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The game-changing massage gun Trent Alexander-Arnold can’t work out without
We ask if you should invest in the footballer-favoured at-home massage tool for post-workout aches
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Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool football player Trent Alexander-Arnold was announced as an ambassador for Therabody in December 2020, after stating that the brand’s Theragun massager had become a “constant” in his training regime.
In a recent interview with GQ, the 22-year-old spoke about how the coronavirus pandemic impacted his fitness and how taking care of his body became even more essential after suffering a calf injury in November.
Now that Alexander-Arnold, who was voted young player of the year last season, is back in a full-time training, he explained that he uses the Theragun Pro to help aid his recovery, improve performance, and get more out of his body.
“In lockdown we all had to find ways to work out alone and also stay motivated. I tried to focus on maintaining a base level of fitness, while also focusing on core stability and also my mental focus,” he said. “I book-end my workouts, practices and games with my Theragun Pro, using it to activate, warm up and recover my body to prevent soreness the next day.”
The Premier League star also shared another surprising benefit of the tool, explaining that it has even helped improve his sleep.
“As part of my commitment to prioritising my mental and physical health, sleep has become even more important. Sleep is crucial when it comes to my performance,” he said.
“I’ve integrated my Theragun into my night-time routine to ensure I get optimal rest, and I’ve noticed an incredible difference. It releases any tightness or stiffness I might be experiencing before bed and I wake up feeling good.”
So, what is the Theragun and is it really any good? Also known as a percussive massager, the tool is designed to provide targeted pressure that can help relieve sore muscles in the 24 to 72 hours following a workout, known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
According to the NHS, DOMS can occur when you start a new exercise programme, change your exercise routine, or increase the duration or intensity of your regular workout.
So, if you have hit the weights too hard at home and want to speed up your recovery, this could be the tool you need. We’re pretty familiar with the brand’s products, as one of the Theragun models landed a spot in our review of the best at-home massagers, while another was recommended by an expert in our guide to preventing DOMS. Read on to find out why they are worth investing in.
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Theragun liv: £179, Theragun
We called this handheld percussive massage device unbelievably good at treating knots and tight shoulders in our review of the best at-home massage tools.
This is the Theragun liv (£179, Theragun), a lighter-weight, slightly cheaper version of the brand’s other massagers. But unless you’re a professional athlete or physiotherapist, has all the features you need. “If you like your massages high pressure, you’ll love this: when you glide it onto a particularly gnarly knot, the feeling is almost epiphanic,” our tester said.
“It is loud – like audible in another room loud – and intense, but it treats specific muscle pains more effectively than anything else we tried. Excellent for athletes – the high-pressure massage reduces recovery time – it’s also a must if you’re suffering from aches and pains while working at home,” they added.
Theragun prime: £275, John Lewis & Partners
When we asked Lucie Cowan, senior trainer at Third Space London, how best to prevent DOMS, she recommended this Theragun prime (Theragun, £275).
“It’s often really helpful among many of my clients who experience DOMS regularly,“ she said.
This surprisingly quiet version relieves aches and pains by delivering an intensive deep massage, with four different heads that can be synced up to Apple health, Google fit and Samsung health to customise your experience depending on your workouts.
Read our full Theragun review in our guide to the best at-home massage tools