One minute review
Billed as a "smart percussion therapy device," the Therabody Theragun Prime is a step up from the myriad of other massage guns on the market. It is a complete solution that includes the innovative design of the gun with its own triangular grip, as well as 4 precision massage heads. The device has 5 speeds with factors increased by the compatible Therabody app. This brings additional features and functionality to the party and integrates with Apple Health and Google Fit to boot. Performance is also impressive at XNUMXmm wide, which means it has the potential to deliver a more intense massage and therapy experience than many contenders. With XNUMX minutes of runtime from the proposed brushless motor, the Therabody Theragun Prime is easily one of the best in its class.
(Image credit: Rob Clymo)
Prices and availability
Therabody Theragun Prime costs €XNUMX at Therabody in the US, €XNUMX in the UK and AU €XNUMX in Australia. It can also be found through Amazon in the same locations. It's pretty much the same as a mid-range massage gun, and it's about the same price as the Hydragun (although this device lacks Bluetooth connectivity and the Theragun smartphone app).
Integrated
Therabody is one of the most essential names in the massage therapy market and there is something for every need in their extensive portfolio of products. This model, the Theragun Prime, is immediately identifiable as a Therabody device due to its distinctive triangular styling that makes it look serious. It's on the lower end of the Therabody's price range, just above the mini portable model, but it's still a more affordable alternative to the Elite and Pro models. In fact, in terms of looks, it shares the same design philosophy as the Elite or Pro and is equally well put together.
(Image credit: Rob Clymo) Opening the box reveals how well developed and manufactured this massage therapy gun is. Of course it doesn't come with a zippered carry bag like many of the other models we've reviewed of late, but there is a soft canvas bag to store your Theragun in if you decide to ditch the case and you'll keep it. other accessories included. There isn't much else: 4 matching heads, a power cable and an adapter, apart from a compilation of mini manuals and other materials complete the content. The Therabody Theragun Prime's 4 attachments mean you can meet most stress reduction and massage needs, but you can still purchase more from Therabody if you need to. There is a shock absorber, which can be used for painful and sensitive areas, such as near bones.
(Image credit: Rob Clymo) The standard ball is a huge all-rounder, which can be used for more general massage work. The Thumb tool, on the other hand, is meant to let you focus on specific areas using trigger point therapy. Similarly, the cone attachment can be used to meet any specific muscle treatment needs you may have. Perhaps the most amazing aspect of the gun's design is the way it positions the massage heads. The unit has a steel rod protruding from the massage tube and to attach the heads to it you just need to align the slot in the attachment and press it firmly into 2 compressible ball bearings. This has the effect of locking the massage head in place, preventing it from flying off mid-massage, which can happen with some cheap and not so cheap interlocking models of the Marlet. We have been truly impressed with their performance thus far. To remove a head, simply reverse the procedure.
Therabody Theragun Prime is a smart percussion therapy device and this is because performance can be enhanced with the help of its companion app. Although you can still use Theragun Prime on its own, it's actually a great idea to get the app, which works on both iOS and Android devices, as you'll be able to take full advantage of its capabilities. In fact, getting the app couldn't be easier, as there's a QR code to scan among the documents, so you can be up and running in a matter of minutes. First, you need to create an account and pair the device with your phone via Bluetooth. Once you have that on your site, you'll really start to understand why the app is such a key part of owning a Theragun device. The company has done a good job with the software, explaining everything you need to know about the gun and offering a small mountain of advice on how to get the most out of it.
(Image credit: Rob Clymo) New users can choose from a variety of helpful options and create a customized massage therapy plan. Going down this path lets you create massage sessions tailored to particular issues, and the app guides you through its coaching in real time, showing you how much time you need to spend. in each and every area and how to apply the massage through colorful graphics. The app not only prevents you from doing the wrong things, but also illustrates how simple it is to do the right things. In our case, with some guidance from the app, and after detailing the ankle area as a special need location, we found that the pistol could help calm the muscles when targeting that particular area. The benefit of all of this is that you can tailor it to your changing needs or, of course, create another profile and have Theragun do the same for someone else. The speed of the gun can also be monitored using the app, which in some ways works better than using the physical buttons on its grip. It should be noted that Theragun Prime is one of the most powerful massage guns on the market, and its highest settings are quite powerful. Again, if you follow the tips the app offers, you'll find it much easier to channel this energy and get the gun to do the right things when massaging.
(Image credit: Rob Clymo) With its power in mind, we were impressed with the Theragun Prime's lifespan between charges. Therabody claims he can expect around XNUMX minutes of battery life from the gun and we see no reason not to agree with that. Charging is done via the supplied power cord and adapter, though he can't use the gun while it's plugged in. After a few sessions with the device, he really starts to get a feel for the best way to hold it; the triangular design works much better than more traditional style models in this regard.
(Image credit: Rob Clymo) The massage is great largely thanks to the XNUMXmm width. It sure is powerful, but the general feeling you get is that this is a machine that has been developed and built by people who know exactly how to get to the right place. Theragun claims this pistol is XNUMX% stealthier than previous models, but we still found it a bit loud. Said that; This is really the only minor negative aspect that we can think about when it comes to Theragun Prime. Therefore, it is easy to see why Therabody is the brand of choice for many people seeking effective massage and muscle relief.
(Image credit: Rob Clymo)
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