Theragun Relief review: 'I swear by Therabody’s cheapest massage gun' (original) (raw)
Jump to:
- What is the Theragun Relief?
- How we test
- The GHI Theragun Relief review
- Final verdict: is the Theragun Relief worth it?
- More GHI-approved Therabody massage guns
- Why should you trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
Found in boutique gyms around the world and endorsed by pro athletes and celebrities from Cristiano Ronaldo to Maria Sharapova, Therabody is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in wellness tech.
Since launching its first device in 2016 – the G1, which is widely considered the gold standard of massage guns – the brand has released a series of premium percussive therapy tools to suit all needs, from the fully specced out PRO to the portable Mini. The only drawback? They’re at the pricier end of the spectrum.
That was until the brand launched the Theragun Relief, which comes in at £125 – that’s over £400 less than the PRO model. According to Therabody founder, Dr Jason Wersland, the goal is to make relief and recovery accessible to as many people as possible.
But how does the device compare to its counterparts? Who is it designed for? And is it actually worth buying? Our Good Housekeeping Institute experts put it to the test to find out. Before you part with your cash, here’s everything you need to know.
What is the Theragun Relief?
Therabody Theragun Relief
The Theragun Relief is an entry level massage gun designed for the average person who wants to reduce soreness, ease stiffness, boost circulation and increase mobility. It’s not for hardcore athletes or gym-goers who follow an intense training regime.
It uses a gentle level of percussion, has three speed settings to choose from, and comes with three attachments for targeted relief. There’s a standard ball head for larger muscle groups, a thumb for trigger point therapy and a dampener for targeting tender or bony areas.
The device offers fast USB-C charging, and the battery life is up to 120 minutes.
Are massage guns actually worth it? Read our comprehensive guide
How we test
Having tried a wide range of massage guns in my role as GH’s senior health & wellbeing writer, I trialled the Theragun Relief over a six-week period, using it to prime my muscles before exercise, soothe my WFH-related sore spots and help me recover after my workouts.
At the GHI, our resident fitness pro also put the device through rigorous testing, judging it on a range of factors including design, ease of use and performance.
We assessed how easy it was to get to grips with, how clear the instructions were, and how straightforward it was to use. We also considered the practicality of the design, including noise levels, battery life and portability.
Performance-wise, we checked how easily it glided over skin and muscles, as well as the effectiveness of its interchangeable heads and the impact it had on our muscles and joints after use.
The GHI Theragun Relief review
Score: 75/100
Therabody Theragun Relief
Pros
It’s easy to use
Unlike some massage guns, which are fiddly to set up and just as confusing to use, we had the Theragun Relief up and running in a matter of moments. In the box, there are clear set-up instructions, information on attaching the heads and handy step-by-step routine cards.
Best of all, there’s just one control button, making it a cinch to use, even for technophobes. You simply hold the power button down to switch the device on, press it again to cycle through the speeds and hold it down to switch it off.
The lightweight ergonomic design
Weighing 0.6kg, it’s significantly lighter than many of the massagers we’ve tested at the GHI. For comparison, the Pro Plus comes in at a hefty 1.65kg.
Thanks to its compact, featherlight design, it’s a pleasure to use for longer periods and doesn’t result in sore, achy arms. It also boasts Therabody’s patented triangular handle, which has a comfortable grip and allows you to pummel those hard-to-reach areas like the lower back, shoulders and undersides of your legs.
It comes with three attachments
Many basic devices come with just one or two attachments, but the Theragun Relief has three versatile heads: the standard ball for general tension relief, the dampener for targeting tender areas and the thumb, designed for trigger points and knots.
I love using the standard ball all over my body after the gym, and the thumb is great for soothing my stiff, sore muscles after a long stint at my desk. My partner, who has been struggling with a running injury, is also a huge fan of the dampener, saying he has noticed a big difference since using it.
The Therabody app is great for beginners
In addition to the printed cards that come with the device, you can also access a whole host of routines via the user-friendly Therabody app.
It's particularly handy for total novices, but even experienced massage gun users can benefit from the guided sessions available. You’ll find walk warm-ups, cycling recovery, work-from-home relief and even pickleball recovery!
My favourites are the running warm-ups and recovery sessions, which have helped me prepare for my workouts and ease my calf and tendon niggles after pounding the pavements.
It offers a gentle introduction to percussive therapy
The Relief is designed to offer a comfortable, soothing massage experience, not pummel your muscles into oblivion. It’s ideal for relieving tension, without causing you pain, and it feels pretty good, too. For those new to massage guns, it’s the perfect entry level device.
It’s whisper-quiet
If you want to soothe your muscles while watching the telly, then you can go right ahead with the Theragun Relief. Though not totally silent, we found the vibrations super quiet, so it didn’t interrupt our TV schedule.
It’s also ideal for taking to the gym or for a percussive therapy session on the go – you can happily massage without attracting too much attention or disturbing those around you.
Cons
It’s not for everyone
If you’re after a powerhouse machine that will penetrate deep into your muscles, then the Theragun Relief is not for you. It has an amplitude of 10mm (the higher the amplitude, the deeper the gun will pummel your muscles). For comparison, the Theragun Pro Plus has an amplitude of 16mm.
A 10mm amplitude should be more than sufficient for most, but if you’re looking to maximise athletic performance, or you want a more intense massage experience, opt for something more powerful.
It lacks a screen
The two other devices in Therabody’s latest line-up, the Pro Plus and the Sense, both come with an LCD screen and Bluetooth connectivity. This allows you to follow visually guided pre-set routines, without having to peer at your phone as you go.
As the Theragun Relief is a beginner-friendly model, it would have been nice to have this feature on the device itself, but we imagine adding a screen would hike up the price considerably. Plus, it’s easy enough to follow the tutorials via the app.
There’s no carry case included
Due to its lightweight stature, we would have liked a carry case or pouch for storing the gun and all its attachments neatly and safely when travelling. That said, I’ve placed it inside a compartment in my gym bag several times and thanks to its sturdy build, it’s remained in tip-top condition.
Final verdict: is the Theragun Relief worth it?
If it’s a quick answer you’re looking for, then it’s a “yes” from us. Compact, easy to use and effective at soothing aches and pains, the Theragun Relief offers excellent value for money.
Dedicated athletes and hardcore gymgoers should look to one of the brand’s more powerful options. But, for percussive therapy newbies and those who prefer a gentle massage, it’s a worthwhile buy for comfortable, everyday relief.
The lightweight design, ergonomic handle and selection of attachments mean you can target all manner of aches and pains and the accompanying Therabody app helps you get the most out of your massaging tool. Throw in the fact that the build is high quality, it’s supremely quiet and comes with a one-year warranty, and it’s hard to find fault.
The Theragun Relief massage gun is available to buy from Amazon, Therabody, John Lewis and Healf.
More GHI-approved Therabody massage guns
Therabody Theragun Mini 2.0
Now 23% Off
Score: 95/100
Weighing just 450g, this palm-sized device is great if you're always on the go – hook the travel case onto your bag for a mini massage any time, anywhere.
Therabody Theragun PRO 5th Gen
Now 20% Off
Score: 95/100
This professional-grade device features a high-res OLED screen for following pre-set routines, a triangular shape for stellar grip and an adjustable arm to reach awkward areas.
Therabody Theragun Sense
Now 20% Off
Score: 86/100
Along with standard percussive therapy, it boasts a biometric sensor and provides breathwork sessions to help you relax and unwind. There are four guided massage routines available via the screen.
Why should you trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
Kim Hawley is the health and wellness tester for the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she oversees testing for a range of health and wellness products, including massage guns. She has over 30 years of experience in the fitness industry, with a level 4 personal training qualification, a nutrition qualification and time spent working in leading health clubs across the UK.
We test thousands of products every year at the GHI to find the best buys on the market, from suitcases to weighted blankets. We put each product through rigorous testing, both in real-world and lab conditions, to provide unbiased reviews.
Priyankaa is our senior health and wellness writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.
Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges.
She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more.
Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills.
Kim Hawley is our health and fitness product tester. Her career in fitness has spanned over 30 years. Prior to joining the Good Housekeeping Institute, she worked as a personal trainer, writer and fitness instructor for some of London’s most prestigious health clubs, including The Harbour Club, David Lloyd and The Chelsea Club. Passionate about women’s health and fitness, especially in pre/post menopause, she is also a Level 4 PT and holds a professional nutritional qualification. Kim is responsible for rigorously testing everything from cross trainers to smart watches.