While there are many ways to relieve sore muscles, such as stretching and foam rolling, there's an extra layer of luxury with a personal massage gun. The percussion therapy device relieves tension, allowing you to feel less sore after a workout and less achy after long periods of sitting. And, to use it, all you have to do is sit there.
As a health and wellness writer who is always in pain for one reason or another, the concept of a massage gun makes sense to me. If I don't have back pain from typing at my desk, I'm going to have pain from trying a new exercise routine. On top of that, even if I stretch before bed, I always wake up feeling stiff. In short: I'm a girl who needs a massage gun. That’s why I’m so excited to put on the gloves for the Flyby F1 Pro Massage Gun.
This particular device looks just like the acclaimed Theragun, but costs only a quarter of the price. It also has many of the same features - first, it delivers a deep-tissue massage equivalent to 50 pounds of pressure, designed to relieve muscle tension that occurs after working out or sitting for long periods of time. The F1 Pro also offers three speeds, four hours of battery life, and six interchangeable massage heads so you can truly get into all your nooks and crannies.
I've tried other massage guns in the past and I'm literally in a fugue thinking how great it would be to try this again. Read on for my honest review of the F1 Pro Massage Gun and how it compares to other massage guns I’ve used.
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quick overview
- Price: $62.23
- Best for: Deep tissue massage, relaxation, improved mobility
- Dimensions : 2.76 x 0.79 x 2.76 inches
- Weight: 1.8 lbs
- Rating: 4/5
What is a massage gun?
Certified personal trainer Rachel MacPherson explains that a massage gun is a recovery tool that uses percussion therapy to loosen tight muscles. It's a handheld device that looks a bit like a water gun, but instead of firing water, it hits your muscles with a (pretty intense) massage head that moves up and down quickly. This can help relieve muscle tension and increase range of motion, just like getting a deep tissue massage or foam in person, says Sandra Gail Frayna, a physical therapist and founder of Hudson Premier Physical Therapy & Exercise. Same as the axis. That's why athletes and exercisers often use massage guns to reduce post-workout recovery time.
Massage guns can also help reduce stress, as the percussive motion can remove tension. This means they are also really good for relieving back pain. "Massage is known to help reduce back stiffness and pain caused by sitting for long periods of time," McPherson says. That's why massage is just as convenient at work as it is at the gym.
That said, while it's nice to have one of these on hand, you don't really need it, says Dr. Kristen Gasnick, PT, DPT, a board-certified physical therapy physician. "While a massage gun is a convenient and practical tool, it is only an asset form of manual therapy and is not necessarily superior to using hands or other tools to loosen soft tissue," she points out. You can also relieve stress with a good stretch.
Testing the F1 Pro Massage Gun
Since there was no shortage of sore muscles to choose from, I decided to start in the middle, working on the knot of muscles just below the shoulder blades. The F1 Pro owner's manual tells you to massage over clothing while "pressing lightly and moving each area on the body for about 60 seconds," so I put the massage gun on my back and started gliding.
I chose the smaller round attachment as a way to pinpoint that pesky knot. It feels great to glide over areas of my back that tend to get cramped, as well as my shoulders. do you know? After a minute or two, the stinging does start to subside.
I also started using the F1 Pro in the morning. It turns out that a quick muscle massage makes it easier to get out of bed without my habitual pause at the edge of the bed. (Just me?) I opted for the round attachment again, this time focusing on my thighs, hamstrings, and upper back. Like a good stretch or morning yoga, it wakes up my muscles and relieves stiffness.
As for post-workout soreness, I make a point of giving myself a quick massage after a week of exercise. One day I did my favorite dance aerobics, another day I went for a walk with my dog, and the next day I did a sweaty kickboxing video. Although my hamstrings are often sore, I've noticed that I feel more relaxed and flexible than I did in the days before using the massage gun.
result
Finally, I put the massage gun next to my desk for a quick midday back massage, which honestly brightens me up for the entire day. I also love how it relieves pain. I was exhausted through squats and planks (thanks kickboxing!), but once I started using the F1 Pro, the pain was noticeably less painful a notch or two. These are the two most prominent improvements.
One thing to note is that this type of tool does take some getting used to. As with any massage gun, you must be careful not to roll it onto bony areas, such as your spine or elbows. I accidentally did it a few times and the vibrations felt like they were shaking my entire skeleton. It's definitely something you only do once or twice, though, and then you remember not to roll your bones again. In fact, Gasnick said, there are many areas of the body that cannot be massaged. Do not massage bones or joints, organs or neck, face or head. This may seem obvious, but it's worth saying.
similar product
Theragun is a well-known professional-grade deep tissue massager. It comes in a variety of sizes and prices, ranging from $159 for the Mini to $499 for the PRO. The F1 Pro is most similar to the Theragun Prime, which also has many attachments and powerful massage functions. While the Prime is pricier, you do get five customizable speed ranges, and it's Bluetooth-enabled so you can sync with the Theragun app for personalized treatments - a feature you don't get with the F1 Pro.
judgment
I've always loved using massage guns for sore muscles and back pain, and the Flyby F1 Pro is as good as any massage gun I've tried. I highly recommend this as a less expensive Theragun-style massager, especially if you're like me and are often sore.
Research reference:
Konrad, A. 2020. Acute effects of percussive massage therapy using a high-voltage device on plantar flexor muscle range of motion and performance. Journal of Sports Science Medicine. Phone number: 33239942; PMCID: PMC7675623.
Weerapong, P. 2005. The mechanics of massage and its impact on performance, muscle recovery, and injury prevention. sports medicine. DOI: 10.2165/00007256-200535030-00004.
