensures you get the most out of your massage session without having to worry about chronic pain.
Now let's dive into just why you should use a massage gun for cool downs after working out.
5 Reasons to Use a Massage Gun for Cool Downs After Working Out
From promoting fast muscle recovery to preventing injuries and more, there are many reasons why you should consider using a massage gun for your cool down process.
Some of them include:
1. Promotes fast recovery time
Perhaps one of the most important advantages of using a massage gun for cool downs is that it helps promote fast recovery time.
With tough workout sessions, your muscles tend to become tight and sore, which can make it difficult to continue with the same level of intensity in subsequent sessions.
However, using a massage gun for cool downs helps loosen up the tightness and reduce inflammation which allows you to resume training at your desired intensity much faster. This way, you can recover faster and increase your chances of making greater progress with your workouts.
2. Prevents injuries
Ever felt like your body muscles and bone joints are too stiff after an intense exercise session?
That could be a sign of increased risk of injury.
When we put our body under intense physical strain, it can cause muscles to become tougher and tighter, which can increase the risk of injury due to increased stress on the joints.
However, using a massage gun for cool downs helps reduce muscle tension on joints by increasing blood flow to them. This helps reduce the chances of experiencing an injury which will likely set you back in your workout routine.
3. Reduced muscle tightness
Experiencing tightness in muscles after a tough workout session is quite common.
This tightness can make it difficult for you to move around freely and make progress with any activity you're looking to take part in.
With a massage gun, finding relief from muscle tightness is easier than ever. Percussive therapy provided by portable massage guns helps loosen up tight and sore muscles that have been worked out the most, allowing you to move around freely and enjoy better range of motion.
This ensures that you don’t experience any tightness or onset muscle soreness after your workout session.
4. Better blood circulation
While the human body is quite efficient in providing blood flow to our muscles, putting your body through any type of physical strain can make it difficult for the circulatory system to keep up.
This could lead to a decrease in performance and an increased risk of injury due to the lack of nutrients being delivered into our muscles. This is another reason why a percussive massager is an important accessory for cool downs.
Incorporating percussion therapy into your cool down routine helps increase blood flow and promote better muscle recovery. It also ensures that your muscles get the nutrients they need to stay healthy and perform optimally during your next session.
5. Mind relaxation
Going through a workout session can be very beneficial for the mind as it helps to release stress and keep your mental health in check.
However, a massage gun can be even more beneficial for the mind after a tough session as it helps to relax the body and provide relief from soreness. This relaxation helps to keep your mind in a calm state which is beneficial for day-to-day activities that require focus and clarity.
You also get to feel more energized after a massage gun session which can help you stay productive throughout the day.
On top of these five benefits, using a massage gun for cool downs also helps improve posture and relieves tension in the neck and shoulders. This is especially beneficial if you’ve been sitting for long hours or have done an intense workout that involved lots of heavy lifting.
Overall, incorporating a massage gun into your post-workout routine can be incredibly beneficial for both physical and mental health. So, make sure to give one a try to enjoy the numerous benefits of percussive therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find accurate answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we get on how to use a massage gun for cool down after working out. Let us know if you have any other questions that need to be answered.
How long should I use a massage gun for cool down after working out?
The length of time you should use a massage gun for cool down depends on the intensity of your workout and how your body muscles are feeling.
Generally, a massage gun should be used for two to five minutes on each muscle group after an intense workout session. But if you feel like your muscles need more attention and relief, you can extend the time to 10 minutes.
Always keep in mind to keep in mind to not overwork your major muscles, as this can lead to muscle strain.
Are there any side effects to using a massage gun for cool downs after working out?
While massage guns are generally considered to be safe when used correctly, it is possible to experience some mild side effects.
The most common side effect of using a massage gun for cool downs after working out is soreness in the area where the gun was used. This usually occurs if the massage gun was used too intensely or for too long.
Other side effects may include bruising, skin irritation, or muscle fatigue. All this side effects depend on the intensity and duration of the massage gun session. That's why it is important to stick to the instructions we've outlined in this article for maximum safety.
Besides a massage gun, are there any other tools I can for cool down after working out?
Sure. Massage guns are not the only tools you can use for cooling down after working out.
There are other options available such as foam rolling, deep tissue massage balls, stretch bands and even leg massagers.
Foam rollers are self -myofascial tools that help to relieve muscle soreness and tension in the body by using your bodyweight to apply gentle pressure. On the other hand, massage balls require the use of an external force such as a hand or a wall to help apply pressure on specific parts of the body.
Stretching bands are also a great tool for cool downs after working out as they can help to increase flexibility and range of motion. You can also find leg massagers like the Fusion Air C Pro which are specifically designed for helping to reduce soreness in the legs.
This can be especially helpful for those who experience leg soreness after running or intense cardio workouts.
Whichever tool you choose, make sure to follow the instructions and use it safely to help reduce muscle soreness and improve your post-workout recovery mode.
You can check out our library of guides on how to make use of these tools to cool down after working out.
Conclusion
Hope this article has answered any questions you may have on how to use a massage gun for cool downs after working out.
Whether you are just starting out or are experienced in using a massage gun after a workout routine, make sure to use the tool properly and follow the instructions outlined in this article for maximum safety and effectiveness.
Start by identifying fatigued muscle groups that need to be worked on, then choose the right head attachment for the massage gun to help relieve soreness and tension. Set an intensity level that is comfortable for you and then focus on muscle fibers that need the most attention.
Just ensure not to apply deep pressure as already tired muscles can lead to muscle strain. This way you can make the most of your massage gun and get the best out of your cool down session.
Benefits of using a massage gun for cool downs after working out include a faster recovery time, reduced muscle tightness, proper blood flow and mind-body relaxation. Take time to explore our powerful line -up of percussive massage guns to find the one that fits your needs best.
Whether it's the Fusion Elite or the Fusion Mini, you can rest assured that our percussive therapy devices are all made with the highest quality materials and come with a satisfaction guarantee. So don't wait any longer - reach out to us and pick up a massage gun today!
