Over the last few years is seems something of a revolution has occurred in terms of warming up, warming down, recovery, injury prevention and general self-maintenance. If you walk into almost any climbing wall (when they're open) it's now fairly standard to see people using an assortment of therabands, foam rollers, and massage balls. Perhaps this isn't too surprising, because at the end of the day, who doesn't like to feel limber - and who enjoys being injured? I've subscribed to this approach more and more in recent years in the hope that it grants me a long, injury-free life of climbing. From balls to bands, there are a lot of gadgets and gizmos for a climber who's into a bit of self love (!). Well now another implement has been thrown into the mix in the form of the Addsfit Portable Massage Gun. Given the abundance of other choices, we thought it'd be interesting to see how it fares against some of the simpler - and cheaper - options available. Does it work, and is it worth the money?

Before we begin it's worth distinguishing how the Addsfit Portable Massage Gun works, as it's a little different to your standard massage options, be that a foam roller, a massage ball, or indeed a massage therapist. Its use is more accurately described as 'percussive therapy', which works by a series of rapid vibrations. Whilst this is in no way a scientific review, I was intrigued to see what the research said about this technology, and from a quick search one thing was quite clear: there isn't a great deal of research out there and the research there is remains far from conclusive. As a sweeping summary: it may reduce (or prevent) delayed onset muscle soreness, but so too can regular massaging, which raises the question - why would you use this?

There are various things working in its favour, not least that it is extremely well made, practical, portable and convenient; as a result, you are more likely more likely to use it, as there are few reasons not to. This, at least in my eyes, is a positive, but clearly it comes at a price (this costs £73 vs. a massage ball which comes in at under £10). Whether or not it's worth this price may depend partly on whether or not you use it that much more as a result of the convenience. Interestingly I wasn't quite so sure, partly because I've always rated the Armaid that I reviewed a few years ago - particularly when it comes to working on specific tight spots and trigger points. However, as proof that everyone is different Penny - my other half - feels the complete opposite, much preferring this. She finds it much easier to isolate specific areas and due to its convenience has ended up using it a lot. Even I'll admit that it is a lot easier to use than the Armaid, which does require a bit of setting up (and graft).

Its aluminium constructive gives it a good, solid feel and it definitely gives the impression of a quality product. The fact it is so small means that you can easily pop it in your pack when you're off to the wall, or out bouldering or sport climbing, where it can be used to give your muscles a gentle warming up - just be sure not to overdo it! After exercise it can easily be used whilst down the wall as part of a warm down, or back at home watching the TV. Whilst it is impressively quiet, it is - in spite of what the marketing material might say - loud enough for you to notice it (you've just got to turn the volume up a bit to compensate).

It comes with two heads: one flat, designed for more general massage, and one pointy, which is geared towards more specific trigger point massage. I tend to use the former for warming up, as it spreads the load across a wider surface area, and isn't overly aggressive. The latter is the exact opposite and is great for getting into those specifically tight spots, working on trigger points and individual niggles. Both heads are made from aluminium, so feel quite firm, which has pros and cons. If you look at the larger models that are out there, including Addsfit's own Deep Tissue Massage Gun Max, they tend to come with a wider array of attachments, but are - due to their large size - significantly less portable. These different attachments are also made of different materials, some of which are softer, and that would have made a nice addition here, not least because the two that are included both feel quite firm, which is particularly noticeable when using them on your chest (it often causes us to feel short of breath, or cough, when we're using it).

When it comes to usage, it's great for accessing some places, but less great for accessing others. Arms and legs are easy, as they're all in front of you; back and shoulders less so, hence it's easier to work with someone else - just make sure they don't go too hard (or hit a bone, because it hurts)! I've found it to work particularly well on the forearms, back and shoulders, but potentially a little less well along the chest, where - as mentioned above - it often feels like it's beating the breath out of you. Due to its smaller size it doesn't feel like it has the necessary heavy hit to make an impact on the larger muscles such as the glutes, where I find a foam roller or massage ball to work much better. In terms of sensation alone its impact-driven nature makes it feel quite different to your average massage, which has a much smoother (and arguably more relaxing) feel, whereas this feels like you're being tenderised.

Inside the massage gun there is a rechargeable battery, which claims to last up to 400 minutes, but in practise feels like it lasts a lot less. The battery life also depends on the mode you've got it on, with three incrementally faster speeds - 1600/2500/3000RPM. These exert a range of between 9.9-12.2kg of force, which is definitely enough to get in there (and is arguably too much at times). For warming up I've tended to use the slowest mode, while for trigger points and deep tissue massage I switch to the middle or fastest settings.

Summary

I think the key to whether or not the Addsfit Portable Massage Gun is a success largely depends on whether or not it actively encourages you to use it. For anyone with performance in mind, self massage is key, not least because it'll help keep your muscles in good working order and, therefore, keep injuries at bay. There are definitely things that this can achieve that it is difficult or impossible to achieve with a foam roller or a massage ball, but equally I don't think it replicates the benefits and effects of a proper sports massage. As such, it's somewhere in between, so whilst it isn't the cheapest, if you use it, and if it encourages you to take keeping your body in good condition a little more seriously, then I'd argue it's worth it. In our household I am a little unsure as to whether it's worth it, but my other half is regularly using it, so do your research and make an informed decision.

• For more info see addsfit.com, or alternatively use the code ukclimbing to receive a 10% discount off via the following link