I’m a fitness enthusiast who works out 4-5 times a week and it is important for me to warm my muscles before engaging in my routines. Moreover, I’m no stranger to soreness after an intense workout. Theragun claims to efficiently solve these issues. Therefore, when Best Buy Canada reached out and ask me to write a review of these products, I happily accepted. Read on to learn about my experiences with the Theragun G3, the Theragun Liv, and the Theragun G3 Pro.
Theragun G3 Premium Handheld Percussive Massage Device
The first thing I noticed when I opened the box was the convenient hard-shell case, which contains the white Theragun G3 and all of its black accessories. The standard zippered case ensures that the contents stay in place while travelling or just for convenient storage. After unzipping the case, I found a handwritten note from the creator of Theragun, explaining his story about creating the device to help him recover from a motorcycle injury. This was a nice personalized touch! One side of the case reveals the Theragun secure in a molded shell; the other half securely holds the charger and three unique attachments for the device under a mesh net. These attachments are shaped like a cone, a thumb, and a large circle. The 4th attachment, which is big and circular, is pre-installed onto the Theragun.
To change attachments, simply pull it off. To reconnect, line up the tip of the attachment and it connects to the gun. Lastly, there is an instruction manual included in the case that explains how to use the device and each attachment. Note, there is also a free app available (from App Store or Google Play) that provides a much more in-depth explanation of how to use the device and the attachments.
Include in the box:
- Hard shell travel case
- 1 x Theragun (2 speeds, 1750 RPM and 2400 RPM, 40 lbs of force)
- 4 x Attachments (1 x dampener, 1 x cone, 1 x thumb, 1 x standard ball)
- 1 x Batter Charger
- 1 x User Manual
The App
Once installed, there is a quick sign-up process that requires your name and email address to unlock the interactive app. You’ll then see images that are captioned with the area of your body or issue that you’d like the Theragun to tackle. For example, you’ll find lower back, feet, knots, cramps, sleep, jet lag—okay I think you get my drift now. After you click the image, the app presents instructions, including the duration required to sweep the device over the specific area that needs treatment. In addition, it tells you the optimal attachment for getting the best results. I chose “Leg Day” because I wanted to warm up the muscles before my evening sprints on the treadmill. It instructed me to use the “dampener” attachment, which is the largest piece.
Percussive Therapy Unit At Work
The time finally arose to put this product to the test. The triangular shape of the equipment allows you to easily grip it in a variety of ways and orientations, empowering you to attack hard-to-reach areas at various angles. Press the power button with your thumb and it initially activates at its highest speed. It is moderately loud, like a quiet blender. I didn’t think it was too loud or unbearable. Right above the power button, you find another button for adjusting the speed to a slightly lower rhythm, which is also much quieter. During the 30 second recommended warm-up process of swiping the “dampener” attachment up and down my quads, followed by the same routine for hamstrings, I did not feel any pain. Rather it felt like a karate-chop massage going 100 times per second! This definitely got the blood flowing and removed tension. As a matter of fact, my legs felt very light and extremely flexible after the application. I was pumped for my run.
My exercise session on the treadmill felt no different than previous ones and my legs were still fatigued at the end, but I did not experience any cramping or stiffness at all—a good thing. I made sure to follow the post-workout instructions provided in the app. The next morning my legs felt fresh.
Theragun liv Essential Handheld Percussive Massage Device
Theragun Liv stands at an entry-level price point and has relatively fewer features compared to the newer Theragun G3 and Theragun G3 Pro.
Contents of The Box
Immediately after you open the box you’ll again find a letter from the founder of Theragun, telling the motorcycle accident story that led to the creation of the Theragun. Right beneath the letter is the white and black Theragun Liv, 2 attachments (one already on the gun), and a travel pouch for carrying the equipment around. The product itself is fairly lightweight and not too large. Its triangular frame allows a multi-grip, which enables you to position the gun in the more difficult areas to reach. There is one large button for power found at the top of the triangle and can be easily turned on and off with your thumb.
30 lbs to the test
Spoiler alert: I chose “Leg Day” again in the app to test this device—it was important that I do a fair comparison among the different Theragun models. The plan for this therapy session was to warm up my muscles before my run. Following instructions, I swept it up and down each target muscle group for roughly 30 seconds on each leg. When you power the device, you’ll hear a fairly loud noise that is sure to startle others if they are in the same room as you. Moreover, this version of the Theragun doesn’t feel super powerful, despite the attachment appearing to move up and down extremely fast. I swept it over my quads and it was not painful at all. It just felt like the device was going to work and provided a very intense and fast massage, as it pulsated against my leg. When the session was complete, my legs felt relaxed and relieved of any stiffness. I was actually a little shocked how relaxed and light my legs felt.
Included in the Theragun Liv box:
- Hard shell travel pouch
- 1 x Theragun (1 speed, 2400 RPM, 30 lbs of force)
- 2 x Attachments (1 x dampener, 1 x standard ball)
- 1 x Battery Charger
- 1 x User Manual
Theragun G3 Pro Professional Handheld Percussive Massage Device
Theragun G3 Pro is the newest addition to the Theragun family and is said to be the most powerful of them all, thus the most expensive too.
Inside The Box
Like the other Theraguns that I have discussed, the Theragun G3 Pro comes with a hard-shell travel case that contains the equipment and its complementary pieces. Simply unzipping the case uncovers the black Theragun G3 Pro, placed in its mold as well as 6 attachments: dampener (already on the gun), large ball, standard ball, wedge, thumb, and cone. Therefore, the wedge and large ball are unique to this device. I found that this product is slightly heavier than the earlier models and it’s larger and bulkier. The triangular construction of the equipment provides a multi-grip that allows you to tackle the more difficult areas to reach on your body.
Theragun G3 Pro Includes:
- Hard shell travel case
- 1 x Theragun (2 speeds, 1750 RPM and 2400 RPM, 60 lbs of force)
- 6 x Attachments (1 x dampener, 1 x cone, 1 x thumb, 1 x standard ball, 1 x wedge, 1 x large ball)
- 1 x Attachment Pouch
- 1 x Battery Charger
- 1 x User Manual
Your Personal Physio: Theragun App
As mentioned, the app is easy to use and really helps you to get the most from your Theragun. You can easily select what issue you’d like the gun to address by clicking on the appropriate image. Again, I selected “Leg Day” so that I could compare apples to apples.
60 lbs of Power to The Test
The specifications on this percussive therapy massager state that it invokes 60 pounds of force. Once you press the power button, located at the top of this unique scalene triangular-shaped device, you can hear the power right away! The noise resembles that of a blender. Actually, the attachment moves so fast that it’s a blur. And this device also has a “turbo-mode” which is extra fast and louder. The pressure seemed too intense for a simple warm-up, so I stuck to the basic mode.
I tested the device on my sore hamstrings that were slightly cramping and probably had a whole lot of knot action happening in there from an intense workout week. Using the recommended 2-minute duration for each leg to reduce soreness, I felt a lot less stiff after I used it. Even when I followed the manual therapy session with a stretch, I noticed less stiffness in the targeted areas.
Final thoughts on the three Theraguns
I found that all three models of the Theragun are powerful enough for my muscles to really feel the pressure for an effective warm up. I believe the extra fast speed (2400 RPM) of the Theragun G3 Pro has a slight advantage when it comes to temporary relief of cramping in your legs, as they left my legs feeling less stiff. Additionally, this model provides the least amount of noise when you set the speed to the lower setting (1700 RPM). I think the Theragun G3 Pro is a great effective way to prep your muscles for exercise and gain relief of minor pains associated with an intense workout session.
Find Theragun online at Best Buy Canada.
