Theragun Pro Plus Review: The High-End Realm Of At-Home Massage Therapy - Forbes

[massage]

I return from a trail run sometime after dark, covered in mud, tired and defeated. Just days ago, my legs were in peak condition, their strength giving me the confidence that I could tackle an impromptu marathon. But after a series of grueling runs in the biting cold, they feel more like cinder blocks, struggling with a newfound heaviness. Stiff and sore, I pull the Theragun Pro Plus from its case, push a button and watch as the device sputters to life. Time to recover.


I’ve spent the last month using the Theragun Pro Plus when aches and pains prove unbearable. As Therabody’s newest flagship massage gun, it has a lot going for it, though it’ll cost you a flagship-worthy fee. But after testing over 14 different massage guns this year, it’s the most powerful, feature-rich model I’ve ever used.


Before we dive into this review, here’s what you need to know: The Theragun Pro Plus stands out as more than just a typical massage gun. It offers a versatile experience with features like near-infrared LED light therapy, a biometric sensor for heart rate readings and a useful LCD display. Among its many attachment heads, one includes a heating element to loosen muscles, while another (sold separately) delivers cooling therapy. And it maintains the ergonomic triangular shape to easily reach different regions of your body.

Therabody Theragun Pro Plus Features​

Cutting-Edge Tech Beyond Compare​

With a powerful 16-millimeter amplitude that penetrates deep into muscle for effective relief, the Theragun Pro Plus stands head and shoulders above the competition. Alongside vibration therapy, it uses heat therapy via three temperature levels to warm up muscles before a workout and soothe them once you’re done. Truth be told, I thought the heat attachment head would be nothing more than a gimmick, but it’s noticeably warm and wonderfully effective. Add to that the built-in near infrared LED light therapy, and this massager goes the extra mile to provide a comprehensive experience. Therabody also includes a biometric sensor for on-device heart rate readings that adds another layer of sophistication, though I didn’t find myself using this feature all too often.



The Theragun Pro Plus features a heated massage head to soothe sore muscles

Cam Vigliotta For Forbes

With all this in mind, it's worth noting that while the Pro Plus boasts a roster of cutting-edge features, not everyone will require such sophisticated functionality. For casual exercisers and weekend warriors, these add-ons are overkill, especially if your primary goal is basic recovery. The device's versatility with six attachments—dampener, standard ball, thumb, micro-point, wedge and a vibrating head (not to mention the heat attachment)—combine with a triangle grip, three speed settings and an LCD screen adds to its appeal, but all these bells and whistles may be more than what the average user needs.

A Heavyweight Model With Balanced Ergonomics​

Having tested multiple Theragun models earlier this year, I've grown accustomed to the brand’s distinctive, triangular shape that not only mitigates heft but also improves the massager’s ability to target those hard-to-reach areas of the body. The form factor of the Pro Plus provides an ergonomic grip, making it more comfortable to handle and easier to apply pressure, and while I did start to feel fatigued after using the device for 5 to 10 minutes, repositioning my grip helped a lot.



The Pro Plus' ergonomic handle makes it easy to target different areas of the body.

Cam Vigliotta For Forbes

While the Pro Plus excels in delivering a robust experience, it's worth noting that, at 3.6 pounds, this is one of the heaviest massage guns I’ve ever tested. If you're on the lookout for a compact and travel-friendly massager, this won’t be your first choice—the emphasis here is on power and versatility, making it more suitable for anyone who prioritizes a comprehensive massage and doesn’t mind the weight. If you’re looking for a travel-friendly model that’s surprisingly powerful and effective for its size, take a look at the Pro Plus’ smaller sibling, the Theragun Mini.

Other Features Of Note​

A massage gun isn't obligated to boast additional features, but having them certainly adds to the appeal. Positioned at the farthest end of Therabody’s Theragun lineup, the Pro Plus adds every last feature found on the budget-friendly Prime and the mid-range Elite. Again, I can’t help but stress that this is a one-stop-shop for every last bell and whistle you could ever want from a massage gun.



The Theragun Pro Plus comes with a unique carrying case to help you make sense of the attachment ... [+] heads.

Cam Vigliotta For Forbes

So what else is worth noting? Well, it’s to be expected at this price point, but the Pro Plus comes with a carrying case that contains a large pocket for the device itself and another pocket for head attachments. The heat attachment head also comes standard, but the cold attachment head, which I didn’t use, will run you an additional $89. The Pro Plus also syncs via Bluetooth to the Therabody app, a service that allows you to create preset speed ranges, follow guided routines and more. I don’t find the app to be all that useful because I’d rather cycle through massage speeds and features within the device itself, but if you’d like to learn how to use every last feature, the app could come in handy. At the end of the day, these features make it a more capable, versatile device compared to others I’ve tested.

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How Does The Theragun Pro Plus Compare?​

The Theragun Pro Plus shares features with other massage guns in that it delivers a thorough and powerful massage experience. But what sets it apart is its incorporation of additional features, from the heated attachment head to the built-in heart rate sensor. These add-ons distinguish the Pro Plus from other consumer massage guns currently on the market, and they position it as one of the best massage guns I’ve ever tested. You only need to stomach the sticker price, which is admittedly hard to overlook.

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How I Tested The Best Massage Guns​

In assessing the Theragun Pro Plus and the many other massage guns I’ve tested this year, I examined every facet of each device, starting from the initial setup and extending through the post-massage experience. I used every attachment head and tested these alongside the Therabody app to maximize the array of features it offers (although the decision to use the app is yours alone).



The Pro Plus' unique attachment heads make it easy to tune the experience to your needs.

Cam Vigliotta For Forbes

While testing the Pro Plus, I observed and recorded the ease with which adjustments could be made to the gun's settings and the accessibility of its many menus. However, the focal point was undeniably the massage experience itself, which prompted me to closely monitor how my body felt before, during and after each massage session.

I documented the quality of the accessories, ranging from the multi-pocketed carrying case to the various attachment heads. And I scrutinized how the Pro Plus stacked up against its counterparts, including the less expensive Theragun Elite and the more compact Theragun Mini.

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My Expertise​

As the gear editor for Forbes Vetted, my goal is to provide guidance and informative content within the health and wellness equipment and outdoor gear industries—topics I’ve been passionate about for years. I also earned a degree in kinesiology, which provided me with an extensive understanding of human anatomy and physiology, including the intricate interactions between body systems and their connection to the world around us.

While my writing explores the intersections of wellness and technology, my true passion lies in hands-on experiences with products. In the process of testing massage guns, I trained for my first ultra-marathon, and I continue to set lofty fitness goals that ask a lot of my body, which makes it easier to test and evaluate fitness products.

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