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You’ve invested in a Theragun, but should you be using it before, during or after your workouts?
So you’ve invested in a Theragun. Well done. The question you’re probably asking yourself now is: should you be using before, during or after your workout? All of the above – but to different effect, says Nick Duncan, gym operations manager at London’s The Ned. By addressing aches and fatigue, massage guns can be a useful tool when embarking on a brand new fitness plan. Here’s your cheat sheet.
Physically on the mats but mentally still in bed? Percussive therapy increases blood flowand therefore core body temperature – ‘which is the whole point of a warm-up’, says Duncan. ‘Most of our club members use them before training – and it gets results. Target all of your major muscle groups, hitting each area for 30 seconds.’
If you’re 20 minutes in and already aching, ‘try using your massage gun between sets’, says Duncan. Percussive therapy soothes the burn, ‘reactivates’ muscles and fires up the nervous system. He recommends pummelling the muscles you’re working for 10 to 15 seconds. Now throw yourself into the next set renewed.
When you’re done sweating and ready for a cool-down, percussive therapy can help you pre-empt pain, as well as improving your range of motion and flexibility the next day, so you’re not stuck on the sofa. This is when you can take a little longer over it, says Duncan, ‘up to two minutes per muscle group’.
Don’t already own a Theragun? The Theragun Elite works deep to melt away tension and release soreness and is used by physical therapists, trainers, chiropractors, celebrities, athletes and over 250 professional sports teams worldwide.
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