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What would you consider an NFL massage gun?
We recently did a piece on NBA massage guns, explaining which massage gun the NBA uses. We know what to expect from a massage gun used by Lebron James. We also discussed other brands that aren’t so popular and how they’re just as good, if not better.
Today, we’ll take a look at NFL massage guns. What devices are used during the game, in the locker rooms, and during training?
Let’s find out…
Hyperice has been working with professional athletes in developing tech tools that help them with recovery and improve their performance and longevity. In 2020, they partnered with the NBA after having worked with pro athletes like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James for some time.
In November 2021, the NFL announced that it had partnered with Hyperice and that Hypervolts would be available to NFL players.
The deal includes working with Hyperice to develop technology that will help the league and its players become even better. In addition, Hyperice would also work with NFL prospects to ensure that anyone joining the league starts on a strong foot.
That means you can expect to see Hypervolts all over the NFL. During the NFL playoffs every year, Hyperice tweeted an image of new Hypervolts in the Kansas City Chiefs Locker room.
Hyperice has also made moves with NFL players, recruiting some of them as its ambassadors in the league. That includes the Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey.1
At first, the top massage gun from Hyperice was the Hypervolt Plus. However, later on, Hyperice released the Hypervolt 2 Pro. Most athletes in the NFL are now using Hypervolt 2 Pro. It’s the strongest Hypervolt right now (albeit not as strong as the original Plus).
It could be argued that the first massage gun to make its way into an NFL locker room was the Theragun.
Back in 2017, long before Hyperice could make its flagship massage gun (for everyone, at least), the Theragun 2nd generation was already in use.
Marvin Jones, then a wide receiver for the Detroit Lions, was spotted using “a tool that sounded and looked like a power drill.” It was so noisy that Jones couldn’t hear himself talk. Turns out that the muscle recovery tool was a Theragun. Back then, it was called a “Theragun.”
I use it before every practice, every game, stuff like that. When I use it, after I use it, I could go out there and just start running. I wish I had it early on.
Marvin Jones, Detroit Lions Wide Receiver on using a Theragun
Many other players loved using the Theragun even during games to relax their muscles. Julio Jones, then a receiver for the Atlanta Falcons, was spotted using a Theragun between possessions back in 2016.
The Theragun Pro 2nd Gen was the top Theragun at the time and was loved by the NFL. Just because Theragun doesn’t have a major deal with the NFL doesn’t mean it’s not being used in locker rooms or even during games.
Well, the main difference between Theragun and Hypervolt is the approach used. While Theragun insists on deep percussive hits with a long stroke length, it makes that point straight away. Hypervolt, on the other hand, mixes between stroke length and the number of percussions per minute.
The difference perhaps reflects the initial approach by both brands – Theragun was started by a chiropractor who wanted something to get rid of pain. In contrast, a former sports coach started Hypervolt.
Either way, different NFL players may choose a Theragun or a Hypervolt based on personal preference, except of course when a brand sponsors them or their team. In that case, it would be unethical, to say the least, to use a rival massage gun.
Individual players in the NFL have also partnered with one of these brands. For instance, Theragun has partnered with Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, among others.
Hyperice has partnered with Christian McCaffrey and Patrick Mahomes. Hyperice also has sponsorship deals with the Seattle Seahawks and the Dallas Cowboys.
TIP: We have a dedicated post that highlights all the differences: Theragun vs Hypervolt comparison.
Yes, there are other massage guns, not just Theragun or Hypervolt, being used in the NFL. Even before Hyperice started making moves in the NFL, other massage guns, apart from Theragun, existed.
Theragun Pro 2nd Gen was going for a whopping $599. Frugal NFL players had to find an alternative. TimTam was competing with Theragun back then, and it even cost at least $399.
Today, massage gun technology has come a long way. Back in 2018, when the massage gun craze was in full swing, many knockoffs flooded the market. Theragun and Hyperice fought off many of those early on.
Today, many brands are coming up with their blueprints. Those massage gun brands make awesome devices that cost way less than a Theragun or a Hypervolt.
Some of them include:
These are just a few massage guns used in the NFL. The fact that no one hears about them doesn’t mean they aren’t good enough. The big names are famous because of the money factor.
However, these least-known sports massagers have what it takes to compete. Any keen NFL player knows this and uses them. You can read individual reviews about these massage guns on our site. We have posts comparing them to Theraguns v Hypervolts, too.
| Massage Gun | Used By | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hypervolt 2 Pro | Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady | Powerful stall force, 5 speeds, ergonomic | Pro athletes, intense recovery |
| Hypervolt Go 2 | Backup for Mahomes | Compact, lightweight, decent power | Travel, light recovery sessions |
| Theragun PRO | Multiple NFL players | Deepest amplitude (16mm), customizable | Deep tissue therapy, serious soreness |
| Ekrin B37S | Recommended Alternative | High stall force, very quiet, ergonomic | Budget-conscious pros and home use |
The Tom Brady massage gun is the Hypervolt 2 Pro.
Brady launched his own fitness recovery brand, TB12, but has worked closely with Hyperice over the years. In fact, TB12’s vibrating foam roller is simply a rebranded Hyperice Vyper roller.
Since TB12 hasn’t released its own massage gun yet, it’s safe to say Tom Brady uses the Hypervolt 2 Pro for his recovery sessions.
Patrick Mahomes’ massage gun of choice is the Hypervolt 2 Pro. In 2020, Mahomes partnered with Hyperice to promote their massage guns.
At that time, the top model was the Hypervolt Plus. Today, Mahomes likely uses the upgraded Hypervolt 2 Pro for his recovery. He may also use the Hypervolt Go 2, Hyperice’s compact and travel-friendly device.
Right now, it looks like Hyperice is the default NFL massage gun. Deals are being made all across the league to have them as the number one brand.
However, individual players are likely to pick a massage gun based on their personal preferences. This means other massage guns are also being used in the league.
Theragun has had a fair run in the NFL and is preferred by some players.
For frugal NFL players, alternatives like Ekrin Athletics, Bob and Brad D6 Pro, and KiCA 3 are excellent alternatives.
Keep reading our massage gun reviews. Take care!
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:
Luke Deszczulka
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