The premium experience begins the moment you slide the Theragun PRO Plus out of its packaging.

Searching for a Theragun pro plus review usually happens late at night when you are staring at a $650 checkout screen wondering if this is actually about to be the breakthrough your body needs.. Or maybe it’s just another expensive gadget. I have been in that exact position.

You are doing everything right with your sleep and nutrition, yet your muscles still feel heavy, sore, knotted up and stiff. We will look at this tool as investments in your long term ability to stay strong and functional. The Theragun PRO Plus is a massive investment, and it is trying to be much more than a simple massage gun; it is trying to be a complete recovery system. Here is the real world take on whether its worth it. 

More Than Just Percussion: The "Multi Therapy" Era

With six distinct modalities, the PRO Plus is designed to be a complete recovery station rather than just a simple massager.

The first thing you realize when you pick up this device is that it has moved far beyond the single minded focus of previous generations. It’s no longer just a massage gun, it’s now a multi therapy station. While most devices are content with just vibrating, this one integrates five distinct modes into a single handle. You get the deep percussive therapy that Theragun is famous for, alongside a dedicated heated attachment, a vibration mode for sensitive areas, built in near infrared LED light, and a biometric sensor for heart rate tracking and a slew of other attachments. 

This approach TheraBody has taken is significant because it recognizes that recovery is not just about smashing a muscle until it feels loose… It is an FDA registered tool that is often HSA/FSA accepted, which means you might be able to use pretax dollars to fund your recovery kit if you have the right documentation. By stacking near infrared light with heat and percussion,you can now address blood flow, cellular health, and mechanical tension simultaneously. It is designed for the person who wants one serious tool instead of a drawer full of mediocre gadgets.

A dedicated near-infrared LED light is built directly into the handle to boost circulation while you treat deep muscle tension.

The built-in LED panel emits near-infrared light therapy simultaneously with percussion to help treat joints and boost cellular repair.

See the Theragun Pro Plus Details

The 16mm Amplitude: Why Depth Matters for Muscle Recovery

If you have ever used a cheap $50 massage gun from a big box store, you know they often feel like a surface level buzz. In fact, some  might even look similar to a Theragun, but the experience is fundamentally different because of the amplitude. This is the physical distance the head travels back and forth. The TheraBody Theragun PRO Plus maintains the brand signature 16mm amplitude. This depth ensures that the force is reaching into the deep meat of the muscle rather than just vibrating on the surface layers. 

Applying the 16mm percussive depth to larger muscle groups like the calves can help flush metabolites and reduce post-workout soreness.

This depth is also supported by the motor stall force. Stall force is the amount of pressure you can apply before the device stops. With a 60 pound stall force, you can actually dig into a tight glute or a stubborn hamstring without the motor stuttering. This mechanical depth is why so many people ask themselves if massage guns help with soreness, In a recent 2025 study, researchers found that percussion massage therapy for DOMS recovery was significantly more effective than static stretching for reducing post workout pain.

The vibration head uses three science-backed speeds: 47, 50, and 53 Hz. To treat sensitive joints and bony areas where standard percussion might be too aggressive.

Heated Attachment: Warm Relief Where You Need It Most

There is a huge psychological change that happens when you switch from using cold plastic head to the heated massage attachment. It turns a "treatment" into something that feels like a genuine reward. The attachment offers three distinct heat levels reaching up to 131 degrees Fahrenheit. When you apply this warmth to a stiff back or tired legs.., it feels like your muscles are literally melting and relaxing while you are massaging.

Beyond the way it feels, the combination of heat and percussion is deeply rooted in physiology. Adding heat to a percussive session has been shown to increase tissue temperature 13% and oxygenation 24% in just 30 seconds. This synergy makes the tissue more pliable and easier to work with. This is a massive win for anyone who finds standard massage guns to be too aggressive on a cold muscle. It allows you to ease into the depth of the massage without the initial shielding and stiffening response that your body often has to cold percussion.

What is the difference between Theragun PRO Plus and Prime Plus?

The intuitive OLED screen allows you to toggle between percussion, near-infrared LED, and heat therapy with a single thumb press.

When you are looking at the price tag, you eventually start comparing the flagship to the more affordable options like the Prime Plus. The Prime Plus is a fantastic device, but it is a much more focused tool. It lacks the built in LED light therapy and the biometric sensor found on the PRO Plus. It also features a lower stall force.. meaning it is easier to stop the motor if you are someone who likes to apply a lot of physical pressure as you use the device.

The PRO Plus includes an OLED screen that provides visually guided routines directly on the device.. whereas the Prime Plus relies on simpler LED indicators. If you are someone who wants to minimize the time you have to spend on your phone, having those routines built into the handle is a significant quality of life upgrade. When weighing your options, you might also be looking at other recovery tools and modalities..In many cases it makes sense to think about compression boots vs massage gun and which may be the more effective approach for you. While compression boots are excellent for systemic circulation, the PRO Plus offers the precision targeting that systemic tools simply cannot provide.

Shop the Theragun Pro Plus here

Is the Theragun PRO Plus cold enough?

While the device supports advanced contrast therapy, the specialized cold therapy head is a separate $99 investment.

There is a bit of a marketing trap you should be aware of regarding cold therapy. While the PRO Plus is designed to support it.., the cold attachment does not come in the box. It is a separate $89 to $99 purchase. Once you have the attachment, the device can cycle through three cold settings down to 41 degrees Fahrenheit. This then allows you to experience contrast therapy where you can switch between intense heat and targeted cold.

I will add, the cold attachment is really a static tool. It is not designed to be used with the same aggressive percussion as the other heads.. meaning, It is more about localized, controlled cooling for an area that is slightly irritated or inflamed. If you’ve already invested in cold plunges or ice baths, this might feel like an unnecessary add on,.. but for the person who needs to travel light and still wants access to targeted cold therapy, it is a clever integration and can save space.

Biometrics and Guided Breathwork: Recovery for the Nervous System

One of the most surprising features of the PRO Plus is the heart rate sensor. On the surface, it seems like a gimmick.. until you actually use it during the guided breathwork routines. The device uses haptic vibrations to tell you when to inhale and exhale. While you follow along, it monitors your heart rate in real time. For those of us who struggle to switch off after a high stakes day at the office, this can be a legitimate game changer for the nervous system.

There is a physiological power in this mind-body approach Therabody is pushing. Doing a quick search online, you will see feedback from real users experiencing a heart rate reduction of 23 beats per minute just by following the on device breathing protocols. It shifts your body from a state of "fight or flight" into a state of "rest and digest". This systemic relaxation is the same reason why people see results when using Red light therapy for lower back pain, as lowering overall stress levels often reduces the perception of physical pain. Furthermore, investigating the effects of percussion massage therapy on pain, functionality, kinesiophobia, and quality of life in individuals with non specific low back pain, has shown that these tools can significantly improve your everyday life. 

Is the Theragun Plus worth it?

Therabody’s patented triangular grip helps distribute the device's 3.6-pound weight, though long sessions can still lead to some arm fatigue.

This is the $649 question (as of today). To be honest, this device is not for everyone. It is a heavy piece of equipment weighing 3.6 pounds. If you have any issues with wrist fatigue or if you find heavy gadgets annoying to maneuver,.. you might reach for it less often than you think. There have also been concerns about long term durability. Some people mention a rattling sound or small metal flakes shedding from the device after months of use. 

The built in LED is another area where we need to be realistic. While the science of local vibration stimulation on muscle recovery and hypertrophy shows that vibration can increase muscle luminosity and blood flow.. the LED on a massage gun is only on your skin for seconds at a time. Think of the light therapy here as a "nice to have", a bonus rather than the primary reason to buy this device. It is an amazing tool when it works, but you are paying a premium for a lot of tech that requires a high level of consistency to justify.

Get your Theragun Pro Plus here

Recovery or Overkill? The Final Verdict

At the end of the day, the Theragun PRO Plus is a beast of a recovery tool. If you are someone who trains hard every single day and you are looking for a professional grade tool that can replace three other recovery gadgets,.. it is an incredible piece of engineering. The combination of 16mm depth and the heated attachment creates a recovery experience that is hard to match with any other handheld device.

BUT.. if you just want a simple way to work out a knot in your shoulder once a week, this is likely overkill. You would be better off with a simpler model. But if you value the ability to track your heart rate, use guided breathwork, and apply near infrared light all in one session, the PRO Plus is the current king of the hill. It is the kind of tool that, when compared to high end gear like you see in our Normatec 3 review, rounds out a complete home recovery setup for the truly dedicated.

FAQ: Common Questions Answered

• What is the highest rated massage gun?

  While many brands exist, Theragun is consistently rated at the top of the premium category due to its high stall force and industrial build quality.

• How often should I use Theragun PRO Plus?

  For muscle recovery, aiming for 60 to 90 seconds per muscle group is usually the sweet spot.

• Does Theragun get rid of knots?

  Yes, the 16mm amplitude is specifically designed to reach deep into the tissue to help break up the adhesions commonly referred to as knots.

• Can Theragun reduce belly fat?

  No, massage guns are designed for muscle recovery and blood flow and have no scientific backing for fat loss.

• Is it too heavy for regular use?

  At 3.6 pounds, it is significantly heavier than most competitors.

• Can I use the NIR LED through my gym clothes?

  No, near infrared light therapy requires direct skin contact to effectively penetrate the tissue.

• Is the Theragun PRO Plus covered by insurance? Because it is an FDA registered medical device, it is often eligible for purchase via HSA or FSA accounts, though you may need documentation from a provider.

Keep Exploring

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If the "muscle-melting" heat of the PRO Plus felt like a breakthrough, imagine wrapping your entire body in that same deep-tissue warmth. It is the ultimate sanctuary for those looking to sweat out stress at a cellular level.

• Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy at home

While massage guns handle mechanical tension, PEMF is the "invisible" biohack used to recharge your biological batteries and improve sleep. Explore how magnetic recovery optimizes your body at a silent, foundational level.

• Therabody theraface mask review

Therabody shrunk their recovery mastery into a medical-grade visor with 17 vibration nodes to massage away facial tension. It is the perfect tool for those who want their skin to look as recovered as their quads.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice. Always consult your qualified healthcare professional before beginning any new health, wellness or recovery regimen.