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Recovery and mobility

Theragun percussion massager

A handheld percussion device: a motor in a handle, an arm, and a set of interchangeable heads.

Percussion massager on a table next to a mat

Photograph illustrates the category, not this exact model.

What it is good at

  • Reaching the back and shoulders without a second person
  • Running quietly enough to be used in a flat
  • Swapping heads for broad or narrow contact

Check before you buy

  • Amplitude in millimetres and stall force rather than the number of speeds
  • Attachment shapes, and whether replacements are sold separately
  • Weight and grip angle in your own hand, since you hold it throughout

Who it is not for

Anyone who wants a hands-free tool: a percussion device has to be held for the whole session.

A percussion device is a reciprocating motor with a padded head on the end of an arm. The head travels a set distance on every stroke, and that distance, the amplitude, is what separates a device that feels substantial from one that buzzes against the skin.

Stall force is the second number worth finding. It describes how much pressure the motor takes before it stops moving, and a device that stalls easily has little headroom left when you lean into it. Battery life and noise are the practical limits after that.

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A hollow roller with a rigid core and a textured surface, so it keeps its shape under body weight.

Best for
Floor work before or after a session, in a room with enough space to lie down.
Watch out for
The textured surface is firm. A first roller is easier to start with in a smooth version.
Check price and availability
Yoga mat rolled out on a wooden floor

Recovery and mobility

Manduka yoga mat, 5 mm

A dense mat that lies flat, grips when hands warm up, and does not shed foam crumbs.

Best for
Floor work, stretching and bodyweight sessions on tile, concrete or floorboards.
Watch out for
A closed-cell mat is heavier than it looks and takes a few sessions to lose its slick surface.
Check price and availability