The best tools to help you relax and recover
We got deep into self-massages during the throes of the pandemic. Anxiety and stress was at an all-time high and became a literal pain in the neck while home workouts led to all sorts of soreness. Couple that with the fact that most days found us hunched over a laptop, a massage sure sounded nice.
Of course, going to a massage therapist was pretty much out of the question. So we pulled together the massage tools our team swears by, all updated with the newest models and available online for (relatively) quick delivery. From heated, undulating pillows to targeted percussive guns endorsed by pro athletes, there's a wide variety at your disposal to help alleviate tension along with any muscle soreness and stiffness.
Multiple studies have proven that rolling your muscles out with a "hurts so good" foam roller reduces soreness while improving range of motion. The 3D textured nubs on this one replicate the fingers and palms of a human hand.
$17.99 by
The Original Body Roller
These wheels come in three sizes so you can choose whether you want more targeted relief or overall stretching for back pains and general loosening up.
$49.99 by Chirp
Not only is the Lyric quieter and more stylish than your average percussive gun, it's streamlined (it charges and holds the interchangeable tips in that sleek base) and smarter too. The WiFi-enabled gun allows you to connect it with an app so you can have guided massage sessions. The touchscreen lets you choose the experience you need: Pain relief, calm or energy. Each feels a bit different but definitely hits the spot.
$199.99 by Lyric
This cushy pillow provides a deep kneading shiatsu massage as the nodes move in and out for an authentic massage feel. There's also a heat option to help relax muscles.
$36.20 by Homedics
This decidedly lo-tech option is favored by massage therapists because of its multiple treatment balls, which target specific hard-to-reach muscle aches for maximum pain-relief.
$21.99 by Trigger Point
Anyone who hasn't tried one of these thinks they're a joke ... until they use it. This one has a dozen rubber-tipped steel tines to gently massage without tangling or scratching.
$5.49 by Body Back
This buzzing rubber ball is excellent for targeted rolling and particularly good for people with tight, taught calf muscles or arch and heel pain.
$99 by Hyperice
The clever mounting system lets you attach this rolling massage ball to any flat surface. Then simply lean on it with your body weight to control how much pressure to apply.
According to an American Massage Therapy Association survey, 33% of Americans reported getting a massage for stress reduction, relaxation or muscle soreness in the past year.
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