These Trainer-Approved Recovery Tools Might Be Just As Important As Your Workout - Rolling Stone

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From at-home massage tools that look like futuristic power tools, to rollers that can double as vibrating back massagers, finding the right recovery tool can be almost as intimidating as a hard workout. But the good news is that you have almost an endless amount of recovery gear you can try out now.

Whether you’re trying to bounce back after a strenuous hike or a workout, or you’re feeling sore after a long drive, the main purpose of using recovery tools, as you might have guessed, is “to help aid in the process of recovery,” says Ariel Foxie, a New York City-based private trainer and fitness and wellness consultant.

What you’re recovering from can range, Foxie explains, “from the day-to-day stressors — because that could also take a physical toll — to training programs. and sometimes even the sitting that I have to do behind the computer for long hours.”

Related: The Best Fitness Gifts to Give Someone Who Never Misses a Workout


As Foxie points out, the best recovery tools can be used outside of your workouts, too. If you’ve ever felt sore after a day glued to your screen, it might be time to break out your foam roller sitting next to your yoga mat, or try picking up that Hyperice or Theragun. “Sometimes at the end of the day, I do reach for a foam roller or a lacrosse ball or yoga blocks and bolsters,” he says, “to help me feel like I’m not turning into a tin man.”

Once you figure out which recovery tools you want to try, it then comes down to when you decide to use them. But don’t worry, there’s no rule about a specific time you have to roll.

“I know people hate hearing this, but it really does depend,” Foxie says. “A lot of people do think that recovery has to be after a workout, but there are benefits to using recovery tools pre-workout. It does help aid with circulation [and] it does help with mobility or range of motion, before a workout. On the other side of things,” he says, “[recovery tools] also help speed up the process of fighting off soreness or repair, and reducing inflammation that might occur after a strenuous workout.”

Recovery Gear Buying Guide


Portability and Size: Some recovery products take up more space than others. The latest recovery tools can range from something travel-sized that you can stash in a backpack (say for the gym or a trip), or larger pieces that you can keep around in your home gym. Still, most massage guns, foam rollers and other recovery accessories are easy to store when not in use, even if you live in a small space.

Features: What features do you want from recovery tools? In other words, do you prefer to have a vibrating foam roller or a massage gun that uses percussive motions to help relieve tension? Or do you want something you don’t have to charge at all? The best recovery tools can often offer everything from massage to monitoring, helping you relax, repair and restore at the same time.

Budget: The majority of the tools on this list cover a wide range of budgets. While you’ll pay more for massage guns, there are also more affordable accessories you can add before or after your workout routines, from foam rollers to lacrosse balls.

What Are the Benefits of Using Recovery Tools?


There are many benefits to using recovery tools like foam rollers and massage guns. For starters, they can help soothe and relax tired joints and ease sore muscles. The best massage guns for recovery use a pulsating motion to loosen muscles, say, after a long run or heavy workout. A foam roller, in the meantime, can help relieve pressure on your spine by gently rolling out your back.

The best recovery tools can also help you relax, offering a way to wind down and zone out before bed or as a way to relieve stress. We’ve also included a couple of new post-workout accessories, which are designed to help you track your recovery and to help speed up recovery time.

What Are the Best Recovery Tools?


Whether you want to recover before or after workouts, or after a long day at your home office, here are some of the best foam rollers, massage guns and recovery tools you should consider, including some of Foxie’s picks and some of our favorite tested pieces of gear.

1. Hyperice Hypervolt Massage Gun

Amazon


For a massage gun that can help soothe soreness without making you want to plug your ears, consider the Hypervolt from Hyperice. You can use this three-speed cordless version in tandem with the Hyperice app on your phone for a more guided recovery session, and according to the company, it can run for about three hours when fully charged. If you want something more affordable, Foxie also notes the brand has a travel-friendly tool called the Hypervolt Go as well as the vibrating Venom back belt that targets your lower back.

Hyperice Hypervolt with Bluetooth, $349, available on Amazon

2. TriggerPoint Foam Roller

Amazon


When it comes to a piece of essential recovery gear, Foxie calls foam rollers “must-haves” because of their price point, and benefits. He recommends, TriggerPoint, which offers a number of different foam rollers based on size and feature. We like this grooved model, which can support a body up to 500 pounds and has a variety of surfaces, for more targeted rolling. TriggerPoint says the GRID roller is great for massage, stretching and post-workout recovery.

TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller, $38, available on Amazon

3. PowerDot 2.0 Smart Electric Muscle Stimulator

Amazon


Foxie says PowerDot’s two-pack of wireless muscle stimulators has been an important part of his workout routine, “From using them for running, pre-workout and post-workout,” he says. PowerDot’s powerful vibrations can also help aid in acute or chronic injuries, Foxie explains, with 15 pre-set programs that you can choose from based on your needs.

Connect to the PowerDot app and input your physical information and have the app recommend the type of pre-set program you should be doing, and graph out your progress. This 4.4-star rated set (out of five) includes two pods, two sets of electrode pads, two sets of cables, two micro USB charging cables and a charging case.

PowerDot 2.0, $349, available on Amazon

4. Whoop Strap

Whoop


Whoop’s minimal fitness band gives you instant info about things like how long you slept the night before (including how well you actually slept) and gives you data-backed tips for how hard to push yourself the rest of the day, whether you’re working out or planning for a packed day of presentations. In other words, it helps you adjust throughout the day based on how much your body’s recovered. It’s one of our favorite fitness accessories that takes a broader look at your health and helps you set your workout goals from there. We think it’s a must-have recovery tool for anyone who loves tracking their fitness.

Whoop Strap 3.0, prices vary, available at Whoop

5. Amazon Basics High-Density Foam Roller

Amazon


Rolling after a hard run doesn’t have to be expensive. If you want a good place to start while staying within your budget, Foxie suggests Amazon Basics. This bargain roller, which has a smooth surface, comes in four lengths and sizes: 12, 18, 24 and 36 inches.

Amazon Basics Foam Roller, from $10.49, available on Amazon

6. Lacrosse Balls: Champion Sports Official Lacrosse Balls

Amazon


Frequent runners don’t always need expensive, high-tech products to relieve tension before or after workouts. Foxie recommends trying simple lacrosse balls. They’re an inexpensive choice that you can pack in any bag or even in your pockets. We like this Champion Sports option because you can order it in packs of two, six or a dozen, and it also comes in multiple colors.

While these are official lacrosse balls used in games, they’re great to roll under the balls of your feet, your lower back, or under your glutes, for an effective portable recovery tool.

Champion Sports Official Lacrosse Balls, $30.08 for 12-pack, available on Amazon

7. Cornbread Hemp USDA Organic CBD Balm

Cornbread Hemp


Fans of CBD products who want something extra portable might try this CBD balm from company Cornbread Hemp. According to the brand, it’s made for “long-lasting comfort on sore muscles and joints,” and it can easily be stored in your medicine cabinet or a gym bag so you can roll it on even if you’re not near your other recovery gear. The full-spectrum organic CBD formula helps to soothe joint pain and tightness, while the peppermint blend provides a relaxing blast of cool relief.

Cornbread Hemp CBD Balm, $54.99, available at Cornbread Hemp