If you read fitness blogs, you’ve probably been seeing a lot of posts lately about Bob and Brad’s massage gun. A few weeks ago, the Bob and Brad team sent me an email asking if they could send me their Bob and Brad C2 Pro Massage Gun in return for a review. Why yes- I would be HAPPY to review your massage gun!
The Bob and Brad massage gun was actually on my Christmas list, but I ended up getting an air fryer instead (that air fryer, by the way, is seriously underutilized. But that’s a post for another day.) The reason I haven’t owned a massage gun before is that I have access to one at work. That’s fine, but it’s obviously more convenient to have one at home.
The Bob and Brad massage gun comes in a nice little case…
and has the option of five different heads.
One of the heads has a heat/cold option. That’s the one I tried out first, but while I appreciated the hot or cold feature, I like a more targeted massage, so I prefer this head:
The massage gun comes with a pamphlet explaining how to use it, but Bob and Brad also have some videos on their Youtube channel that are more helpful. You can find two of them here and here.
Here’s something Bob and Brad don’t talk about- in addition to moving the massage gun up and down, or across the muscle, you can also find a tender spot, hold the gun steady there, and contract and release the muscle.
I received the gun after my ankle injury, so I’ve mostly been using it on my calf. I use it to warm up the area before doing my stretches and mobility exercises. I’ve also heard of people using it to activate muscles before a run, and of course it’s great to use on tight muscles after running. When I’m running more regularly again, I’ll report back on all the ways I’m using it.
So- do you NEED a massage gun? Honestly… no. I think it has a similar effect as a foam roller, so if you have one of those and use it regularly, you’re just fine. BUT, I would rather use the massage gun than the foam roller (I should probably be using both, but let’s not get too crazy.) It feels really good, and I can sit on the couch watching TV while I massage my stiff calf muscles.
I think the Bob and Brad massage gun is very reasonably priced, and if you haven’t seen Bob and Brad’s free videos on Youtube, check them out immediately! I’m currently doing the mobility exercises from this video and the ankle strengthening videos from this one.. If you are interested in purchasing this massage gun, use discount code PRC2PRO10 for 10% off.
Bob and Brad! The two most famous physical therapists on the internet. (In their opinion, of course.)
I’m linking up with Jenn and Zenaida for their Tuesday topics- today they’re talking about their spring running schedules.
Do you use a massage gun or foam roller? Which one do you like more?
26 Responses
I’d rather use a massage gun than a foam roller, too, just because it’s more comfy!
What is the noise level like?
They are sending one to my Swiss address to try, so I’m excited to use it!
Catrina, you will like it! Not too noisy at all.
I just used it. So yes I think it’s better than a foam roller.
Definitely more comfortable to use than a foam roller!
I love my massage gun (I have a Theragun Mini). I use it frequently, both as recovery and warm-up. I definitely prefer it over the foam roller!
I can’t wait till I’m running more regularly and can start using this more frequently! But for now it’s working great to loosen up my tight calves.
Interesting! My husband has a Theragun and he likes it a lot, except that the battery now seems to be shot and won’t hold a charge. We are trying to see if we can get a new battery, but it is almost impossible to remove the battery, etc. They do not make it easy, let me tell you. Anyway, glad you got your very own massage gun!
Yes, I’ve been wanting one for a long time! I’m wondering how old your husband’s Theragun is- not sure how long these last?
I have never tried a massage gun, but I did have a foam roller and a tiger tail that I barely/rarely used. So I will probably need to get a better stretching regime before I spend more money on something else that I may not use. But I am looking forward to your more long term review on whether or not you like it after some time has gone by!
Kyria, I definitely don’t think you’re a candidate for this right now, with your extremely minimalist lifestyle! Maybe someday.
I have a small massage gun I got from Amazon and love it! I used to foam roll before I got it but I feel like I can target sore spots better with the gun. I use it daily before runs and then after long runs and it really does help. I think it’s cool (haha pun intended) that yours has a hot/cold feature!
Yes, and I will definitely report back when I can use it before and after runs! It should feel great after a long run.
I have never heard of a massage gun before! It looks very intimidating, but I can see how the focused attention to the muscles would be therapeutic.
It’s not intimidating at all, and there’s also a “sensitive head” for areas that might be super sore. But even with my injury, I’m liking the more focused head.
Does anyone regularly foam roll? LOL. Maybe it’s just me, but I hate doing it. LOL. (I also don’t like massage, so maybe a massage gun IS the solution for me. I just take like hot showers and Tylenol.)
That’s a great question- is anyone actually regularly foam rolling? It’s so uncomfortable. Yes, maybe a massage gun would be good for you. (Wait- you don’t like massages??? WHY?)
For me the key is when you said that a foam roller does the same thing…if you use it. Foam rolling was always such a chore that I never did it regularly. I can see where a device like this would be easier to use and more portable.
Yes, foam rolling is really a chore. This is so much easier, and it feels great. Also more portable- good point.
I wonder if I could use this on my upper neck? That is where I have the most issues with tightness/knots. I am sure a lot of it is stress and sitting at a computer all day and then it get exacerbated by some of my strength training. I haven’t ever used something like this, but I used to foam roll quite a bit when i was marathon training, especially on my IT band. It was a hurt so good kind of experience, but mostly it hurt. But I knew i needed it. I also got a runners stick at a marathon expo and I really like using that to work out areas of tightness. It looks like it has plastic marshmallow looking things on it and it kind of slightly bendable/flexible if that makes sense.
Well… in one of the Bob and Brad videos they have a list of places you should use this, and one of them is the neck. BUT! We had a training for massage guns at work, and they did say we could use it on the neck. Some people like it and some don’t though. So… maybe?
These massage guns are so great. I like that they are small and compact. I haven’t tried the hot/ice one, yet, but I love the idea!
Yes, the heat/ice is a nice feature.
I love all of my Bob and Brad recovery products. Yes, I use a massage gun and or foam roll almost daily. The option of heat sounds really great!
Wow Deborah, you are GOOD! I know you do the Peloton foam rolling classes.
Thanks for the review. I also would rather use the massage gun than the foam roller.
Oh wow, that is so funny. I got the same email from Bob and Brad a few weeks ago and didn’t follow up. Good for you for taking the massage gun in return for a review! 🙂