Theragun Mini review: Pricey and imperfect but still a killer massage - Yahoo Life

[massage]

I'm a 54-year-old male and I've got the aches and pains to prove it. You could blame all the pickleball I've been playing, but, um, I'm not about to stop playing pickleball. I can't keep popping ibuprofen, either, so what's left? A massage gun, natch. These magic machines can soothe sore muscles almost as well as a massage therapist, and they don't require an appointment. Therabody's Theragun lineup is all but synonymous with these tools, and the second-generation Mini promises amazing results from a compact, lightweight device. Does it deliver? Here's my Theragun Mini review.

TheraGun


PROS: Compact, lightweight and powerful; quiet operation; excellent companion app

CONS: Costs more than most mini massagers; can be awkward to hold; short battery life; AC adapter not included

VERDICT: Though it improves on its predecessor in several key ways, the pricey Theragun Mini still has a weird design, and Therabody continues to be stingy with the accessories. You'll definitely like the massage, though.

$199 at Amazon

Theragun Mini design​

The Mini has one of the most unusual designs I've seen; there's nothing "gun"-like about it. Instead, it's triangular, with a fairly wide top edge where you hold it. Therabody calls it "ergonomic," but I disagree: The top-down grip makes it difficult to reach certain areas (like over the shoulder) and forces your wrist to bend more than with a traditional angled massager (like the Ekrin Athletics Bantam). Bottom line: I don't love the design.

I appear to be in the minority with this opinion; the Mini has an impressive 4.8-star averaging rating from Amazon buyers — well over 5,000 of them. Perhaps its other benefits outweigh the occasional discomfort of gripping it? Read on.

The Theragun Mini has an unusual design, one that makes it difficult to reach some areas. (Rick Broida/Yahoo)


The device weighs a little over one pound, about on par with other small massagers. It has three speed settings and comes with three attachments: dampener, standard ball and thumb. Missing is a forked head for specifically targeting the neck, spine and Achilles. There's a zippered carrying case in the box, but it doesn't have room for all three attachments, just the one that's installed.

Theragun Mini features​

Therabody includes a small but informative printed instruction guide to help you with setup and basic operation — which is about as simple as it gets: Turn on the Mini, toggle the speed setting, use the Mini. You also have the option of pairing it with your phone; Therabody's eponymous app includes dozens of guided routines specifically for the Mini. Whether you're looking for lower-back relaxation, relief from "tech neck" or even pickleball recovery, there's a step-by-step routine for it.

I can't overstate the value this provides, because with most other massage guns, it's a lot of guesswork: What muscle groups should I target? Which attachment should I use? For how long? Therabody's routines eliminate the confusion; it's like having a physical therapist on hand to guide you.

The app can also connect to a handful of third-party apps (Apple Health, Strava, etc.) and create personalized routines for you based on their data. Then there's "freestyle" mode, which includes a speed-adjust slider with many more options than the three presets. You can also see a live "force meter" that shows how much downward pressure you're exerting, helpful to avoid overdoing it.

The Theragun Mini has just one button and three LEDs to indicate speed setting. Use the Therabody app, however, and you can venture far beyond the three presets. (Rick Broida/Yahoo)


Speaking of force, the Theragun Mini packs more of a punch than most models in its class, with an amplitude (aka stroke length) of 12mm; many competitors top out at 6-8mm. As a general rule, the higher the amplitude, the deeper the massage. Whether or not this is a good thing depends on the user; when I target calf muscles, for example, I need to use a super-light touch, otherwise it's painful. A lower-amplitude model would be fine in that instance.

Despite having such a powerful motor, the Mini is surprisingly quiet; indeed, it's among the quietest massagers I've tested. However, because of its powerful motor (and diminutive size), it has relatively short battery life: about two hours. That's hardly a deal-breaker — it's easy enough to recharge the device via USB-C — but it's definitely on the low side compared with other minis. (The aforementioned Bantam, for example, can run for up to six hours.)

Theragun Mini performance​

So what's it like to actually use the Theragun Mini? Let's just say it's helping keep me on the pickleball court. I've found that letting the app run me through various routines makes all the difference, as I'm getting a thorough and specific massage session instead of just flailing about in the dark (so to speak).

I still struggle with the grip, though, which feels awkward and uncomfortable at times and doesn't afford as much flexibility as a "gun"-style massager. But it's fine if you're mostly working on your front, or you can cajole your partner into hitting some of the harder-to-reach muscle groups.

At $199 the Mini also costs more than a lot of mini-massagers — in some cases a lot more. (For example, I'm in the midst of reviewing one priced at just $40.) There's no question it delivers serious muscle-kneading power, and I do love the companion app. I'm just not sure those aspects alone justify the high price, especially considering some of the usability issues. I suspect that if you buy the Theragun Mini, you'll like the Theragun Mini — but you can probably buy something cheaper and like it just as much.

TheraGun


Though it improves on its predecessor in several key ways, the pricey Theragun Mini still has a weird design, and Therabody continues to be stingy with the accessories. But you'll definitely like the massage.

$199 at Amazon

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