Theragun Pro review: A professional-grade massage gun

Most days, I'm sore. I'm a big bloke shifting a big frame around and that's a major part of the problem. But I'm also very active. Between the three kids, several sports, the gym and handyman work around the house, it's not unusual for me to ask (beg?) my wife every other night for a massage. For relief.

Even just writing at the computer all day can be enough to send my neck and shoulders into annoyed spasms. (Maybe I should ask for hazard pay?)

In truth, I should have been regularly attending physios and massage therapists for years, but unable to afford that ongoing cost, I – like you – have begun looking into massage guns.

The Theragun Pro is a premium expense. When we compared it with other massage guns on the market, it rang the loudest ding at the cash register. Needless to say, I was expecting big things and clear results when I opened its very expensive-looking box and brought the beast out from within. After using it for several weeks, it's time for Finder's Theragun Pro G4 review.

Theragun Pro massage experience

Massage

• 16mm rotation distance is great
• Precise speed control
• Must be used properly but delivers fantastic results

• Read more about the Theragun's massage experience

  If you haven't used a massage gun before, you may very well get the shock of your life when you first let the Theragun Pro pound into your flesh. This is a powerful device that does not take a backward step. The head moves up and back over a range of 16mm, which is more than its competitors and one of its strongest selling points. But you need to use it properly.

  Push it into your flesh anything less than 16mm and it will get clear air on the pull-back and then effectively slap you – slap you 40 times a second. Run it over bone and you'll know about it instantly. Instead, you need to really hold the Theragun Pro down into a muscle so all 16mm is in the flesh. This is the sweet spot as a percussive massage gun because instead of slapping at your skin, it's kneading what lies beneath.

  By percussive massage gun, I refer to the Theragun Pro's desire to repeatedly beat into your deep muscles. For untangling knots and getting into troublesome pains, it's your best option. The alternative is a vibration massage gun, which wants to sit near the surface of your skin and simply relax you.

  It's an important distinction; I'm all about the percussive.

  But it was too much for my wife even at the lower of the five quick jump speed settings (more on that in a tick). I'm not suggesting this is a male/female thing, only that if you are sensitive to a strong massage, the Theragun Pro may not be for you.

  Thankfully the gun comes with six attachments, one of which has a soft foam top that greatly reduces the impact, providing a vibration-massage-like experience. With this attached it became bearable for her, so the Theragun Pro isn't without some flexibility.

  But back to me. I'm a huge fan of the Theragun Pro's massage experience. It doesn't relent no matter how much force you use; it's powerful enough to keep plugging away. You can really feel it working its magic and as soon as you stop, the sense of muscle relief is impossible to miss. The other five attachments give you more precise options for reaching deeper muscles, or muscles close to the bone.

What's the user interface and app like?

UI

• Five preset speeds on the gun
• Three preset modes on device
• A force reading displays on the LED screen
• Dial interface isn't that great
• The companion app is very handy

• Read more about the Theragun Pro's user interface

  The fourth generation Theragun Pro – which has avoided following its predecessors' nomenclature of adding a G4 to its title – comes with a little LED screen on its top. This gives real-time feedback to the user on the amount of force being applied, which mode or preset you're on, and what speed the head is moving at.

  The screen is a step up from the G3 and while the force reading is a useful addition, it's also hard to see it when the thing is vibrating like crazy. I also found the buttons just beneath it finicky to press. For the most part you just need to turn it on and off, so it's not a big deal. But buttons with a more distinct "hey, I've been pressed" mechanical click would have been better.

  Thankfully, this is the "smartest massage gun on the market!" There is a companion Therabody app and it's really handy when you're just getting started. The process of syncing it with your Theragun Pro is very simple, and once engaged, you can operate the device through your phone. There are guides on how to use the Theragun Pro and preset routines you can activate to best suit your needs.

  In addition, you can have full control over the Theragun's speed, finding the perfect spot in a 650-point range. And the phone graphs in real time the force you're applying, teaching you the exact sweet spot for each routine to maximise your effectiveness. You can also sync that data with existing health apps on your phone if you're into tracking your entire health picture.

  In many devices like this, the app can be a throwaway addition of little use. But here it's done well, organically connecting to and improving your use of the Theragun.

The Theragun Pro's sturdy design

Design

• As robust and solid as a power tool
• Rotating arm allows you to find the right angle
• Battery system is impressive
• Buttons a little weak
• It's heavy at 1.3kg

• Read more about the Theragun Pro's design

  The Theragun Pro massage gun is an expensive product and it certainly feels that way as soon as you hold it in your hand. The soft, rounded edges and ergonomic grip may have a therapeutic appeal, but the weight and sturdiness of the build can't hide that this is a serious piece of machinery.

  In a good way!

  In fact, it's very much like holding a high-end power tool. The Theragun Pro is heavier than you might expect, but well-balanced. The battery pack even slots in and out with the press of an ejector button, just like the high-end gear you might find on a building site.

  The arm itself can be rotated between four points in an arc of roughly 45-degrees. Again, it's very sturdy and it's hard to imagine what level of hostility you'd need to throw at the Theragun to break it. Being lazy, I like to get my long-suffering wife to use the gun on my aches and pains. However, with the flexibility provided by this arm, you can find a way to get to most places yourself.

  Likewise, the attachments come off and on easily, while never giving you the feeling like they may go flying across the room. The ease of removal also gives you no excuse not to clean them every now and again.

  The LED screen is a nice touch and helps give the Theragun Pro a bit of the prestige its price tag demands, but as mentioned previously, I'm not overly impressed by the buttons below it. They're too utilitarian and potentially a spot for improvement in the inevitable G5.

Looking at the Theragun Pro's performance

Performance

• Two batteries included, offering 300 minutes of run time
• Beats 40 times per second
• 1,750-2,400ppm speed range
• QuietForce Technology QX150 engine
• 60 pounds of no-stall force

• Read more about the Theragun Pro's performance

  You no doubt have already got the impression that the Theragun Pro matches its price tag in terms of its performance. It's a quality build. When you see it running and delivering 60 pounds of force, 40 times per second, for 150 minutes per battery charge, it's hard not to be impressed.

  Toggling the speed up and down is tangible, too, with the engine responding in kind to really allow you to experiment with what works best for your body. That range of 1,750 to 2,500 percussions per minute (ppm) feels about right. I found myself happily sitting around the 2,100 mark for the most part.

  Theragun has made a big song and dance about its new engine, the QX150, and trumpets its QuietForce Technology. As a result, the Theragun Pro G4 is 55% quieter than the G3, even if it's still slightly louder than the average massage gun.

  I wasn't put off by the sound. In fact, I've whipped out the Theragun Pro at dinner parties and watched the minds of my friends blow as they experience it for the first time without drowning out the general conversation. It's fair to say it's too loud to use and watch TV at the same time, but not loud enough that the kids will be lying in bed thinking, "geez, mum and dad are really going for it tonight".

Where to buy the Theragun Pro

Theragun does have an Australian presence, so you can purchase the fourth generation Theragun Pro from its site directly. There's also a (unnecessary) Pro Wireless Charging Stand accessory for a steep $129 if you want to go all out. You can also pick up the gun at Amazon or at Bing Lee. Just note if you going looking through smaller retailers online or for anything second hand that the Theragun Pro G3 comes in a black box, and the newer fourth generation comes in a white box.

What's the difference between the Theragun massage gun models?

If you like the sound of the Theragun approach to massage guns but can't afford the Pro model, there are a number of lower tier options you can experience. They're still really good, offering the same speeds, 16mm depth and app support. What you lose is the 60 pounds of force (dropping to 40 on the second-best model), the new engine and the rotatable arm. There aren't as many attachments or batteries in the box, either.

Verdict: Is the Theragun Pro worth it?

The Theragun is an investment, there's no two ways about it. With a recommended retail price of $899, it's at the very highest end of the massage gun market. But it justifies its price tag, right down to the luxury, padded carry case that comes in the box. The Theragun Pro is powerful yet quiet, robust but flexible, very user-friendly and, above all, effective.

It's not for the fainthearted. If your idea of a massage is smelly flowers, oil and some Thievery Corporation lulling the butterflies to sleep, you'll likely find the Theragun too aggressive for your needs. But for someone like me – someone who rarely goes a waking moment without some deep ache forming in an even deeper muscle – it's relief incarnate.

The Theragun Pro has quickly become something of a saviour in my home and I know from the way it's been built, it will be for many years to come.

What is the Theragun Pro (RED) initiative?

You may come across four Therabody products with a (RED) in the name. This refers to the company's RECOVE(RED) campaign, which is a charity project. Teaming up with (RED), Therabody's goal is to raise funds for not only the global COVID-19 response, but to fight AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. With every purchase, 2% of the price goes towards the battle against these two pandemics.

As you may have guessed, the campaign sees the Therabody products, including the Theragun Pro, reimagined with a striking red aesthetic that we really love. The Theragun Elite, Theragun Mini and TheraOne models also carry a new (RED) look.