Best Muscle Rubs for Runners 2020

Feeling sore after a hard run—particularly when the pain sets in days later, as in the case of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)—is common for even the most experienced runners. It’s a bad-good feeling that combines the thrill of accomplishment with the humility of having to lower yourself slowly into a chair. There are lots of time-tested ways to quiet the pain, like ice baths, massage, and the oddly satisfying torture of foam-rolling. All of these can be helpful for reducing swelling and tissue breakdown—particularly when combined with a good muscle rub.

Much like ice baths and compression socks, using a muscle rub as part of post-run recovery has more than just anecdotal benefits. According to a 2019 study in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, using a topical analgesic like arnica can reduce the intensity of muscle soreness in the 72 hours after a run. Other creams and rubs have also been shown to reduce recovery time, due to the homeopathic contributions of menthol, magnesium, aloe, and more. And then there’s CBD, a cannabis compound newer to the market, which shows promise as an anti-inflammatory according to studies. In some cases the benefits have been characterized as simply perceptive—but is there a reason to discount some placebo effect, as long as you’re in less pain?

To help you choose the best muscle rub for your next post-run self-care session, we’ve rounded up our favorites below.

How we tested

Every product here has been thoroughly evaluated and vetted by our team of test editors. We research the market, survey user reviews, speak with product managers, and use our own experience with these muscle rubs to determine the best options. Most of our selections have been tested by our staff, and those that haven’t have been carefully chosen based on their active ingredients, effectiveness, comforting qualities, and value. Here are our picks for trying to soothe your muscles and speed up recovery.

---

—ICE BATH ALTERNATIVE—

Biofreeze Pain Relief Muscle Rub Gel

Like an ice bath for your muscles, this easy-to-apply gel provides some relief from post-run soreness, inflammation, and minor aches—or at least it distracts you from that pain long enough to feel like it’s helping. That’s actually the crux of how it works through what’s known as “gate-control theory.” Menthol 3.5 % in the gel serves as a skin irritant to draw your brain’s attention from the pain, which makes it more or less effective depending on your body’s reaction to the active ingredient. When it works, it really works—which is why you’ll find so many users swear by the stuff. Available in a tube or roll-on, it goes on cold and tingly, but with none of the overwhelming odor of Bengay or IcyHot.

---

—TIME-TESTED CLASSIC—

Tiger Balm Ultra Strength Ointment

Made with camphor and menthol, Tiger Balm comes in a tiny jar and looks like something you could buy in an old-timey apothecary. It’s one of those century-old topical remedies that has mixed scientific research in support of its efficacy but a lot of longtime users willing to swear by it. Massage a small amount in your skin and let it fully absorb—you’ll feel a tingling and then a warming and cooling effect that may relieve some of the effects of DOMS or joint pain. That’s because camphor has been shown to increase blood circulation, while menthol works as an anesthetic. In my experience, it works better than less natural, more commercial products that claim to have a similar effect, while also simply elevating your self-massage. But just be warned of two things: A little goes a long way—and you’re going to wish you’d washed your hands before touching your eyes or other sensitive body parts.

---

—BEST WARMING CREAM—

Sombra Warm Therapy Natural Pain Relieving Gel

Frequently recommended by physical and massage therapists, Sombra’s Warm Therapy gel gets its pain-relieving powers from similar sources to other natural creams and gels—3% menthol, aloe vera, camphor, witch hazel, yucca, and other plant sources. The difference is that it feels lighter and creamier than similar gels like Biofreeze while providing a powerful tingly, warming sensation. It also has a more pleasant smell than many other topical analgesics, while providing a similar deep burn. It’s a solid choice for post-run muscle soreness, or just accompanying a massage to help expedite recovery.

---

—BEST CBD AND ARNICA RECOVERY TEAM-UP—

Floyd’s of Leadville CBD Recovery Balm

Launched by former pro cyclist Floyd Landis, Floyd’s of Leadville makes CBD recovery products for athletes. Landis himself is a true believer in the power of the hemp derivative—after sustaining a serious hip injury in a high-speed bike crash, he became depressed and addicted to opioids before discovering CBD. His cannabidiol empire now includes this muscle cream that combines 180mg CBD with arnica, another so-called miracle plant with dozens of uses, including anti-inflammatory properties. Much like other natural remedies, arnica’s effectiveness is a bit controversial—some find it has no effect on pain, others think it soothes pain and swelling from bruises, aches, and sprains immediately. But whether it’s pure placebo or dual-substance homeopathic magic, this tingly cream feels pretty good on quads after a long run.

---

—STAFF PICK—

The Feel Good Lab Natural Pain Cream

For a slightly more modern-looking—but still all-natural—rub for your sore muscles, the Feel Good Lab makes this cream with a veritable witch’s brew of plant-extracted ingredients, including arnica, magnesium, aloe vera, menthol, skullcap, and dozens more. It seems fitting that fans of the stuff have described it as a “magic cream.” Runner’s World test editor Amanda Furrer says she keeps it on her nightstand drawer in case muscle soreness crops up on her neck, shoulders, feet, or ankles. “It instantly has that cooling effect—and the smell is more subtly menthol,” she says.

---

—BEST FOR CONVINCING CBD SKEPTICS—

Social CBD Muscle Rub

While research on CBD’s effectiveness is still in its infancy, there’s evidence to support that the hemp derivative can reduce pain and stress in athletes. I have some reason to believe it—after a 30K trail race I failed to train for, this CBD muscle rub gave me considerable relief and made two days of DOMS a little speedier and more pleasant for my quads. Made with arnica, aloe, and 250mg of CBD, the cream packs in about a dozen plant derivatives that have long been used for their pain-fighting benefits. It’s easy to apply, and gives your skin a nice cooling sensation coupled with the tingly burn of arnica. Using it felt a little like throwing the entire holistic medicine cabinet at the problem, but one of those active ingredients seemed to have done the trick.

---

—HIGH-STRENGTH PAIN RELIEF—

Voltaren Gel

Commonly used for arthritis, Voltaren gel isn’t just your average muscle or nerve rub, it’s a medicinal painkiller like aspirin or ibuprofen, with the drug name of diclofenac. Technically, it’s a topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that’s FDA-approved to treat osteoarthritis of the joints, and commonly used by patients with IT band syndrome, plantar fasciitis, and shin splints. But it can also be used to treat muscle soreness associated with running in the same way you’d pop a few oral NSAIDs the morning after a marathon—except without the stomach distress. Just rub it into your sore muscles sparingly in situations where you’d normally take ibuprofen. But be warned: Using NSAIDs every time you experience some muscle soreness isn’t recommended—over time, it can interfere with your body’s natural repair cycle.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io