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As the New Year dawns, it’s a perfect moment to explore massage gun trends for 2024 and perhaps even further.
Are these market dynamics something to be concerned about in the USA percussion massage gun market? Will your preferred massage gun brands spice things up, or will things worsen as we enter the New Year and beyond?
We explore trends and opportunities we have seen and discuss what the future could bring. Stay along for the ride!
New tech will always take the top spot because what else could you expect in a techy world? Even so, this is probably the most natural direction you can hope the brands adopt.
But what exactly will the new tech be for our fitness enthusiasts?
Here’s what we think:
We’ll likely see brands incorporating advanced features into the basic functionality of massage guns. Have we seen this trend before? Yes, plenty of times!
Think Therabody adding pulse readers to their new models. We’ve seen Zarifa somehow include temperature gauges in their devices.
What about Therabody’s application (App)? Has it improved? Well, we expect them to ramp it up as time goes by.
We also believe it might only be a matter of time before other industry players pick this up.
Our Perspective
Call us the devil’s advocates or just your friendly neighborhood skeptics, but we’re not throwing a tech party just yet. Don’t get us wrong, though. We love tech, but we have mixed feelings about this trend.
While it’s all convenient – who wouldn’t love an intuitive app to go with a DIY massage? We feel only top-notch execution of individual solutions would make sense. It’s like baking a cake – it’s all about the perfect mix. This is not just a hunch; we’ve seen plenty of “wows” and “oopsies” to know better.
For all the praise new tech gets in our current world, the old ways still hold some forte. The heat and cold therapy technique for muscle recovery has been around for quite some time.
In some way, you could argue it’s been improving and will likely get better.
Many more brands will introduce heat and cold therapy into their massage guns to relieve muscle pain. Although this is not new, we only know a few examples, and it’s starting to blow up. How is it happening?
Therabody recently did it with their TheraFace Pro Hot and Cold. This new addition is also available in the new Theragun PRO Plus.
Before you know it, more and more brands will embrace this approach in a market size like this one. Why? Theragun always sets trends; this is the privilege (or maybe bane) of the largest brand in the industry.
So, at the end of 2023, Hyperice released the Heated Head Attachment, and Bob and Brad arrived with their C2 model, including Heat and Cold vibration therapy functionality.
Our Perspective
We love this trend. It makes a massage gun more than what it already is, adding even more effective capabilities.
Unlike some of the new technologies mentioned earlier, we believe this innovation contributes significantly to the daily recovery and relaxation process. Applying heat and cold on tired muscles is a time-tested method that has proven effective in enhancing the massage experience1,2.
Let’s face it, once many massage guns are on par in terms of functionality, there will be something else to offer. We think these guns’ overall design and quality will improve even further.
To our athletes and less-dynamic folks, brace yourselves for a parade of prettier, tougher massage guns, improved overall materials, and build quality. Perhaps this is where even the lesser-known and cheap massage guns will join the bandwagon.
Some examples we’ve seen recently include the new Bob and Brad Air 2 Mini massage gun. If Theragun Mini ever needed competition, this lesser-known new kid on the block offers it.
We also know of Taotronics TT-PCA004, which surprisingly only costs $39 despite looking quite luxe. Call it finding a designer dress at a thrift store price.
Our Perspective
This is a very encouraging trend that we hope can pick up very quickly.
We have had many concerns about cheaper and potentially unsafe Chinese products flooding the market. The move by smaller brands to focus on quality and design is a reassuring development for buyers.
Ergonomics isn’t just a fancy word in the world of massage guns; it’s the cornerstone of their effectiveness and user satisfaction.
How a massage gun feels in your hand, how easily it reaches those tight spots – these factors transform a simple device into an indispensable tool for self-massage.
We have seen brands tirelessly try to work out the best shapes for their massage guns. In some instances, we’ve seen brands try to outdo each other here.
The journey towards ergonomic perfection in massage guns has been intense and competitive. Initially, the industry had a narrow focus.
Brands like Theragun stood out with their premium designs, but their high price points were restraints for many. Ekrin Athletics, with its innovative slanted handle, offered a more accessible alternative.
Meanwhile, other brands seemed content to mirror Hypervolt’s design, overlooking the crucial aspect of user comfort and practicality.
Now, we’re witnessing a renaissance in ergonomic design. Therabody, never one to rest on its laurels, is pushing boundaries, building on its iconic triangular shape.
Our Perspective
We would love to see this as a positive trend in the future of massage guns.
We don’t mind a few experimentations here and there as long as they aren’t impractical. Should you find anything that doesn’t tickle your fancy, read some of our articles on what to choose.
This one has perhaps been one of the most explored trends in massage guns thus far. How?
Do you remember us telling of massage guns that have up to 20-30 attachments? We’ve always called this strategy a marketing gimmick, but you don’t get points for not trying.
The evolution in attachments isn’t limited to sheer quantity. We’ve observed intriguing developments like dual-head massagers, epitomized by Therabody’s Duo adapter, which allows simultaneous use of two heads. Urikar even pushed this concept further with a three-head adapter.
There’s also been a noticeable shift in the materials and designs used for attachments. Brands are experimenting with plastics, EVA foam, and silicon and introducing novel shapes.
For instance, moving beyond the standard flat attachment, some are now incorporating small bumps for a varied massage experience (here’s more on massage gun attachments).
Our Perspective
Having as many attachments as possible is good, but only if they add any real value. Having 20 attachments that all feel the same makes very little sense. This marketing ploy has now outlived its use.
The future of massage guns might not be confined to just guns themselves but rather a broader embrace of wellness products. This trend represents not just diversification but an evolution, building upon a foundation of successful products to explore new territories in wellness.
We’re witnessing an interesting shift: Established massage gun brands are branching into a wider array of wellness offerings. This isn’t about abandoning their roots but expanding their reach to encompass a more holistic approach to health and wellness.
Case in point are major brands like Therabody and Hyperice, which have included vibrating rollers (Wave Series) and massage guns for the face in their product range.
Other brands, such as Achedaway, Bob and Brad, and Renpho, have also ventured elsewhere. Reathletes, for example, has added leg massagers and compression boots to its lineup.
Our Perspective
The expansion into diverse wellness products is a positive sign of a constantly evolving industry. It’s refreshing to see these brands not just resting on their laurels but actively seeking new ways to enhance overall health and well-being.
This trend also speaks to a greater understanding within the industry of the diverse needs of athletes and general consumers.
Call us dreamers, skeptics, or just plain enthusiasts. Still, our vision for the future of massage guns is fueled by real-world experience and the chorus of feedback from our readers (via email, comments, social media channels, and discussing group).
Here’s our wishlist, straight from the heart of the massage gun community:
The landscape of massage guns is like a fast-paced thriller – always changing and always surprising. What’s trendy today might be a vintage collectible tomorrow.
And here’s a twist, just three years ago, these gadgets were practically unknown territory. Now, they’re a staple in the wellness toolkit. We’re on the edge of our seats, eagerly anticipating what’s next in this dynamic market. Stay tuned – the best, we believe, is yet to come!
Here's a quick rundown of all the tweaks and edits we've made to this article to keep it accurate and up-to-date!
Current version.
Published on:
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Written by:
Greg Szostak
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