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Help relieve tired muscles and soothe aches with these tried-and-tested muscle pain relief rubs and recovery balms
Whether you’re an exercise bike enthusiast looking to heal your injured or fatigued muscles or an arthritis sufferer who wants to alleviate muscular or joint pain, over the counter muscle rubs and topical analgesics can offer some level of pain relief.
We take the claims of “magic” muscle rubs, creams and balms with a pinch of salt. They promise to relieve post-exercise aches and pains and speed up recovery, but there’s very little scientific evidence that proves they actually work.
We’re often left wondering: are they just a placebo? But while some people roll their eyes and say they don’t work at all, there are also people who swear by them.
However, nowadays there are so many gels, creams, sprays and patches on the market that it’s getting hard to distinguish the miracle workers from the over-priced and underperforming products. So, how do you know which is the best muscle rub to choose?
Of course, it mainly comes down to personal preference – if you hate the smell of Arnica, for example, then best to avoid any balms featuring Arnica flowers as the active ingredient. In our opinion, the most effective formulas are usually light and non-greasy, and leave skin feeling soothed and nourished.
We tried a range of muscle rubs – all designed to ease pain and muscle soreness – after heavy gym sessions, long cycle rides and gruelling training runs. We applied a small amount onto our fingers or sprayed the product directly onto the skin and massaged onto the affected areas – namely; sore glutes, overworked quads and tight hamstrings. These were our favourites.
Adding one of the above muscle rubs to your basket is pretty much non-negotiable for sporty, muscle-working folk in need. It is worth remembering that skincare is very individual and results will vary from person to person – so the balms that we found worked best for us, might do nothing for you (although they may offer a small placebo effect). There is, after all, no such thing as a magic cream that will completely eliminate your pain.
Our favourites? We really loved how easy, fuss-free and effective both Eresos active muscle therapy balm and This Works sleep plus massage relief were to roll on and soothe tired and achy muscles. We adored the relaxing and reliving smell of the Holistic Impact CBD body salve. And found Bloom and Blossom’s legs eleven was the best at quickly sinking into skin (with no sticky residue).
For more products that will relieve muscle pain, check out our guide to the best at-home massage tools