The 14 Best Myofascial Release Tools of 2022, According to Fitness Experts

Foam rollers are ideal for targeting the upper back, lower back, arms, glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings and calves. This budget-friendly pick from Amazon comes in a variety of colors and lengths, is lightweight and perfect for beginners. Simply apply the foam roller to the designated area and use your body weight to adjust pressure. Aim to foam roll before static or dynamic stretching activities; it can be part of your cool down as well. You may be tempted to just roll back and forth, but proper foam rolling involves slowly rolling the targeted area until you find the most tender spot, then holding that spot for 30 seconds to relax the targeted area and reduce discomfort.

This textured, multi-density foam roller is a step-up from traditional high-density foam rollers and features a foam exterior over a rigid hollow core. Available in a variety of colors, our experts like the grid texture that allows you to target certain areas like knots and tight muscles. We found that the durable construction maintained its shape and integrity even after prolonged use.

This vibrating, Bluetooth-enabled foam roller is a great recovery device for both novices and active individuals alike. Vibration is thought to alleviate pain, allowing you to foam roll for longer and enhance recovery. You can control the device manually or via the Therabody app to target specific muscles and activities. Our experts appreciated the soft yet supportive cushion and that the roller has five vibration settings. Start slow and work your way up if you're new to rolling and vibration therapy.

Rolling sticks, like this one from IDSON, are great for using on the neck, arms, quadriceps, hamstrings, calves and feet. Comprised of a padded bar with handles, place the roller on your body and then roll along the length of the muscle to ease stiffness and aid in recovery. The benefit of a muscle roller stick is that you can really control the amount of pressure, whereas something like a foam roller is more dependent on how much of your bodyweight you put on it.

Massage balls are excellent to use on the shoulders, upper back, lower back, glutes, arms and even feet. They are ideal for targeting key areas and smaller hard-to-reach muscles. A tennis ball, softball, baseball or lacrosse ball are all great options that you may already have lying around the house, but this ball has scientifically developed grooves for higher global shear pressure. Our experts find it is well-made and sturdy, works best on the shoulders and has the perfect diameter for reaching trigger points. 

A top performer in our tests, the Theragun PRO comes at a high pricepoint but delivers a powerful muscle recovery experience. Our experts appreciate the ergonomic handle that allows for an easy grip, powerful smooth motor and long battery life. It also offers four arm positions to help reach any area of the body. Plus, this version was designed to be quieter than previous generations. The Theragun PRO comes with six attachment heads and a protective carrying case, plus it features bluetooth integration to the Therabody app.

This massage gun is available at a better pricepoint than competitors but still excels in quality and function. The Hypervolt has more of a handheld feel, offers five interchangeable heads and three different speeds to help relieve sore muscles and stiffness. Our experts like that it has an extra long battery life, is relatively quiet when in use and features bluetooth connectivity to the Hyperice app. 

Enjoy the benefits of using a massage gun without the hefty pricepoint. This affordable pick has an overall 4.5 out of 5 star rating on Amazon with over 10,000 reviews. The massage gun comes with six attachment heads, functions at three different speeds and is lightweight. Reviewers say it is easy to use, powerful and a great value for the price. 

This ultra-portable, handheld massage gun is a perfect solution for travel or those on-the-go. The device has three speeds and one standard ball attachment at the end. This small but mighty device stows easily in a jacket pocket or bag. Our experts appreciate the compact size and ergonomic grip. For the size, it generates a good amount of power and also has a 150 minute battery life.

Massage canes are ideal for working on the neck, shoulder, upper back, lower back, glutes and feet. Options like this one from LiBa feature treatment knobs to apply to the affected area. This massage cane weighs less than a pound, making it super lightweight, and the unique handle shape allows you to position it and target those hard-to-reach areas. 

This innovative wheel features a thick padding and is designed to fit perfectly between your shoulder blades, making it ideal for targeting the muscles that go up and down your spine. The wheel is designed to reduce back tension and target knots, but ease into using this device as your body may need some time to decompress and relax tight muscles. The wheel is available in different sizes, but the 12 inch is the largest and most gentle option making it great for beginners. 

Bodyweight-based massage tools like this one from njoie utilize your body weight to apply and adjust pressure to the affected area. They are available in different sizes and designed for different body regions, but this MFLEX is designed as a whole-body deep-tissue massage tool that is great for targeting those hard-to-reach-muscles. Our experts like that this option is portable, doesn't require charging and has rubber tabs on the base to keep it secure as you use it on the floor or wall. It comes with two sets of heads which can be used in combination or individually.

Serious athletes swear by compression systems like this one from NormaTec that was once considered medical grade but is now available to consumers to use in the comfort of their own home. The system includes compression boots, hosing, power supply and the pulse device itself. The boots fill with air and then a special compression sequence helps to enhance blood flow and circulation, reduce pain and soreness and speed up recovery. Our experts find the system very effective but note that it is a hefty investment and best for competitive athletes or highly active individuals. NormaTec also offer an upgraded option with compression attachments for arms and legs.

This effective and affordable device is not for the faint of heart. This set takes the concept of acupuncture and turns it into an at-home solution. Essentially a cushioned foam mat with sharp small spikes, all that is required is for you to lie down on the device and experience the thousands of acupressure points that stimulate nerves and improve blood circulation, leading to increased energy and faster muscle recovery. Available in several colors, this mat also comes with a small neck pillow that can even be used on your feet.