Theragun, updated
We’re now a few weeks into using this well-branded torture device and our verdict is in.
It’s good! We like it!
We're not convinced that it’s as magical as the Insta-marketing may lead us to believe, but we do feel better. Fewer knots, fewer sore spots. Recovery seems better, and lower lactic acid buildup.
It does hurt as all hell though if you use it right. This is not a gentle massage tool by any stretch of the imagination. Because you don't have to move, it's more comfortable than foamrollers or balls. We take turns inflicting this oscillating monstrosity on each other, so we don’t chicken out.
It has improved our backs and shoulders the most, followed by lower leg and hamstrings. If you use it too long though you'll feel wrecked the next morning. It is a rough machine.
At first we used the widest "head" the most. That one is a lot more comfortable than the smaller, pointier ones. We also used low speeds. We’re now only using the broad ones at low speed for warm-ups. After workouts we always use the mean narrow ones at higher speeds.
Recommended?
YesIf you have the money to burn, go for it. Otherwise we'd use golfballs, foamrollers, and such. They're slower and maybe a little less efficient overall, but they do a decent job.