Theragun Relief vs. Prime: Comparing Therabody Massage Guns
Price Differences: Theragun Relief vs. Theragun Prime
There's a big price difference between the Theragun Relief vs. Prime. Currently, the Relief retails for $139.99, while the Prime retails for $329.99. We'll get more into specific features that account for the higher price, but the Prime is a much more powerful and durable massage gun. If budget is a big consideration for you, you can still get great relief from the Theragun Relief.
Different Massage Types & Intensity
Deciding which Therabody massage gun is right for you is surprisingly easy, if you know what kind of massage you're looking for. The Theragun Prime is designed for a full-body, deep massage, while the Theragun Relief is designed for a full-body, gentle massage. The Prime offers 30 lbs. of force, while the Relief offers 20 lbs. If you're looking for a gentle, daily massage to keep your muscles loose whether or not you're working out, the Relief is a better choice. The increased pressure of the Prime is great for loosening muscles post-lift or soothing soreness after a long bike ride or 5K. Those recovering from an injury will also want the increased power of the Theragun Prime. Both offer Therabody's signature percussive therapy, which helps improve blood flow and muscle stimulation to improve warm-ups, flexibility and recovery. According to Therabody, the Prime is their most durable massage gun yet, designed to withstand frequent use, outdoor adventures and drops. While both of these massage guns are designed to relieve pain, tension, stiffness and other discomfort, their different intensities make them ideal for different users.
Comparing Massage Speeds and Control
The Theragun Relief has three speeds and simple, one-button control that lets you toggle between those speeds. As the Relief is designed for gentler massaging, the speeds are overall on the slower end. The Theragun Prime has five speeds but retains that simple, one-button design. As the Prime offers a deeper, more intense massage, it makes sense that it offers more speed settings. The Prime also has an LED screen to show the massage speed and actual pressure to aid in recovery.
Which Attachments Are Included?
The massage you get also depends on the attachment you're using. The Theragun Relief comes with the standard ball, dampener and thumb attachments, while the Theragun Prime comes with only the dampener and standard ball attachment. While you may think that the Theragun Relief is automatically better because it has more attachments, remember that the Theragun Prime is designed for more intense, deep massaging; the thumb attachment is meant for intense, focused treatment, which the Prime is designed to inherently offer. Think of it this way: the Prime's main purpose is to offer a deep massage, while the Relief is made for a lighter massage, with the thumb attachment available should you need more focused treatment on occasion or in only specific areas. In this instance, neither massage gun is "better." Instead, choose the one whose design is more aligned with your fitness routine and therapy needs.
Massage Gun Size and Portability
Do you plan to bring your massage gun to the gym or on vacation? Luckily, the Theragun Relief and Prime are fairly similar in size (though if you're looking for a truly portable massage gun, the Theragun Mini is specifically designed for that). Neither are small, but they can easily fit into a gym bag or backpack.
Bluetooth Connectivity & Therabody App
Both the Theragun Relief and Prime can connect to the Therabody app for guided routines, which is great for beginners who need relief but aren't sure how to achieve it. However, the Prime can also integrate with Coach, Therabody's AI-driven recovery system that can understand your fitness goals and offer recommendations to help improve performance. Coach is accessed via the app, but also integrates with your wearables from brands like Garmin and Apple. So, if you're a weight lifter, cyclist or are on a fitness journey, you may prefer the Theragun Prime for its advanced integrations. Those who prefer low-impact workouts or non-smart devices will find the Theragun Relief satisfactory.
Find the Theragun Relief & Prime at Abt
So, which massage gun do you get? If you're more of a casual user or don't typically do intense workouts, the Theragun Relief should get the job done. If you need more intense massaging, maybe because you're a weight lifter or marathon runner, the Prime is worth the upgrade. Abt is proud to offer most of the Therabody lineup, so you can find your perfect massage gun with free shipping and our signature customer service. If you want to look at other options, we also have an overview of Therabody's products to learn more.
Theragun Relief vs. Prime FAQs
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It depends. If you're looking for pain relief or recovery after intense workouts, the Theragun Prime is better for you. For those seeking simple control and easy daily use, the Theragun Relief is a better option.
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If you're an athlete or prefer more intense workouts, the Theragun Prime is definitely worth it to speed up recovery.
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Unless you're a serious athlete or a serious gymgoer, the Theragun Relief is worth it. It effectively soothes pain and tightness, and is a great price. The added attachments add more functionality as well.
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The Theragun Relief does not have Bluetooth. However, you can still access visually guided routines for the Relief in the Therabody app.
