Theragun vs Foam Roller (2021): Which Is Better For You?

Percussive massagers, such as Theragun, and foam rollers are both helpful recovery tools for relieving muscle tension and soreness. Theragun massage guns are a lot more expensive than foam rollers, but is it actually worth it? And do you still need one if you already have a foam roller and vice versa? We deep dive into the advantages and disadvantages of using one over the other in this article.

Theragun vs Foam Roller Comparison Chart

Muscle & Tension Relief

The Theragun is great for hitting targeted areas while the foam roller can hit larger muscle groups more efficiently

Many users end up getting both a Theragun and a foam roller as each has its own set of advantages. The Theragun is great for more intense massages which are helpful for users who often do intense workouts and training. Depending on the model, the Theragun’s speed setting can be adjusted on the percussive device itself or its accompanying app. It’s also a lot more convenient to use as well since you can massage different parts of your body while sitting on the couch watching TV or lying in bed.

Meanwhile, the advantage of foam rollers over the Theragun and other percussive massagers is they can hit larger muscle groups (such as when foam rolling the calves or back). Depending on their density, foam rollers are also typically gentler to the muscles than the Theragun. With that said, if you’re after a deep massage, then the Theragun will suit you better.

Price

Theragun percussive devices can range from $199 to $599 while foam rollers range from $10 to $100

Theragun is one of the most premium percussive massager brands today. The Theragun mini, which costs around $200, is its entry-level travel massage gun while the Theragun PRO is its most expensive, professional-grade massage gun and costs around $600 at regular price. Theragun is not exactly cheap, but if you often have deep massage therapy, then the Theragun can pay for itself as it’s more affordable than massage therapies in the long run.

Those on a budget can opt for foam rollers instead. You can already get excellent-quality foam rollers like the TriggerPoint GRID at under $30. Foam rollers also last long and don’t require batteries that need to be charged.

Additional Features

The Theragun Elite comes with different attachments and has Bluetooth connectivity

While the Theragun is great for deep tissue massage, it has attachments that help manage the impact levels to suit different areas of the body. Its five attachments range from the dampener attachment, which has a low impact level and is great for bony areas, to the cone attachment, which is designed for a more targeted muscle treatment.

Meanwhile, foam rollers may not come with fancy attachments like the Theragun, but there’s a wide array of designs, densities, and sizes to choose from. Slimmer foam rollers are excellent for users with stability problems while foam rollers with bumps and ridges like the TriggerPoint GRID are great for relieving tighter muscles.

Verdict

The Theragun is worth it for users who do intensive workouts and require deeper massage relief, while foam rollers are good enough for the casual gym goer

At the end of the day, both the Theragun and foam rollers can relieve muscle tension and help improve blood circulation. If the cost is no object, get both. However, if you’re on a limited budget and don’t need the deep, intensive massage you can get from Theragun percussive massagers, then a foam roller should suffice.

FAQs

Last update on 2022-07-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API