- Relaxing, scientifically-proven massage therapy for everyday pain and stress relief
Theragun Sense is designed to offer relaxing, therapeutic relief from daily aches and pains — scientifically proven to reduce stress and soreness, promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. Engineered with 12mm percussive massage therapy, it is the perfect middle-ground for those seeking effective relief that’s not too intense. - Personalized pain and stress relief made simple with on-device guided routines
Take the guesswork out of your daily treatments as the LCD screen on Theragun Sense provides visual cues to guide you through 5 of the most commonly used pain relief and breathwork routines. Plus, personalize the guided routines on your Theragun Sense for easy access, anytime — add, swap and store your favorite massage and breathwork routines from the Therabody app to help support your daily needs. - Whisper-quiet and lightweight
Theragun Sense is our quietest Theragun device. The whisper-quiet motor provides a relaxing massage experience that is free of bothersome noise, while the lightweight design makes it easy to use for prolonged periods. - Patented triangle grip to reach more of your body than other devices
Theragun Sense features our easy-to-use patented triangle grip, so you can reach anywhere on your body without help. - Get the most out of your treatments with the Therabody app
With Bluetooth connectivity to the Therabody app, learn the best way to use your device for maximum benefits and explore our library of guided pain and stress relief routines that cater to your specific needs. Control device speed, monitor massage force and get routine suggestions that show you exactly which muscle to treat, which attachment to use and how to grip your device. - Relax and de-stress with guided breathwork, visuals and sound therapy in the Therabody app
Theragun Sense helps you build daily stress-relieving habits with 3 guided breathwork routines featuring haptic vibration cues that work in tandem with TheraMind sound therapy and relaxing visualizations in the Therabody app to provide an immersive breathwork experience.
-36%
Therabody – Theragun Sense – Black
$144.00 Save:$80.00(36%)
Available in stock
Description
Additional information
| Weight | 1.57 lbs |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 7.8 × 7.8 × 2.48 in |
| Manufacturer's Warranty - Parts | 1 |
| Indicator Light(s) | Yes |
| Rechargeable Battery | Yes |
| Wireless Connectivity | Bluetooth |
| Power Source | Battery-powered |
| Color | Black |
| Product Width | 7.8 inches |
| Auto Shut-Off | No |
| Maximum Number of Percussions Per Minute | 2400 |
| Product Weight | 1.57 pounds |
| Massager Amplitude | 12 millimeters |
| App Compatible | Yes |
| Manufacturer's Warranty - Labor | 1 |
| Product Height | 2.48 inches |
| Healthcare Account Eligibility | FSA |
| Massage Modes | Percussion |
| Color Category | Black |
| Product Name | Theragun Sense |
| Product Length | 7.8 inches |
| Brand | Therabody |
| Battery Chemistry | Lithium-ion Polymer |
| Massage Area | Whole Body |
| Model Number | TG0003971-1A10 |
| Remote Control Included | No |
| UPC | 840295401959 |
Reviews (35)
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LilySue –
The Theragun Sense is a very nice sophisticated hand held massager. Mine arrived and was charged so I could turn it on immediately. It has a very nice ergonomically designed handle and it delivers a powerful vibration but you can’t increase or decrease the speed. It also comes with a nice carrying case. I have several other hand held massagers and this one is bigger & slightly heavier. The size allows me to better reach my shoulder blade area but the weight might prevent me from taking this with me when flying. It comes with a nice set of instructions as well as downloading the app. The font on the instruction cards was quite small so hard for me to read but I do appreciate written instructions. The instruction cards had illustrations with total time suggested for various areas of your body. The massager has several attachments but I was not able to remove the standard ball attachment so I couldn’t attach the different sizes. There is a dampener ball, standard ball,thumb ball and micro-point ball. There is a Biometric sensor along with guided breathing. I had trouble getting this to work and the instructions indicated that your heart rate appears on the screen
Within the app, it guides you through how to use the massager for different areas of your body and the app has more detail than the printed cards.
To charge, it uses a USB-C and the battery life is 120 minutes. It also comes with Quiet Force Solution to keep your device maintained. It took me awhile to find this small tube which was in the packet with the User Manual.
Overall, with the app and the written instructions, there seems to be too many things going on with this device. The lack of ability to adjust the speed causes me to remove a star and I keep trying to remove the balls but I haven’t figured that out yet. (It might be me vs the device.)
SimpleLiving –
Includes four attachments: a USB-C to USB-C cord for charging, a USB-C to USB Adapter, the Theragun Sense, and a carrying pouch. It does not include a wall charger (power brick), so you might have to use a charger from another device. The carrying soft cloth pouch is of a thick quality, holds all the accessories, and the zipper is easy to open/close. The Theragun design is more ergonomic than other massagers since it is shaped like a triangle and allows one to get back muscles. The device is lightweight, easy to hold, and used around the body. There is no issue with using this device across tough-to-reach muscles. The gun’s massage volume/noise (depending on the speed level) at the highest level isn’t loud—very acceptable. The multi-button control panel and an OLED screen allow you to set the desired setting for the massager without using the app.
The SENSE has three new unique features not found with the other Theragun models: a biometric sensor, guided breath-work, and the TheraMind sound. The biometric sensor is a heart rate sensor. I enjoy These new features because I frequently have difficulty falling asleep at night and after waking up in the middle of the night. These unique features (guided breath-work, biometric sensor, and the TheraMind Sound) help me bring my heart rate down to allow my body to fall asleep. For example, on one use of the product and before starting the routine, my heart rate was 81bpm, and after using the routine in the device, my heart rate went down to 74bpm. This device helps reduce my stress, makes me feel more relaxed throughout the day, and helps me fall asleep much faster. It works so well that I have 2-3 guided breath-work sessions per day and one before going to bed. The use of the Theragun SENSE is now part of my daily routine. After every session on the app, it asks if you want to save your results (heart rate) and routine. The purpose of recording these is to help guide the user through a wellness journey. The only one I saved is the sleep results, and this helps me get to sleep faster every night.
The Therabody App has a tone of Routines for the Theragun SENSE. Within each CATEGORY (18 Total) there are a number of routines, Categories are: (1)For Relaxation and Breath-work (4 routines), (2)For Walking (5 routines: Calves, Quads, Lower Back, Walk Recovery, Pre-Walk Warm-Up), (3)For Running (12 routines), (4)For Upper Body Workouts (9 routines), (5)For Lower Body Workouts (14 routines), (6)For Upper Body Pain (8 routines), (7)For Lower Body Pain (14 routines), (8)For Cycling (9 routines), (9)For Sleep and Relaxation (6 routines), (10)For Yoga and Studio Workouts (8 routines), (11)For Full Body Workouts (9 routines), (12)For Travel (6 routines), (13)For Outdoor Adventures (9 routines), (14)For Field Sports (16 routines: Golf Warm-up, Golf Recovery, Baseball Warm-up with Cody Bellinger, Soccer Warm-Up with Kevin De Bruyne, Soccer Recovery, Baseball Recovery, Lacrosse Warm-up, Lacrosse Recovery, Softball Warm-Up, Softball Recovery, Rugby Warm-Up, Rugby Recovery, Equestrian Warm-Up, Equestrian Recovery, Soccer Warm-up, and Baseball Warm-Up), (15)For Water Sports (6 routines), (16)For Courts Sports (12 routines: Handball, Padel Tennis, Volleyball, Basketball, Tennis, Pickleball) (17)For Winder Sports (9 routines), and (18)For Combat Sports (11 routines). Some routines repeat within other categories; some have video, some have motivational speakers, and all have background music.
Overall, I am satisfied with Theragun Sense. It has a tone of routines, and it is a great tool to help someone’s overall health. The unique features of the SENSE model (Biometric Sensor, Guided Breath-work, and TheraMind Sound) are my favorite and are excellent for helping relax, breath-work, and sleep.
Lorax –
I am really impressed with this Thera body unit. I have purchased other massages, including a similar percussive massage units. The build quality field and function of this unit are far superior to the others. I have tried. The unit has an excellent proprietary handle and comes with For specific attachments as well as a USB-C charger with an included USB a conversion, making it easy to charge. The instructions are excellent with a diagrams on reinforced cards. There is a small screen and joystick type control mechanism which works very well.
The addition of this sense unit is haptic feedback (vibration type motion, much more forceful than one word of experience with a smart phone). The application is excellent and provide specific grouped recovery solutions, including with the sensor unit, breathing and heartbeat exercises, which all work well, and are clearly defined with guidance in the app. The battery life seems good and the power of the unit is quite impressive and better than previous units I have tried from other vendors. The product is overall excellent and well designed and nearly all would benefit from its use including office, workers, and weekend warriors.
Ebonovic –
So close to being a solid 5 rating but just a few small things that may not matter to many, still going to round up to a 5
So let’s start with all the good:
Having previously owned cheap knock of imitations, you immediately out of the box know this device is soooo different.
Smooth, light, elegant looking. It is actually “pretty” enough that it can be on the night stand. As soon as you pick it up it is comfortable in the hand. A simple push of the on button and you go right into a quick start and feel the power of this unit
When it is running, it is near silent. You can barely hear it running even on the high settings, the “triangle” design of the handle works out so much better then the pistol style of others.
Allows you to work easily with both hands and reach just about everywhere. The included attachments are going to cover almost everyone’s needs
It is really cool to pair up with the app, and have it walk you through the session. Giving you feed back on pressure and making sure you are not under doing it and most certainly not OVER doing it. So many pre planned programs for me that is a game changer on this one as well
Now for my small nit picks:
The charging: first great choice on USB-C, awesome. And the cable is included, but…. No plug-in adapter. For myself not that big of a deal as I have a usb-c on my nightstand, but others may not. So they may not be able to charge the unit on their first day with it. For the price of this unit, it should have been included
Two things with the app: as an asap developer this one bugs me: You allow me to paste a complex password in the first field (from my generator) but not in the validation field, when I was creating my account. I know not pick, but this is going to result in people using password123
Second: when using a program, it jumps right to the next part of the body with not even a pause for a second or two for me to shift my leg or foot, and 5ish seconds are already gone
Give me an option to add a few second pause in between
Also if you can add a beep from the device when a phase is over. Sometimes I close my eyes and just need an audio clue
Accessories. I have to take them out of the bag, when putting the unit back on the bag. So everything fits. Yes a minor nit pick
As I said near perfect and if there was an option for 4.75 I would give it
Jacbo14 –
PROS
+ Compact, lightweight, and relatively quiet when operating
+ 4 massage attachments (Standard Ball, Dampener, Thumb, Micro-point)
+ Stylish rose gold accents
+ 5 percussion per minute speed settings (from 1750 to 2400)
+ Built-in screen with 5 preset therapy sessions and a choose your own quickstart setting
+ Built-in biometric sensor for heart rate monitoring
+ Haptic feedback for guided breathing exercises
+ Therabody app includes a wide range of guided warm-up, recovery, meditation, and breathing routines
+ Included TheraMind music & soundscapes for meditation sessions
CONS
– Included travel pouch doesn’t include any dedicated space for the attachments
– Biometric sensor was finicky with detecting & displaying my heart rate. It is tricky to get the grip pressure right to detect it adequately
– Breathing exercises with the Theragun can feel a bit gimmicky
SO-SO
* Percussion Therapy works better for some parts of the body than others, and won’t be for everyone
* Battery life mileage will vary depending on frequently you use it
THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT
The Theragun Sense is my first foray into percussion therapy, and so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I have owned and used many massage devices, but never something this compact and targeted at true percussion recovery, and I have to say I was very impressed! It is not hard to see why Theragun is such a household name in the percussion therapy space. The Sense is compact, lightweight, looks great, comes with several attachments that are easy to swap out, depending on what you are using the gun for, and offers a very fast speed at up to 2400 percussions per minute.
In terms of operation, there is an on-screen display and controls that let you easily select from 5 preset therapy sessions, as well as a quick start setting that lets you set your own speed and do your own routine. It would be nice if you could customize these 5 preset routines to be those which you use most often, but I couldn’t find a way to adjust them from the standards that are loaded on. Thankfully, it isn’t a big deal given the quick start mode really lets you set and do whatever you feel like depending on what type of therapy you are interested in. Beyond this however, you will need to use the Therabody app, as the vast majority of guided routines (including the meditation routines) are all located in the app.
In terms of the app, it is well laid out, and easy to get up and running. You can connect your health accounts and then get running with a pretty wide variety of percussion and mediation routines for different warm-up, recovery, and mindfulness sessions. Some of these routines, particularly the mindfulness focused ones, also include soundscapes and music called “TheraMind” which can play over your phone, or as is recommended, headphones. There are routines for different types of workouts (like swimming, strength training, cycling, yoga, etc.), although of the ones I have tried, many do end up feeling fairly similar as they often target similar muscles with similar motions. You tend to use the dampener attachment for many routines, and the other attachments can be swapped in for more specific use cases. Also with the app routines, you do get real-time feedback on ensuring the pressure you are applying is optimal, as well as ensuring the correct speed of the percussion is set correctly for the relevant exercise.
Like all Theraguns, the triangle grip makes it really easy to do all the exercises by yourself, with the requisite pressure being able to easily apply at almost any angle. It is very intuitive, and with the app guides and tutorials, you can easily get up and running in no time. I used the percussion therapy routines before and after several workouts, and did absolutely notice a positive impact, particularly with the lower-body routines. This being said, I personally found the percussion much less pleasant and effective for the upper body. It is great for legs and back, and not bad for arms and neck (although a little strange feeling at times), but for chest and abs it did feel a bit uncomfortable, at least for me. Your mileage may vary, depending on your body and how deep your muscle tissue is, as well as how much you enjoy percussion therapy. This being said, overall, as a percussion massager, the Theragun sense is a great all-arounder, with lots of features and options in a compact form. It might not be the best choice for professional athletes with much more specific needs, but it was great for me and honestly I think it would work great for 95% of folks as long as you like percussion routines.
For the mindfulness sessions and “sensing” part of the Theragun Sense, I was a bit less impressed. While not bad by any means, I don’t know how much I will end up using the Sense for mindfulness in the long-run. To do most of the exercises, you should hold the gun with a two-handed grip close to your chest, while your index finger covers the heart rate biometric sensor. You then follow the routines while music plays, and haptics throughout the gun provide cues for different breathing rates. For example, for box breathing, you get different vibration and sound cues to guide you through each phase, while the biometric sensor measures your heart rate. You also get on-screen cues in the app which you can use as well. The haptics themselves feel great, and overall the breathing routines are very effective still. Where I wonder how useful I will find this in the long-run comes down to the heart rate monitor, and general style of the mindfulness sessions. For the heart rate monitor, I found it difficult to get consistent readings. I found if I applied light pressure like the app recommended, it wouldn’t detect my heart rate, and if I applied more pressure, it would detect it more frequently (although not always), but the device would become less comfortable to hold for a full routine. Likewise, for things like sleep breathing or quick box breathing, I found the Theragun haptics didn’t add much to the experience beyond cuing when I should breathe. The TheraMind soundscapes I liked a lot, but I found myself paying too much attention to the app and haptics of the Theragun, rather than really letting my mind go during the mindfulness sessions. It simply feels a bit strange holding a percussion gun to your chest while doing breathing exercises designed to make you ease up physically and mentally. I don’t want to give the impression it is a bad experience, just that ultimately, your mileage may vary depending on how much you think the haptics help your experience. For myself, as someone who does a fair amount of meditation and breathing, I found needing to hold the gun while doing these didn’t add much to my experience, and ultimately felt unnecessary for a quality experience. That being said, it can be nice to have for beginners getting started with mindfulness sessions, and the TheraMind soundscapes were very good.
On the whole, I like my Theragun Sense as another recovery and well-being companion to use in my arsenal. I think it still works better as a percussion device than a mindfulness aid, but it is nice to see Theragun prioritizing both physical and mental wellness with one device, and perhaps as new routines are added to the app, I will find the mindfulness sessions more useful, particularly as they combine mindfulness with percussion therapy. I wish the heart rate sensor worked better, but honestly, it didn’t matter too much to me. If you have any fitness tracker that measure heart rate, that will work much better overall for tracking your vitals during the TheraMind sessions. But if you are looking for a single device for physical and mental recovery, in a nice package, with plenty of features on hand, then the Theragun Sense is a good place to start.
GeekOne –
The Theragun is ready to go right out the box! I did a quick test run on my legs and it is as advertised. It comes with 4 different attachments and each attachment has its own instructions.
The presentation itself has a therapeutic open box type experience on its own, basically the box setup alone is very nice. Very detailed with quick tips on the of the Theragun.
The instructions are very easy to follow and there is also an app to download. The Theragun comes in a nice black carrier pouch and with more detailed instructions.
Five speeds and they do not hurt. It feels good in your hands and it’s not loud. Sounds like a cat purring.
The app has a lot of routines to choose from, and make sure you register your product.
The Theragun is lite weight and it just looks nice. For me, right after walking is when I use it. It just loosens the muscles up but without the pressure of the Theragun, meaning it doesn’t hurt.
It’s very easy to hold and I do have to say that it can hold a charge. You will enjoy the Theragun. With my experience, it’s works good with after stretching.
EXWOLF –
The Theragun Sense has a lot to offer for anyone seeking muscle relaxation plus tension relief, boost recovery, better sleep, and reduce stress.
Combined with the Therabody app, I was able take full advantage of all the routines that helped my body recover after a workout or a long day of sitting in an office chair at work and get the circulation in my legs flowing better. If you don’t want to use the app, there are preprogrammed routines on the device itself that you can select through the screen and watch the guided routine directly from the Theragun. It advises you which attachment is best suited for the areas of the body that you want to focus on and lasts 2 minutes per routine maneuvering through different pressure/tension points on the body. After a quick massage to relax the body, you can move on to relax the mind through breath work exercises which you’ll want to be paired to the app for so it can track every session and provide personalized insight into based of the readings from the built in biometric heart rate sensor. This routine will also give you haptic feedback guiding you through vibration so you can mimic the vibration with inhales(deep breath) and exhale so you don’t have to guess how long of a breath or exhale to take. To take it a step further, you can use the Therabody app for sound therapy while going through your breath work routines. These are all mindfulness techniques that you can do without the Theragun Sense but when paired with it, it gave me a better experience that on a nightly basis would lead to better sleep and recovery.
Overall, the Theragun Sense is a great useful tool for me, my body, and my mental health.
Dontech –
The Theragun Sence is just wonderful.
The tool alone is great BUT the tool with the app is just perfect.
You get the tool with 4 different heads
Dampener – Reduces aches and pain for tender or sensitive areas.
Standard Ball – Use for all over body message to reduce tension.
Thumb – Use on the lower back and trigger points to ease painful knots.
Micro Point – Increase circulation and stimulate recovery.
A very nice case to store everything in
It charges with a USB C and last days of use. It has 5 programs built in by default and just a start feature.
You download the app and pair the device to the app.
In the app you have all kinds of programs from relaxation, walking, and lots others. The programs work extremely well with the device.
Two of us use this, it is so relaxing and rewarding, I had a pain in my right let every night I lay down in bed and since using the theragun sense I have not felt the pain at all. I do a bunch of programs every night including the breathing (it also monitors your heart rate, with a sensor built in the tool).
I did not know what to expect when getting the sense BUT we love it, very relaxing the therapeutic.
Techuser –
I’ve been dealing with back pain and muscle soreness for a few weeks since I start working out again. It gets hard as you get older. However, I was eager to try the Therabody Theragun Sense to see if it helped. After using it for about a week, I can say it does make a different
Noise Level (5/5):
While it’s not overwhelmingly loud, it is audible. It quite enough for me to use with my wife sleeping in the same room. My air filter is louder than the Theragun Sense.
Ease of Use (5/5):
Using the Theragun Sense with the pre-app settings was a breeze. I simply downloaded the app, connected the device via Bluetooth, and I was ready to go. The app interface is intuitive, and it guides you through selecting the right program based on your needs, whether it’s muscle recovery, pain relief, or relaxation. The app is useful if you use it. You can use it without it. There are some breathing exercises that links to the pulse reader which is a plus.
Design and Build (4.5/5)
The Theragun Sense has a sleek and ergonomic design. Its smaller that what I thought it would be. It’s lightweight, making it easy to handle, even for extended sessions. Its light but doesn’t feel cheap. The build quality feels robust, assuring me of its durability.
Battery Life (5/5):
So far I’ve used the Theragun on average for 10 to 15 mins a day for about a week its at 50%. I think that pretty good battery life.
Overall (5/5)
The Theragun Sesne is a keeper. Its effective, ease of use, and portability make it easy to use at home, in the office or traveling. The app’s pre-programmed settings make it accessible for anyone. If you’re dealing with similar discomfort, I highly recommend giving the Theragun Sense a try; it’s been a game-changer for me.
DarR –
I love the way this massager was made—it does not only let me focus on my physical pains, but it helps me work on my mental health too—something you do not get from a common massager.
What makes this Theragun great for me:
1) It seamlessly works with an app called Therabody so it works based on how I plan to use it. Example, I do get knee pains after running. I also have been getting hip pains from carrying our baby. And sometimes, I get back pains from too much work focus. Then it asks me these specifics at set up and puts them in the massager screen so it customizes it (like shortcuts) on what I usually use the massager for.
2) The app gives me tips, not just on how to use the massager post workout but also on my activities AS A WHOLE. I used to just use a massager after my calves hurt after running. In reality, self-care should not only be at the recovery stage—there are ways to be preventive of pain and to do things better. Example, there’s a guide in the app before running. So it guides me at warm-up, like what massager attachment to use at PRE-RUN so that I am better prepared for the activity. At first I thought, doing this pre-workout stuff is going to add to my usual workout time, but come to think of it, if I do not get hurt from my workout, I will have better recovery, thus have better use of my time.
3) To reiterate on the holistic approach of this massager, it even has breathing and relaxation exercises and can track my heartrate using the integrated biometric sensor. Although I do have a smartwatch that tracks my heartrate, my smartwatch does not have the guide like the app does. So now, how I am using this massager is integrated with my other pre and post workout activities with relevant tracking. Not just my physical muscles are massaged but my stress levels too.
4) Besides this massager being compact and easy to transport (with the nice bag that fits all the attachments)—the grip of the massager itself is amazing. The texture, the size of the “bars”, and the shape of the “gun” makes me easily hold and position the gun on the pain points BETTER without putting stress on my forearm. My wrist actually feels stable and relaxed while I apply the correct focus and pressure on my body parts.
Also, the screen is useful and the buttons are placed and designed well that it does not need a manual to understand how to use it. If there was one thing that I found challenging in this gun, is that, I am 45 years old, and it is quite a challenge to read small fonts. When the massager is on and I need to change the speed, the screen shakes a little too much for my eyes to see the details. So I end up just getting a feel of what’s right using the up and down buttons, versus memorizing the onscreen speed to reference what speed matches my thigh pains at the moment.
This is such a great massager, and I am really amazed at how it makes me be more holistically equipped for my activities. Warm ups and prep, breathing and relaxation, and post recovery—this Theragun has thought of it all. I definitely recommend.
WSohn –
I have an older Theragun Elite which is a bit larger and louder than the new Sense. I am surprised that Sense could pack the punch that it does. Also, just as important, it’s charged by USB C(that needs to be addressed immediately). Though I did notice that Sense can not be used while it is charging. When I first took it out of the package, I noticed how much smaller and lighter the Sense was. I had my doubts it could penetrate as well as my older Elite. After using it for about a week, I noticed I’m grabbing the Sense more often due to it being lighter and smaller AND definitely quieter. Not that the Elite was a screamer but it is louder and due to it being heavier it does hit a bit harder. My kid is always asking ‘do I have to do that while we are watching something’. So far she hasn’t said anything to me while using the Sense but only after a few side eye glances when I reached over to retrieve it. Also my wife seems more comfortable using this as it isn’t as aggressive and easier for her to handle. It definitely gets the job done. My wife so far prefers the dampener head as it doesn’t bounce as much when going over boney areas, but she also like the micro point for the forearms. After sitting in front of screens all day then coming home to chase my kid all over the place, my back and neck have been paying the price for the reckless abandon I had for my body in my younger years. Being able to massage myself effectively AND relax myself at the same time leave me calmer and gives me more patience after a long day.
I didn’t see ANY bluetooth options in the menus and I was initially confused as to how I would sync with the Therabody app. But once I selected the Sense in the list of devices it immediately connected. No pairing mode to initiate. It’s very quick to connect to my phone. It also starts and stops via the app during the guided programs or vice versa. If i hit the center button the program on the app pauses. The app is loaded with different activities that you would use the Sense both pre and post activity or workout. Purposeful breathing is key while stretching, working out, cooling down, meditating or even driving or sitting at your desk working. Having a guide to keep you on track is a thoughtful inclusion and definitely aids in taking some the edge off during a long stressful day. It’s like having a meditation coach lightly buzzing at your chest rather than a stranger talking to you in a “calming voice”.
The Sense includes 4 heads, a small travel pouch and a usb cable. The smaller size+lighter weight makes us more inclined to bring it with us on vacations (where after you’ve chasing your little children around ALL day you REALLY NEED this). All that with the ease of no pairing mode bluetooth connection AND USB C… Adds to the mind and body relaxation the Sense series is aiming for. Your sore body and exhausted, stressed out mind will thank you for it.
Scott S –
The wellness features of this model really caught my attention. I had a percussive massager before, but I found my body didn’t react as well as it did for others. I figured I’d need to find one that offered the option for less intensity, not more. That’s not quite what this offers. It’s a full-fledged Theragun, with the power to provide the same deep muscle recovery massages they’re known for. It simply has a bit more range… plus an upgraded screen, biometric heart rate sensor, and great app integrations.
Unique Features:
Breath-work routines are new here, and I enjoy them much more than I thought I would. They are fairly simplistic, but to my surprise the Sense creates great variable vibration against your chest that actually works – much like a cat purring, but with some real energy to it. It grows with subtle intensity at the top of the breath and then drops on the exhale, perfectly matching the routine’s guided visuals in the app. It’s quite effective, more-so than a more basic app-based experience might have been. At the end you get a readout of your heart rate as well, and it’s these programs where that biometric sensor comes into play. After a quick session, I actually did find myself more relaxed and less stressed.
Design & Build Quality:
Like prior models, this is extremely well built. It has some heft to it and feels very solid when in use. Theragun has always been good at keeping these quiet too, and this one is no exception. You’re much more likely to hear the soft ‘patting’ sound of the attachments working than the motor itself. What’s new is the upgraded screen and biometric heart rate sensor in the handle. It’s just as capable as before, and has a new copper color scheme that looks both fresh and professional. In the box you’ll also get a nice neoprene bag. The bag has no pockets inside, so the whole thing gets a bit too floppy/lumpy with the accessories in there (an additional pouch would have helped), but having a quality bag included is a nice and welcome addition nonetheless. If you do choose to store everything in there, the spikey attachment includes a cover to protect it while stored in this way and the charging cable has its own strap to keep it contained. In practice, I find that I just bag the tool itself and store the attachments elsewhere.
But more on that new screen – It’s a small, custom color screen with easy access to up the 5 preloaded routines on the device itself. Directional buttons around the central button lets you navigate to selections. You can choose which preloaded routines you’d like have direct access to and simply sync them from the app to the tool at any time. I definitely prefer using the app to run routines (more on that below) but this is a great way to keep your favorites close at hand and gives you the option to do other things on your phone while using the tool.
Fantastic App Integration:
Wow, the app is great now. My prior model was very simplistic and it’s amazing how night and day a good app can improve a massager like this. First and foremost is the realtime guidance you get from seeing a demonstration of each movement – this is extremely helpful. You’ll pick up on intended ways to hold the device for each, as well as the speed, angle and direction of movement around an area. My only gripe here is that I wish they were a bit higher fidelity, they look compressed and slightly less up to the polish of the rest of the app, which again, is quite good.
Next is the quick access to adjust your speed in the middle of a routine. No need to pause, you can quickly access it and get a big on-screen control to instantly make your changes.
Lastly, the music! – not sure why I appreciate this so much, but it rounds out the reasons to use the app every time. Having relaxing music that plays during a routine creates a great, almost spa-like addition. The kind of calm music you’d have when getting a professional massage. You can mute this if you don’t want to hear it.
Overall, it’s a great device. I love the app integration and guidance and the new wellness features are surprisingly well designed and useful.
——
Recap:
The Good Stuff:
– Great design and build quality
– App is fantastic for guiding proper form and speed
– Wellness features work, variable vibration is key!
– Preload up to 5 routines to the device itself
– Includes a USB-C cable with attached USB-A adapter
– Includes quality bag
Less than Good Stuff:
– Bag doesn’t hold accessories cleanly
– Heart rate sensor limited to breathwork / wellness routines.
– Would prefer options for even slower percussive speeds or ability to set a shorter stroke distance.
charliehustle77 –
This is one version of the many Theraguns that are currently on the market. This version offers the same great massage power that Theraguns are known for along with some breathing exercises and heartrate monitoring thru the app that ties into it.
Once unboxed you will find the theragun, 4 tips and soft case and a usb c cord. No block to plug it into but you probably have 20 at home already you can use. The sense offers your typical triangular design that is common with these products. Great for getting to hard to reach places on the back glutes and hamstrings. There is an integrated sensor on the display screen that shows how much pressure you are using. There is also a way to bump the speed of the massager up by pressing up or down on the control pad. Simple.
The Therabody app has a ton of different features and connects to the Sense by bluetooth. Connection was unusually quick and never dropped off. Under every catagory there are several different routines that you can run. There are running, winter sports, combat sports, pickleball, water sports and a ton more to choose from. Most of these warm up or recoveries are anywhere from 2-11 minutes. Personally I suffer from back pain and knee arthritis and when I use this device it is only on quick start and I use it way longer than 2-11 minutes. The battery holds up rather well but that’s all dependant on how fast you have it going and how much you use it.
The other options that the sense offers is breathing and heart rate monitoring. Research shows that if you can control your breathing you can reduce stress and even lower your blood pressure, just by breathing. This heart rate monitor seems to be accurate as compared to my smart watch. Using the relax breathing I was able to get my heart rate down 10 bpm from what it normally is. The sense uses vibrations and calming music as well as a sensor on the underside of the grip. I did have issues once getting it to read my heart rate but I figured out I was just gripping it too hard, the instructions plainly say not to do that.
All in all this is just another very cool device from Therabody. The incorporation of the sensing and breathing on the Sense is just what I needed in my life. We all need to work out the aches and pains in our bodies after being active and maybe we all need to just calm down, slow down and breathe a little bit too.
TechTux –
I have been in dire need of a good therapy device for my aches and pains. I am not a fan of many that is out in the market so I am very picky when selecting. I decided to try this out after reading multiple reviews of their products and features that it offered. I was going into this as a first time user of their product line. I have never used any of their products before.
Right out of the box it was very easy to use, nicely packaged and had great descriptors of each item. It did have an code to right in the front to get the software to download/install. I’ll get back to the software in a moment, the package contains a ton of accessories along with oil to keep the device lubricated. I also liked how it had a small cover case to place it in to keep it safe. The case is not that large so its difficult to keep all the attachments within it. If only the case was just a tad larger everything would easily fit.
The software is very overwhelming. I did like how there are training videos to go through on the features and usage. However trying to navigate into different sections and build a routine was overwhelming. There is too much text to read / go through. It would have been better if there were simple picture or icons to drag/select to make up the routine. On the plus side, there is a ton of information to read and go through. I love all the abilities and features the software has as long as you have time to read it all haha. At times it felt like I was reading a novel trying to learn all the abilities it does.
The hardware itself is amazing, made very well and does a great job on those pain points. I also love the breathing exercise you can go through. There is a heart reader sensor on the inside however I have not been able to get it to work. I am hoping its software related and will keep an eye out for an update. The buttons are stiff to push on but does register to turn on easily. I like the small navigation screen to help when selecting the option. This is a huge plus for me so I am not having to constantly use my phone if I just want a quick session. The charge lasts extremely long. I have been using this at moderate usage for over a week now and still have battery charge.
Overall this a great device and recommend this to anyone who is searching for a nice therapy device. It travels well, has a long charge and multiple features!
EthanH –
Massage therapy guns have been around for a while, but I’ve never really understood the impact it could have on a person’s life… until now.
In my opinion, the Theragun Sense is a complete massage and recovery tool that may remove the need to visit an actual massage therapist. I don’t say this often, but I do like how everything was packaged, so kudos to the packaging engineer.
Out of the box you get the Theragun Sense, a soft carrying case, a USB-C charging cable, three extra different types of massage tips, and manuals.
Before you even try the Theragun Sense for the first time, you will be encouraged to download the Therabody app to your smartphone. Once you download it, you can pair the Theragun to your app so you can use the timed presets routines.
You can still use the Theragun without the app for a quickstart/manual experience, but the app is actually quite useful. When using it manually, you can turn up the intensity, or lower the intensity based on which body part you’re currently focusing on. There’s even a heartbeat monitor on the interior of the handle grip.
The Therabody app offers many features. Initially you’re introduced to a six part tutorial that helps you gain a better understanding of the different attachment tips. There are other non massage gun related options as well such as sleeping, breathing, and heartbeat. There’s a “For you” tab where you can create routines for different activities or different parts of the day. You can also import your Apple health app, which is great because you can add existing data to help fine tune a routine. The app is set up in a great way to help you with your physical and mental relaxation.
Whether you enjoy are heavy duty workout, or something as simple as going for a walk, the Theragun Sense can help you both warm up before a workout, or recover and relax. I found myself using it more for a post workout recover after a shower, and also for random uses when I’m watching tv.
With the versatility of the multiple different massage tips, you can find the type that works for you based on which body part you’re relaxing. In my opinion, most of them work well, but the smallest one is the hardest in terms of density, and feels like a medieval torture device. (I kid, but it does hurt more than the others).
All in all, I’m very pleased with the Theragun Sense. The build quality is great, the materials seems grade A, and everything is just simple to use.
Gizmo –
The Theragun Sense percussion massager is different from other massagers I’ve used in the past. First, this is a percussion massager, it uses rapid and repetitive pressure and vibration therapy to massage you. A bit different from the shiatsu type massager I have in the house. The Theragun Sense takes it a step further as it includes an appt that walks you through different massage routines and even includes guided breathwork exercises to reduce stress to help with sleep.
Setup:
Setup takes no time, simply download the app, connect to your phone’s Bluetooth. In the app, you’ll have to answer a few basic questions including your wellness goals and activities. You’ll also need to add the Theragun Sense to your devices. Charge the device using the included USB-C cable and you’re ready to get started! Included are 4 different massage heads, the app will tell you which head to use. Notice the biometric scanner under the handle, where your index finger would be. The included zippered soft case is a nice touch.
Using the app:
The app has many different massage routines, there are routines for pre workout, post workout, recovery, upper body, lower body, you name it, there is a massage tutorial for you! There are even massage tutorials for someone that sits at a desk all day, as well as sleep prep routines. I was pleasantly surprised by all the different tutorials available, it’s like a Peloton app just for massages! I found this to be very helpful. With my old school massager, I would simply massage the normal body parts that ache or are sore. I would never think to use a massager to warm up or for desk relief! I like how the app shows you photos of the body part and starts a timer. The triangle shape of the Sense makes it easy to grip, no matter the muscle you are trying to reach.
Relaxation and Breathwork:
Currently there are 4 routines for relaxation and breathwork. The routine instructs you to grip the Sense with both hands, the biometric sensor will be activated to take your heartrate. Keep in mind the heartrate won’t show up while you’re in the routine, it’ll show at the end. While in this routine, your phone will play various relaxing music “Theramind”. While it’s a nice option to have and some may find it useful, I didn’t find it that useful as I have a smart watch to track my heartrate and subscribe to 2 fitness streaming services that includes meditation type workouts. Keep in mind the Sense routines only play relaxing music, there are no spoken words.
Conclusion:
The Theragun Sense itself is a great massager, it feels sturdy in my hand, the output from the massage head feels and the device itself seems well made. Combined with the Therabody app that guides you through a massage for your specific workout and you have a winning combination! While the app has an almost overwhelming amount of information, it’s laid out in a logical, easy to understand format. I thought the relaxation and breathwork aspect of it seems a bit gimmicky, hopefully it will be improved upon.
Pros:
– Guided massage routines – a game changer, perfect for those without imagination like me
– Triangle shaped handle allows for multiple ways to hold Theragun Sense
– Sturdy, well-made hardware
Cons:
– A workout called “Move and breathe with Julianne Hough” – I thought it would be a massage routine that Julianne talk through, but there was no audio, nothing to do with Julianne aside from description.
JMan –
As someone who consistently strives to improve and maintain overall wellness of both my mind and body, I was offered the Theragun Sense to review from the perspective of a wellness seeker. The Sense is the newest Theragun that adds additional wellness features to the traditional percussive therapy device.
The Sense percussive device is lighter, more ergonomic, and easier to handle than my other brand percussive massage device. The biggest problem with the other device is that the bulk and weight typically requires two people for optimal use. Size and weight aren’t an issue with the Sense. It is lightweight and ergonomic enough for me to easily use it alone on most targeted body areas. The percussive intensity of the Sense is also dialed back a little compared to my other percussive device. It doesn’t feel like a miniature jackhammer, but is still capable of getting those deep down tension knots when needed.
The Sense has an on-device LCD display which allows it to either be used stand-alone or it can also be used with the Therabody app. A huge benefit of using the app is that it allows me to connect other Bluetooth enabled Therabody devices. In addition to the Sense, I connected my Theraface device to the app which provides additional head and face wellness routines. The Therabody app has tons of brief routines that maximize value to time ratio. Most are under 5 minutes in duration and are quite effective despite their brief duration.
The Sense wellness tools include percussive, breathing, haptic, and sound therapy.
Percussive therapy utilizes four different massage therapy attachments. The attachments, combined with the associated routines, target several wellness needs such as relieving muscle knots, promoting better circulation, improving recovery from activities, relieving tension, and providing gentle massages.
Breath work routines utilize an IR sensor on the grip and haptic feedback on the device to monitor and pace both heart rate and breathing. I grab the Sense with both hands, with my index finger over the sensor, and follow the visuals in the app while haptic breathing cues and calming music help promote a state of relaxation. The breathing routines usually work reliably, but I occasionally encounter “insufficient heart rate” errors when performing the breathing routines through the app. The error means the sensor had trouble reading the pulse. It can be finicky at times.
The haptic feedback not only helps coach breathing during breath exercises, but can also gently pace heart beat with the goal of lowering heart rate to a similar bpm as the haptic rhythm.
The Sense uses the breathing, percussive, sounds, and haptic feedback features alone or combined for a wide range of health and recovery applications. Percussive therapy can be used alone for muscle tension and pain, or it can be combined with breathing routines to maximize recovery or lower stress and tension. Sounds, haptic feedback, and breathing can be combined for improved sleep and stress relief. I also use the breathing exercises along with meditation. Percussive therapy can aid breathing exercises to help relieve tension and help to relax. There are numerous helpful routines in the Therabody app that can be used with the Sense to aid recovery in just about any scenario. Need a routine for yoga recovery? Yep, it’s there. What about surfing and kayaking? Yep, they’re in there too, and many more.
The Theragun Sense is a great accessory for active or even not so active individuals. Unlike the vast majority of percussion guns, the benefits go much deeper than simply tissue massage. It helps maintain wellness of both the body and the mind. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and the app provides great step-by-step coaching for tons of uses. The inconsistent finger sensor can get annoying, but that’s my only con with this otherwise stellar wellness device.
Andrea1969 –
This Theragun Pro is more powerful and offers better ergonomics. The noise level is significantly higher. If you ultimately care for force and noise is not a concern, I suggest you make yourself a massage gun with a jigsaw – it will have all the amplitude and stall force you can handle and then some… Of course, get yourself and others around you some earplugs. But the Theragun seems to offer the perfect balance.
The 3 things that drew me to it were:
1) the 60lb stall force vs the 30lb stall of my generic unit (the 16mm vs 10mm massage depth was also a consideration)
2) the Theragun’s proprietary triangular shaped handle
3) the 2 swappable batteries, that allowed for longer sessions (and allow for charging one battery, while the other is in use)
After using this TheraGun Prime Quiet Deep Tissue Therapy Massage several times already, here are my key points:
– that triangular shaped handle (and the ability to change the angle of the arm) are THE biggest improvements, to me, ESPECIALLY for using the unit on myself.
The triangular grip, and the adjustable angle of the ‘arm’, make it much easier to find a comfortable, secure grip to use this on myself (especially on my shoulders and back, but even on my arms, thighs, pecs, calf muscles etc.), compared to the ‘T’ shape of my generic unit (and every other unit on the market).
– the 60lb stall force (and 16mm depth vs 10mm) allows me to get an even deeper massage, especially on my back. I use it while sitting in a chair/recliner and lean back into it, so the (padded) back of the recliner allows me to brace the unit to push harder and apply more pressure (and as expected, the generic unit with its 30lbs of force will stall out, where this Pro unit with its 60 lbs of force keeps going).
***IMPORTANT NOTE TO FOLKS WONDERING***
– the Bluetooth connectability and app that can be downloaded are interesting, and allow you to load 2 more settings on the unit, and a constant speed mode (that can manually be adjusted faster or slower), and a varying speed mode (that slowly varies back and forth from the slowest to fastest speed).
You need to download the app to load/program the other 2 available mode settings, otherwise, selecting those does nothing (the modes show up on the display as ‘T’, ‘I’, ‘II’, and ‘III’. Modes ‘II’ and ‘III’ aren’t pre-programmed).
Interesting to play with the app, and the various modes/sessions on the app not only have countdown timers for each bodypart/muscle group, but the app even shows you where to apply the Theragun, and gives you a recommended range of how much force/pressure to apply (and the unit itself has a sensor that indicates how hard you’re pressing/how much force you’re applying). Interesting and it may be of value to some.
– some folks complain that the unit is loud. It’s not a consideration to me. My primary concern is how well a massager works as a massager. As far as how loud, I can still have a conversation while using the massager, without having to yell, or constantly say, “WHAT?!! I didn’t catch that”. I wouldn’t use it next to someone who’s asleep, but having used various massagers over the decades, I don’t really find this one exceptionally loud. There may be units that are quieter than this one, but as mentioned my priority for a massager, is how well it works as a massager.
Is this Theragun Pro worth 3x to 4x the cost of cheaper options? That’s going to be an individual choice. For me, the triangular handle and adjustable ‘arm’ angle allowing me to find a secure, comfortable grip to effectively use it on myself, coupled with the higher stall force alone, make it worth it.
Caladbolg –
The Theragun Sense offers a robust array of modes and instructional techniques to help ease tension and stress, among a plethora of other benefits, all through its high-quality construction and an app that is both easy to use and navigate. This is substantially more than just a vibrating hand tool, a fact made apparent by its build quality and the exceptional accompanying application.
Ordinarily, I roll my eyes at having to install yet another app for a new device that seemingly wouldn’t require it. But this app is different. The initial application setup walks you through an easy, step-by-step process of inputting your preferences and areas of interest relative to your general activities, recurring pain, and other daily routines and physical characteristics. It also provides a swift method to pair your device and register it for warranty purposes. But its standout feature is the provision of a concentrated set of instructions with visual cues on the device’s embedded screen, in tandem with the application’s directions.
Utilizing the app alongside the Theragun Sense works exceptionally well. Simply scroll through to find the routine you want, and it sends it directly to your paired device, with instructions on contact points, which attachment to use, and a timer for each spot in the routine, all displayed on the screen embedded in the device. Moreover, these routines are not time-consuming. It’s remarkable how easy it is to complete one for quick relief. The provided tote also makes it incredibly easy to carry this with you wherever you go. With that said, I’ll be taking this to the office with me from now on to have at my desk for lunchtime workout recovery and also for the breathwork options.
This is a very well-made piece of equipment. The quality of the app genuinely makes it shine in ways that I have routinely seen other items falter, rendering them either less appealing or even less useful. I highly recommend this for anyone needing physical relief in the palm of their hands.
BeingHonest –
Pro:
-Quiet
-Handle allows for multiple grips and angles
-Battery life
Con:
-Heart rate sensor under utilized
The Theragun Sense comes with four attachments and a carrying bag. The attachments include the standard ball, the dampener, the thumb, and the micro-point. The gun has a triangle handle allowing for multiple grips and reaching different angles comfortably. It has a heart rate sensor on the inner side of the handle. On the back, there’s a small display controlled by directional buttons. The massager can be used on its own by using the presets in the menu, but they are limited without the app.
The percussive massaging is, to me, about the right amount of force. It’s strong enough to soften tight muscles while staying quiet. If pressed too much, the piston will stop so it may not be enough for those looking for really hard messages. The different attachments make a difference. The dampener and the standard being good for loosening tight muscles, while the thumb really pinpoints the knots.
The heart rate sensor is used for the breathing exercises. It’s a nice addition, but it feels like it’s underutilized since only a few features use it. Without the app, you can double tap it to measure your heart rate, or start a breathing exercise that’ll measure your heart rate as you take deep breaths. With the app, there’s the Heart Beat exercise which will vibrate the messenger slightly slower than your heart rate in order to slow it down. These do work, but they’re pretty much the only ones that seem to use the sensor. I was expecting to at least have the heart rate displayed while doing the exercises to see the effect.
For relaxation, the exercises do work to reduce the heart rate and calm me down. The Heart Beat routine brought down my heart rate by a bit, and the breathing exercises helped to ease the tension or help with sleep prepping. For daytime tension, it’s encouraged to do the exercises throughout the day. Besides the breathing exercises, there’s also light whole body messages to relax some of the muscle tensions.
The battery can last up to two hours, depending on how long and the strength used. Using it on and off, will last you a while.Charging is done with a USB C to USB A cable so it’s easy to charge and doesn’t need its own charging cable.
The Therabody app has guided routines for various recovery and relaxation exercises. There are ones for pre or post workouts, office tension relief, body pains, and relaxation. All of them have video guides to follow along and will show optimal pressure levels. Some, such as those for breathing, will have calming music to listen to. You can set goals and activities to get recommended routines. The app can also link with other health apps to give better recommendations according to your activities.
As a whole, this is a good massage gun. I like the triangle handle design which makes it much easier to reach around the body. The percussive force is enough for everyday needs and it’s quiet even at max speed. It’s small enough to put in a pouch and travel with. The addition of the heart rate monitor and relaxation routines are great, but they could have been utilized a bit more to get more out of it.
Ikigai –
It’s like a little powerhouse of percussion therapy that’s super easy to carry around, making it perfect for travel. Unlike those clunky, heavy massage devices, this one’s lightweight and easy to handle – you can totally use it on your own without needing someone else’s help.
PROS:
Impressive Speed: The Sense offers a whopping 2400 percussions per minute, making it super effective.
Attachments for Versatility: It comes with different attachments, so you can target specific areas and muscle groups.
User-Friendly Controls: The on-screen display and controls make it a breeze to choose your therapy session without the app. Choose from a variety of exercises types.
Therabody App Integration: It pairs up with the Therabody app, which has a bunch of guided routines that combine percussion therapy with mindfulness exercises. Use the app to save your favorite exercise routines.
Great for Lower Body: It works like a charm for lower body recovery, relieving muscle knots, improving circulation, and easing tension.
Mindfulness Features: It has cool features like haptic feedback and soothing soundscapes for relaxation and stress reduction.
Easy to use for Upper Body Discomfort: With the triangle shape handle getting the upper body areas was easier compared to other hammer shaped massage guns.
CONS:
Heart Rate Sensor Quirks: The heart rate sensor can be a bit finicky at times during mindfulness exercises. There are other devices that capture heart rate better but it was something that was a nice to have add on.
Basic Travel Pouch: Wish the pouch came with some compartments for the other parts, its not a big deal breaker but some organization would have been nice
All in all, the Theragun Sense is a versatile and handy wellness tool, whether you’re an athlete or just someone looking to relax or a perfect gift!
CrazyDogPeople –
The Theragun Sense combines the key features of a typical massage therapy Theragun with a few key wellness features that help add mind/body therapy to the Theragun experience. The main additions to the typical gun are a heartrate sensor (accessible in the handle) and haptic responses that help guide the user through breathing and heartrate exercises. In short, this provides an extra dimension for the Theragun, though in my experience it seems like the development of the mind/body experience is still lagging behind Therabody’s pre-made routines and recovery settings using the main percussive massage features. However, the massage features are likely still the main attraction for anyone looking at the Theragun sense, so the user experience with this machine is still very strong. Whether one really *needs* to get this model of the Theragun is the question one might want to think about as they compare different choices.
In short: as a massager alone, a great tool. Very effective, easy to use, good app integration. 5/5
As a mind-body tool: limited, but effective. App absolutely necessary to understand how to use the tool and get the most out of it. The app does work really well. Currently limited, though, with how much one can do in this particular area. 3.5/5
First off, I was surprised by how much I liked the massager itself. I thought this might help with some nagging problems I’ve had in my hamstrings and ankles, but I have been impressed by how much it seems to loosen up my muscles with relatively short bursts of attention. Since using it, I’ve had much less agitation in my hamstring that has been at times very painful and tight for the past two months. Now, it’s possible that a few other factors have been a part of this result (I was forced to take a few more rest days than usual while I was testing the device), but I would say I could immediately feel some relief straight out of the box. I’ve experimented with using some of the guided post-run recovery routines that the app supports, and generally I think these are helpful to me. I have also tried some of the pre-sleep routines and they seem as well to have helped calm me and contribute to better sleep. Again, this could be a placebo effect or even just a psychological-mindset related result. BUT, in the limited testing I’ve done, I’ve been keen on the effect of the massage.
That said, there are some massage routines or massage spots that are difficult to do for one reason or another—the geometry/proportions of my arms and legs for example, may make some of these routines harder to do correctly than others. As well, sometimes it seems like the settings are directing one to roll the massager over bony body areas or especially unforgiving areas. This leads to a rather uncomfortable skipping feeling on the body rather than percussive pressure. The shin routine, for example, seems tricky to get in the sweet spot. I also have some trouble with the neck placements.
The app makes all of this work better, I have to admit. I didn’t really want to have to use the app, sign in, create an account, and be tied to my phone just to use a device. I really feel uncomfortable with the collection of biometric data that using the app could allow. However, I have to say that the app makes it much easier to understand how to do some of the routines. It explains what to do for each activity with a video, timed guidance, and even live feedback showing the pressure you are applying. It will also set the speed and control the Theragun, so if you are supposed to change the head or stop and stretch, it will turn off the gun and wait for you to do the next steps, and it sets the speed properly for each part of the routine. This takes a lot of guesswork out of the device, and it really is pretty slick. These features all make it much easier to do the routines properly, with the right attachments, timing, and placements. There are routines also pre-loaded onto the gun alone, but it’s very difficult to look at the screen of the Theragun and do the routines as listed because usually the placement on the body means it’s hard to see the screen of the device. The app also provides far more options for various forms of recovery and therapy than just the on-board routines, including specific routines designed for recovery from different kinds of exercise, for connection with yoga, for pain, and for relaxation/sleep.
Mind/Body functions: The Theragun sense has special capabilities designed to help the user make a deeper mind-body connection or, at least relax. The gun comes with a heart rate sensor that is in the grip, and though it is in a spot that makes sense, it also was difficult for me to get it to work properly at first, and sometimes it still seems to struggle to give me a reading. This seems a bit odd, given that I also wear a fitness watch and it generally has no difficulty tracking my heart rate. The sensor uses an index finger, though, and if you hold the grip too tightly or a bit off, adjustment will be needed to get it to work. Once I had gotten it to work, it was a lot easier to get it to work again. This model also includes haptic feedback for the mind-body work, which means the gun will kind of purr and vibrate to give you feedback about when to breathe and whether to breathe in or out or hold your breath.
Without the app, I’ll say it’s pretty unclear how to really best use the sensor and the haptic feedback. The app helps isolate some routines for relaxation that employ the features, mostly breathing with the haptic feedback. These routines are relatively short, but they are fairly effective at allowing one to relax. The feedback and the app helps tell the user when to breathe in, when to breathe out, when to hold a breath, etc. It also times these elements and does help to make a user do a whole routine rather than just breath a few times and stop. I’d say this is where the Sense is better than the relaxation breathing that, for example, my watch will have me do. That is really quite limited in terms of time—these Theragun routines might be 2 minutes or 5 minutes, and the extended attention to breathing and relaxing does make a difference. You can also tinker with the settings, so if you need to build lung capacity you can change the timings down, or if you have capacity that needs more of a challenge, you can increase the timings.
That said, there are really only a few routines currently built into the app. For this feature to really be a selling point, and to invest in the Theragun Sense over a different model, Theragun needs to develop more routines that specifically use these features. As well, more instruction on how to use the sensors without the app might also help. I really was looking for more than just the routines listed in the “mind-body” area, and I found a “move and breathe” routine. I tried it, and I was a bit annoyed because this was a longer routine—13 steps or something—and only focused on massage. There were no breathing exercises. So I don’t know if something went wrong there, or if it was not actually developed for using with the Sense model.
As well, the routines for mind-body seem to underutilize the heart rate sensor. There is a routine that is about the heart monitor, but it just has the user hold the gun against the chest, listen to the haptic feedback (and the music in the app, which is supposed to be relaxing) and…well, that’s all. It’s supposed to be about, I think, slowing down the heart and relaxing, but I would expect the app to also direct your breathing, or suggest what to listen for in the feedback, but it does not really. And if you stop the routine early, it seems unable to give any heart rate data. It also only gives an avg heart rate at the end if you complete the full five minutes—not a sense of change or where your started and where you ended. So, this seems limited to me in what it can really tell me or help me do. As I said, I wear a fitness watch; I look at the heart rate charts and HRV charts I get frequently, especially when I am not feeling great, as was the case while I was first using the Sense.
I think Theragun can do a lot more in this area, and I hope the develop more routines and specific utilizations for these features, especially ones that can integrate the massage functions with the breathing / heart rate functions. If I’ve already given them access to my biometric data, I would like a little more out of the deal.
2leo2 –
The battery life of the massage gun is fantastic, the ergonomic handle makes for a comfortable grip, and the pressure of the device borders on the line of the professional brands. Massage guns haven’t improved much from a physical standpoint, the firmware and Bluetooth technology is proving to be an impressive improvement.
Those trying to increase muscle recovery and development would greatly benefit from the integrated app connected to the device. The Therabody app comes with an extensive library to cater to anyone’s goals for any Therabody Massage Gun within 4 generations. What’s crazy about the massage guns that are Bluetooth compatible is that you can control the device from your phone, from the intensity to the programmed timing.
Each program is designed for the user to effectively target a body part correctly to reduce risk of bruising. Specific to the bluetooth compatible devices, the app can read how much pressure is needed to relive pain or muscle tension, depending on the data you provide.
mmwp –
The Therabody- Theragun Sense has been a great addition to our household. my husband and I both do CrossFit. Both of our kids are competitive gymnasts. This means that at least one person is sore or has a knot at any given time.
The black color is very sleek and the rose gold accent make this gun look professional. the interchangeable heads are east to get on and off and store really well in the carrying case that the Theragun came with.
The app has worked really well for what we are looking for as a family. there are easy to follow instructions. the screen on the Teragun is also top notch. We have only tried the sleep and breathwork sections once, not really our thing, but totally understand how it could be helpful! the heartrate sensor is great.
I will say that when the Theragun is going full speed, it can be difficult to hit the tiny little buttons to decrease it. they are a little finicky. But all in all this is a great machine and would purchase again if it were to ever break.
erinb16 –
This is my second Theragun – I also got the Elite a few years ago, and rather enjoyed it, even though it did not have as many features at this one does.
The Sense feels like a major upgrade from the Elite in nearly every way – it looks sleeker, it is much quieter, and it incorporates programs beyond just your muscles. I am the first to admit that I don’t relax like I should – it is actually a huge problem for me. I have tried all kinds of tricks to relax, but nothing seems to stick, but I am hopeful this will be another tool in my arsenal to work on that!
Pros
+ Battery life is amazing
+ Addition of mental health features vs other models
+ Quiet yet very powerful
+ Ergonomic handle design lets you get different angles (i.e., the middle of your back!) without needing help or having to hold it awkwardly
+ Integration with app via Bluetooth allows for an expanded menu of programs and settings, including routines like sleep prep and recovery
+ When completing some of the routines/programs in the app, there is an audio track the plays from your phone
+ Integrated biometric scanner easy to use
Cons
– I had difficulty pairing it successfully with my new iPhone 15 Pro Max after previously pairing it successfully with my iPhone 12 Pro Max
– Given that they tout the mental health programs as a huge part of this device, there could be more routines/programs available on the app in this area
Geoff –
This is a very nice massage gun. The lower amplitude of 12mm combined with the less intense stall force works better for me at 60+ years of age. It is gentle on my body, perfect.
ColbyC –
Best gun they have! def worth the money! wouldnt go without it
Kiana –
Great support for releiving stress at the end of the day.
user160023 –
I purchased this as a Christmas gift, and it’s been an overwhelming success. It’s great at home, and compact enough to take on the road, too.
Walt –
Best pounder we have ever used!
Smooth, does not kill your bones or bruise you.
MariaC –
I love it, perfect size and powerful.
As a massage therapist or works excellent for my clients and myself
Dude –
Has been helping me with my soreness are long workouts. Very portable and easy to use
WilmerF –
Great product you can change the attachment on it,
BarbaraC –
My son loved his Christmas gift of the theragun! It’s making a difference with neck and upper back pain .
EHBK –
Good weight and power. Lighter than the higher end older model we used to use. Worth every penny.