Theragun Prime 4th Generation review – does it support Therabody app?

Does it have app to monitor activities? With a 16-millimeter amplitude and 30 pounds of stall force, it’s more powerful than the mini and provides enough percussive power for the everyday workout. Connects to the Therabody app via Bluetooth to run personalized wellness routines based on your behaviors & preferences. Know about more benefits in Theragun Prime 4th Generation review.

In the box

The box includes a Theragun Prime, black velvet travel pouch, power adapter, and four attachments: dampener, standard ball, thumb and cone. There’s a black envelope containing a welcome card, brand story, sticker, user guide, warnings and warranty.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Good battery life
• Five speeds
• Bluetooth & Therabody app
• Ergonomic grip
• High Amplitude
• Build quality

Cons

• Low stall force
• No case included
• Limited head selection

Specs – Theragun Prime 4th Generation

• Max. Stall Force 30 lbs.
• Stroke Length 16 mm
• PPM: 1,750 to 2,400
• Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Battery Life 2 hours (Non-removeable)
• Weight 2.2 lbs
• Amplitude: 16mm
• Battery life: 2 hours
• Size 8.9 in x 6.3 in x 2.7 in (22.5 cm x 16 cm x 7.3 cm)
• Noise 65-69 dB
• Speed options 5 speeds, unlimited with Therabody app.
• Number of Attachments 4
• 5 preset speeds with optional app control
• Bluetooth connectivity
• App guided treatment presets
• Improves mobility and flexibility

Price and availability

The Therabody Theragun Prime costs $299 from Therabody in the US, £275 in the UK, and AU$499 in Australia. It can also be found via Amazon in the same locations.

Theragun Prime is in their fourth generation of Theragun devices. It’s the most affordable of their full-sized guns, going for $299 (at recoveryforathletes.com), compared to the Elite at $399 and the powerful Pro that costs $599.

Compare Theragun Prime 4th Generation vs Theragun Elite vs Theragun PRO

Theragun Prime 4th Generation review

Build

The unit has a steel rod protruding out of the massage barrel and to fix heads to this you simply line up the slot in the attachment and press it firmly down over two compressible ball bearings. 

It’s made of plastic. At least a huge chunk of it is plastic. We would’ve loved at least a rubberized handle but maybe we’ll have to look elsewhere for now. It’s matte black. A mix of colors would’ve made things a bit interesting,

Design

The triangular shaped device is designed to have an ergonomic grip so you can hold the device in different ways.

Lightweight

At 2.2 pounds, it weighs the same as the Elite, so based on our experience with that model (see below), the Prime should be quite easy to move around to hit all parts of your body without straining your arm, hand or wrist.

Control

The free Therabody app (available on Android and iOS) unlocks the device’s full gamut of features. After you create an account and pair the Theragun to your smartphone using Bluetooth, you’ll be greeted by different sections that have relevant routines within them.

Apart from sections for hardcore fitness addicts (like Workout Recovery and Studio Warm-Up), I was glad to see sections on Wellness, Ailments and Lifestyle with relevant routines. Selecting a routine tells you the total routine time, which body areas it’ll cover, and which attachment you need to use.

The Sleep routine within the Wellness section, for example, is 12 minutes long and covers the whole body using the Dampener attachment. It’s a perfect way to relax your muscles before winding down for bed.

Heads & attachment

The Standard Ball is a great all-rounder, which can be used for more general massage work. The Thumb tool, meanwhile, is aimed at letting you home in on precise areas using trigger point therapy. Similarly, the Cone attachment can be called upon to handle any pinpoint muscle treatment needs you may have.

The Prime comes with 4 attachments that we must admit are rather unique – we’ll say Theragun unique.

• The Dampener: It’s the tender attachment specifically designed to work on tender and bony areas. It’s also perfect for when you want a general massage.
• The Standard Ball: This one Theragun designed to work on your whole body. It will work better on large muscle groups compared to the dampener.
• The Thumb: This is a specially designed attachment meant to work the trigger points and the lower back.
• The Cone: It’s the equivalent of the bullet point that’s found on many non-theragun percussion massagers. It’s used for pinpoint muscle treatment. You can use it on both hands and feet.

Speed & Percussion

It has five built-in speed ranges starting from 1,750 percussions per minute (PPM) up to 2,400 PPM. The “percussion” part of the device makes the head “punch” the skin so it feels more intense and it’s said to hit muscles deeper than a vibration massage therapy device which doesn’t have that “drilling” effect with the massage head. 

Battery & Charge

A fully charged Theragun Prime will last up to two hours.  I used the massage gun a few times a week, about 5 to 7 minutes or so at a time and I didn’t need to charge it again for about 45 days.

Noise

Theragun claims this gun is 70% quieter than earlier models, but we did find it a bit noisy nonetheless. That said; this is really the only minor negative we can think of when it comes to the Theragun Prime. It’s therefore easy to see why Therabody is the brand of choice for many individuals looking for effective muscle and massage relief.

Theragun Prime 4th Generation Apps

The app guides you through your workout in real time, showing how long to spend on each area along with how to apply the massage using colorful graphics.

The app not only stops you doing things wrong, it also illustrates just how easy it is to get things right. In our case, with a little bit of guidance from the app, and after specifying the ankle area as a location of particular need, we found that the gun was able to help with muscle relief by targeting that specific area. The great thing about all this is that you can adapt it to suit changing needs or, of course, create another profile and have the Theragun do the same for someone else. The gun speed can also be controlled using the app, which in some ways works better than using the physical buttons on its handle.

Theragun Prime 4th Generation Performance reviews

I found that using the Prime on my low back, glutes and thighs felt good and more pain-relieving than smaller muscles like my forearms, hands, and even neck area. I tried it as a “warm-up” before a few bike rides but didn’t notice any difference in how I felt during the workout. I used the Theragun Prime after bicycling workouts and walking and found that while it felt good, it didn’t make much of a difference in my recovery.

You can “save” programs to go back to quickly later and even sync Therabody with health apps like the Apple Health app and Strava app to get routines recommended for you based on your workouts and daily activities.

I liked the variety of routines and guided sessions with timed “steps” that showed you which attachment to use, where to place the device, how to hold the Prime, and the benefits of each routine. The “work from home” session says it’s designed to get blood flowing in your forearms, traps, lower back and calves. 

Theragun Prime 4th Generation customer review

Soooooothing

Let me start by saying that this is the first home therapy device I’ve ever owned and it could not have come at a better time. I used to treat myself to a massage now and then, but since everything is closed currently because of Covid, having one of these in my home right now is essential. I have a physically demanding job and I try to exercise often. The Theragun Prime is very easy to use and the free downloadable app guides you every step of the way. The app has a plethora of activities and guided therapy tutorials and presets for you to choose from and explore.. Got lower back pain? or want to wind down and release some tension before sleep?

The app has you covered. The app will set a timer and you can quickly adjust the speed within the app. It provides helpful directions with photos of where to pass the machine along your body.You can even save a daily routine from the start of your day til you’re ready for bed. I downloaded the app on my iPhone and connecting the device via bluetooth is simple and quick. The app will find and pair the device for you automatically. The design of the theragun is genius and handles well whether you’re a lefty or right handed. I do find that I have to juggle it a little still for working on my back and lower back but the rest of my body is easy to reach with this.

I just get someone to help me with the harder to reach areas. I’m 6 foot tall and not the most flexible person lol. Your mileage may vary. This particular model comes with 4 attachments. A dampener, a “thumb” , a ball, and a cone. It also comes with a charging cord. Battery life is excellent.This is the very first theragun I’ve ever owned so I can’t comment on whether it is quieter than previous models. I don’t find the machine to be too loud, the hum is somewhat relaxing for me but it is quite strong and makes me feel like the whole room is vibrating lol. Personally I find the full speed setting to be a bit much, I have to turn down the speed a little when doing my upper back or neck and shoulders.

It made my teeth rattle when i pressed it on the side and back of my neck while standing up. I personally decided to shove a rag between my teeth to bite on while massaging my neck and shoulders so I don’t clank my teeth together too much. Laying in a prone position on the bed helps damper the vibrations also. Would I recommend this to a friend? YES. Now more than ever.

Will it replace a professional masseuse ? Probably not.But being able to massage and soothe myself at home or on the go whenever I am achy or sore has been awesome. Whether you work in an office, are an athlete or just want to live a healthy lifestyle and maintain your muscles, bones and ligaments. I think you will find this therapy gun to be a great investment.

By Ponskippa at Best Buy

Theragun Prime 4th Generation alternative

Theragun Pro

Therabody’s Theraguns are considered the gold standard in percussive therapy, so its most luxurious, feature-rich muscle gun model must be one of the best, right? 

The Theragun Pro G4 is, first and foremost, much quieter than its former iteration. Loudness has been a chief complaint of Theragun buyers since the company’s early days, and the brand finally made a move to remedy that. 

In all truth, I have to say yes. Having tested more than 20 massage guns, including three other Theraguns, the Theragun Pro is pretty dang impressive — especially compared to the previous line of Therabody massage guns. (The Theragun G3, a similar percussion massager version, was previously on this list.

With up to 60 pounds of force, a rotating arm and ergonomic handle, a deep reach of 16mm into your muscle tissue, and speeds up to 2,400 repetitions per minute, the Theragun Pro is built for those who need legitimate percussive therapy multiple times per week. In short, this percussion massager is the real deal, but it’s probably not worth it for the average exerciser. 

I’m not saying the Pro G4 is silent — the noise level is still louder than most other massage guns — but it doesn’t rattle my brain like the G3 did, thanks to Theragun’s new QuietForce Technology. If you’re an athlete or serious exerciser who can deal with a massage device that sounds like a muted turkey carver (and you’re willing to pay top dollar for percussive therapy at your fingertips), the Theragun Pro G4 is a great choice for you. 

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