As I approach the conclusion of my 20s later this year, I’ve officially hit the point where sleeping in an awkward position or stretching a bit too much can lead to discomfort. I’ve always had my doubts about massage guns, largely because I’ve tested a handful of off-brand models and figured they’d just end up gathering dust.

However, after several weeks of trying out the Therabody Theragun Sense (2nd Gen), I was taken aback. It turns out massage guns aren’t the fads I had assumed they were.

The Theragun Sense, priced at $299, is a massage gun focused on wellness that aims to alleviate everyday discomfort, relieve muscle tightness, encourage relaxation, and ease soreness. It serves more as a gentle massage and relaxation device than a robust recovery massage gun.

If you’re in search of a more intense deep-tissue massage, consider looking into the Theragun PRO or Prime. But if a heavily featured, powerful massage gun—including heated therapy and deep-tissue functionality—isn’t a necessity for you, the Theragun Sense is an excellent choice for regular use. 

What I appreciate most about the massage gun is its built-in visually guided routines. It offers four routines, and with the Therabody app, you can access even more, syncing your preferred ones to the device via Bluetooth.

The Theragun Sense features an LCD display that guides you through routines step by step. After selecting a routine, the screen instructs you on where to apply the massage gun, how much time to spend on each area, and the pressure to use.

As someone who had little idea of how to utilize a massage gun other than directing it at a tight muscle and hoping for relief, I found the Therabody Sense made the process much simpler.

The routine I enjoyed the most was the six-minute “Sleep” routine, which provides a quick full-body massage to help prepare you for bedtime. The app offers a variety of other routines, including “Pre-Walk Warm-up,” “Desk Relief,” “Lower Back Recovery,” and many more. 

The massage gun includes five speed options to adjust the pressure, allowing for a lighter touch, medium pressure, or a more intense release of tension. I appreciated the ability to alter the intensity based on how sore I felt that day.

As the device is made to be lightweight, I found it easy to handle and access those areas on my back and shoulders that are less accessible.

For those seeking more customization, the Therabody app elevates the guided experience with Coach, the company’s AI feature that formulates tailored recovery suggestions based on your objectives and activity. Coach can provide recommendations on which areas to focus on, what settings or attachments to utilize, and the optimal timing for your recovery sessions. 

I also valued the relatively quiet motor, allowing me to use the device while watching television or relaxing without being disturbed by the noise of the massage gun. 

Included with the Theragun Sense is a USB-C charging cable, a travel pouch, and two massage attachments: the Standard Ball and the Dampener, designed for targeting knots and sensitive areas. For an additional $35, you can purchase the “Supersoft” attachment for extra delicate areas of the body. 

In summary, the Theragun Sense (2nd Gen) won me over. It’s user-friendly, comfortable to hold, and notably eliminates the uncertainty involved with using a massage gun. While priced at $299, it’s not inexpensive, but I consider it a fantastic choice for those seeking a daily wellness device that aids in relaxation and recovery.