Whether you’re recovering from marathon training or trying to unkink your shoulders after hours spent hunched over a screen, percussive therapy can help. Therabody has long led the massage gun space, and its Theragun Pro Plus (sixth-generation) is the company’s most ambitious model yet. It takes the deep-tissue percussive therapy Theragun is known for and layers on heat therapy, vibration, and near-infrared LED tech for an all-in-one recovery tool. It’s part jackhammer, part spa treatment (general safety guidelines, here).
There’s even an optional cold therapy attachment. A handheld version is better—you won’t catch me dunking into a cold plunge in this lifetime.
A Personal Masseuse
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Photograph: Boutayna Chokrane
At $600, the Pro Plus is an investment, and it looks the part. The matte black casing—made from durable plastic and TPU—feels solid, the OLED screen gives it a luxurious edge, and the triangular multi-grip design helps distribute weight to reduce wrist strain. Still, at 3.63 pounds (without attachments), it’s the heaviest Theragun yet. Holding it overhead for long periods will feel like a workout in itself.
The OLED screen features a force meter so you can see exactly how much pressure you’re applying. I enjoyed this feature because it felt like a delicate nudge for me to apply more pressure. This can also be useful for others who might go way too hard.
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Photograph: Boutayna Chokrane
The Pro Plus comes with seven attachments: the standard five (Dampener, Standard Ball, Thumb, Micro-Point, and Wedge), plus two specialized heads for percussive heat and vibration therapy. The heated attachment has three temperature settings (113°F, 122°F, 131°F). It doesn’t get as hot as a heating pad, but when paired with percussion, it feels spa-like.
I started using it pre-workout on my quads, and it made a noticeable difference in how stiff I felt going into a spin class. The Pro Plus is also compatible with Therabody’s cold therapy attachment, but for $89 extra, it feels like an upsell. After testing it, I’d also say it’s not essential unless you’re a fan of contrast therapy.
What Are the Different Attachments Used For?
- Dampener: Use on tender muscles or bony areas.
- Standard Ball: For full-body massage to reduce tension.
- Thumb: For trigger points and the lower back to alleviate knots.
- Micro-Point: For increased stimulation and circulation.
- Wedge: For shoulder blades, IT bands, scraping, and flushing.
- Percussive Heat: Loosen up stiff muscles and accelerate recovery.
- Vibration: Use on muscles and joints for pain, circulation, and sensitive treatments.
- Cold Therapy (sold separately): Reduces pain, swelling and inflammation.
How Do I Clean My Theragun?
According to Therabody’s website, only use a Magic Eraser or damp cloth to wipe your device. This also applies for most of the attachments, except for the Supersoft (not compatible with the Pro Plus).
Recovery or Overkill?
When it comes to power, the Pro Plus delivers. Its 16-millimeter amplitude and five-speed settings (1,750-2,400 RPM) make it one of the most intense massages on the market. The redesigned EQ-150 brushless motor is also 20 percent quieter than the previous generation, which is a nice improvement. It’s not silent but should not be bothersome if you have housemates or pets. Battery life varies based on the features you use, but it’s around 150 minutes with standard settings.
That said, some of the features can feel extra. For instance, Therabody touts its near-infrared LED therapy as a recovery booster that increases blood flow and reduces muscle soreness. A company study backs this up, but in daily use, the effects are difficult to notice unless you’re recovering from an injury. There’s also a built-in biometric sensor for heart rate tracking, but in practice, it didn’t add much to my experience, and I rarely used it.
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Photograph: Boutayna Chokrane