Theragun Prime

The verdict

The Prime is Therabody's middle massage gun, with the triangular handle that lets you reach your own back without a wrestling match. It hits hard enough for calves and glutes, with a deep stroke that cheaper mini guns can't match.

Five speed settings and two attachments, a dampener and a standard ball, cover most jobs. Pairing with the app adds guided routines, which are useful when you're starting out and easy to ignore once you know where it hurts.

It is louder than the premium Theragun models and heavier than the pocket-sized guns, but it sits in the sweet spot for runners: about 2 hours of battery, real stall force, and a price well below the flagship.

“Loud, effective and oddly satisfying.”