How Massage Guns Help Boost Your Marathon Journey

With the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon coming up,it’s no doubt that everyone is training hard, but recovery is an equally important aspect that isn't as talked about. Well, I’m here to talk about it. 

Therabody Theraguns are able to deliver percussive therapy which not only enhances muscle recovery, but also assists in managing pain, reducing stress and boosting the user’s overall wellbeing. This makes it perfect for marathons.

Pre marathon

Loosening the fascia

Let’s be honest, as much as stretching is necessary, how many of us truly enjoy it? Well, Theraguns can lessen the time it takes for you to warm up so you can begin the fun part!

Paul Helms, the founder of Helms Performance and Licensed Massage Therapist, theorized that the repetitive force exerted by massage guns has the potential to cause solid substances within your connective tissue, fascia, to become liquidy. By loosening the connective tissue near your muscle, not only will you feel less stiff, but your range of motion would also improve. 

In addition to that, Theraguns can help relieve tightness which leads to overuse injuries. Let’s be real, getting an overuse injury while training for a marathon sounds like the worst thing ever. While proper rest and intensity is still essential, Theraguns can help ease the load and reduce the chances of the injury happening.

During the marathon

Enhanced blood circulation

Often, when running a marathon, fatigue is the biggest challenge runners face. Well good news, Theraguns may be the solution to that. The rapid and repetitive movements of the Theragun stimulates blood circulation. The enhanced circulation not only increases oxygen delivery so runners can run faster and longer without feeling fatigue, it also improves thermoregulation which helps to prevent overheating. 

Post marathon 

Easing muscle soreness and knots 

I’m sure we are all familiar with the well-known ache that haunts us a day or two after an intense exercise session. That familiar ache is known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), caused by tiny muscle fiber tears. Vibration therapy, a type of therapy offered by Theraguns, has shown positive results in not just prevention but also management of  DOMS. From a more long term perspective, this same vibration therapy has the potential to improve muscular adaptations over time, generally reducing the overall occurrence and intensity of DOMS. This would help take away the dread of knowing you’re going to be achy and sore when practicing for the marathon.

Which Theragun is the best for you?

With so many options, I don’t blame you for not knowing which massage gun to pick. So, let me break it down and help you choose the Theragun that best suits your needs. 

The most comprehensive Theragun: Therabody Theragun Pro Plus

The Theragun Pro Plus delivers 16mm percussive massages, Therabody’s deepest and strongest massage therapy.  If you want variety, the Theragun Pro Plus is sure to deliver. Not only does it come with 5 attachments (dampener, thumb, standard ball, micro-point and wedge), it is also compatible with Plus Attachments which are sold separately. The Theragun Pro Plus is able to deliver LED, heat, vibration and cold therapy. With a wide range of attachments and therapies available, the Theragun Pro Plus is sure to satisfy all your massaging needs. 

The most portable Theragun: Therabody Theragun Mini Plus 

The Therabody Theragun Mini Plus is the only travel-sized Theragun that is able to deliver heated percussive massages. This means you’re able to get a massage 3 times more effective than a regular percussive massage, anytime, anywhere. In its box, you’ll find the Heated Percussive Plus Attachment which delivers 3 heat levels of up to 55°C. No interest in heated percussive therapy? Just turn off the heat setting. If you’d like a wider variety, the Theragun Mini Plus is also compatible with Plus attachments which are sold separately. 

Coach by Therabody

Both Theraguns listed are compatible with Coach by Therabody. Coach by Therabody helps ensure you're recovering enough from your daily endeavors. Be it training for the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon or just your day to day life, Coach by Therabody tracks your activity via Garmin, Strava, Apple Health or even Google Fit and recommends massage sessions based on the activity done. Not only does this act as a reminder for you to slow down and recover, but it also provides detailed instructions on how to make the best use of the Theragun you own. From duration to speed and even attachment, this app will provide you with all the information you need so you’ll never have to worry about the best way to recover. 

The app is also able to start the Theragun alongside changing its speed or heat temperature if applicable. This can be done based on the recommendation of Coach by Therabody or on your own terms. No pressure ;)

Author-Nat