THERAGUN vs. HYPERICE: WHICH RECOVERY TOOL IS THE BEST?
When you’re at the top of your sports game, taking care of your body is a priority. We all know the importance of warm-ups and recovery, but what if we told you that you could get extra help in these areas?
Thanks to the wizardry of modern technology, there are now plenty of effective recovery tools on the market. Within this buying guide, we will take a look at the two industry leaders in percussive therapy, Theragun and Hyperice.
The technology replicates the Swedish massage technique of tapotement, using percussive therapy to pummel soft tissue to help with soreness and muscle pain. That helps to speed up your post-workout recovery and ease any stiffness you encounter.
Here’s what you should know about these percussive therapy recovery tools.
THERAGUN
Offering ultra-quiet percussive massage, Theragun products give you the quick relief and recovery you’ve been looking for after a workout. Dr. Jason Wersland started the business back in 2007 after a traumatic accident that left him in continuous pain.
He set out to create a handheld massager to increase blood flow and relieve tension in the muscles.
Whatever your needs or price range, there’s a Theragun product for you. There’s the Theragun Mini (£175), Theragun Prime (£275), Theragun Elite (£375), and the Thergun Pro (£549).
Each of the brand’s products can be used to ease the feeling of sore muscles and support your training goals. Moreover, you can also use massage products to help speed-up your warm-ups.
HYPERICE
Infusing innovative technology with the art of movement, Hyperice products are game-changing devices. Each combines the latest science and physiology to support you whatever your activity of choice is.
The brand offers a variety of products to help you maximise your fitness and aid recovery. The Hypersphere (£139) and Hypersphere Mini (£89) balls offer a unique form of vibration therapy as you roll them beneath you.
However, the stars of the show are the Hypervolt (£349) and Hypervolt Plus (£399) guns, both of which offer targeted vibration massage to the areas of your physique that need it most.
WHY ARE THESE TOOLS BETTER THAN A FOAM ROLLER?
These modern-day recovery tools are set to replace a well-known gym staple: the foam roller. The idea behind using a foam roller is that it offers myofascial release.
By rolling these balls or tubes beneath your body, you massage the fascia, i.e. the area around your muscles, which becomes tight or inflamed when you’re stressed or overworked.
While there is a lack of current research here, one study published in the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy found that foam rolling led to less muscle tightness and a better range of motion.
However, it’s worth noting that a more recent review of research suggests that it takes more force to impact the fascia and muscle tissue.
With that in mind, there are two key reasons that a massage gun is better than a foam roller. First of all, products from brands such as Theragun and Hyperice offer more force than a traditional foam roller.
You can instantly get a strong vibration or pulse and target an area with it. The second reason that these tools are better is that you don’t need to use your own weight to make them work. Instead, you simply point the gun and go.
Hyperice has actually developed the Vyper 2.0 (£189) which uses percussive therapy to create the world’s most powerful vibrating fitness roller, featuring all the traditional circulation benefits of foam-rolling, amplified by powerful vibration.
THERAGUN vs. HYPERICE: WHICH SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?
Now that you know a little about the Theragun and Hyperice products, let’s get down to it. Which massage gun is the best? It’s quite the conundrum.
Both of these brands offer market-leading percussive therapy products that will get the job done, so choosing one of them is quite nuanced. Let’s take a look at the main benefits of each product line.
Theragun Benefits
From the Theragun Elite to the Theragun Pro, these percussive sports massage products are hard to beat. All of Theragun’s products have the power and versatility to deliver in relieving muscle soreness and improving your training.
Here are the main benefits of Theragun products:
- Chiropractor-designed
- Market-leading power
- Ergonomic shape, with a versatile handle & moveable arm
- Easy to use
- Percussive massage
- Quiet massager
- Lightweight (the Pro is 2.9 lbs)
- Customisable speeds
Hyperice Benefits
Hyperice also has a selection of vibration and percussive massagers that will deliver in supporting your recovery and promoting circulation. Here are the main benefits of Hyperice products:
- Easy to use
- Pressure sensor
- Quietest massager on the market
- Percussive or vibration massage
- 5 attachments (for the Hypervolt)
- More affordable
- Long-lasting battery life
Best for affordability: Hyperice
First things first, let’s consider price. Hyperice products tend to be slightly more affordable than Theragun products. If you’re on a budget or simply want to spend less, choosing the former will save money while still getting an effective recovery tool.
Best for versatility: Theragun
While both Theragun and Hyperice products offer a quiet massage with varying settings, there are some differences. The ergonomic design of Theragun products, with a multi-position handle and moveable arm, means that you can easily reach and target any area of your body without any assistance.
Since the Hyperice Hypervolt takes a more traditional gun shape, you may find it tricky to reach certain areas. In terms of attachments/tips, both have a wide variety, the Theragun coming with six, and the Hypervolt with five.
Best for speed: Hyperice
Let’s talk speed. The Hyperice Hypervolt gets up to 3200PPM. To put that into perspective, the Theragun Pro, Theragun Elite, and Theragun Mini only get up to 2400 PPMs. With that in mind, if you’re looking for speed, you might find that the Hyperice gun is the best choice.
Best for power: Theragun
The Theragun Pro delivers 60-pounds of force with each stroke, whereas the Hyperice Hypervolt delivers 40-pound strokes. The numbers are pretty clear, and we found that in testing the Theragun is noticeably more powerful.
Again it comes down to what you want. The Theragun delivers a tougher, deep tissue beating experience, whereas the Hypervolt still works through those muscle knots, but it is a slightly gentler, more massage-like experience.
Best for noise: Hyperice
Theragun has improved quietness on its new G4 products, but Hyperice continues to win on this front, with the quietest product on the market.
Price: Are they worth the money?
So, are these products worth the money? The short answer is yes. If you’re an athlete or enthusiast who trains regularly and needs muscle relief, these massage guns really will help. The Theragun is backed by more than ten years’ research and comes with a pairable app for your phone.
Similarly, the Hyperice brand and products are backed by a science advisory board. Large numbers of elite sports teams in both the US and UK are now using the products from both brands.
THERAGUN AND HYPERICE FAQs
How do you use a Theragun?
If you’re wondering how to use a Theragun, it could not be easier. First, you should pick the grip that you want and then turn it on by holding down the ‘power’ button. Next, set the speed before you apply it to your body.
Finally, apply the Theragun to any area. For more on how to use a Theragun on specific areas visit the brand site here. We also recommend you use the app in collaboration with your gun.
How do you use a Hyperice?
The Hypervolt can be used on many areas of the body, specifically the thigh muscles, the hip flexors, the shoulders and beyond. You simply need to turn the Hyperice on, find the muscle that you want to relax and hold it there for 30 seconds to relieve the tension.
Find out more about using a Hyperice Hypervolt in this video tutorial and in the Hyperice app.
What does the Hyperice do?
Hyperice products use percussive or vibration massage to release tension in muscles and help them to relax. For example, you can use the Hyperice Hypervolt or Hyperice Hypervolt Plus to target specific muscles in your body.
Many trainers use these recovery tools to warm-up ahead of a workout, relieve soreness, and enhance muscle performance.
How does the Hyperice work?
The Hyperice Hemisphere uses vibrations to release tension in your muscle and key areas of your body. The Hyperice Hypervolt or Hyperice Hypervolt Plus uses percussive massage to relieve soreness, release tension, warm up muscles, and prepare you for optimum sports performance.
What’s more, these recovery tool products also connect to an app via Bluetooth, which gives you extra insights and help.
How do you change Hyperice attachments?
Learning how to change Hyperice attachments could not be easier. The Hyperice Hypervolt comes with interchangeable attachments. Each of these slides onto the top of the massage gun with a little twist. To remove the attachments, simply twist again as you pull.
Where do you buy Hyperice products?
Thinking of buying a Hyperice product and boosting your workouts? At The Sports Edit, we stock a variety of Hyperice recovery tools that are certain to give you what you need. You can check out our latest range here.
Where do you buy Theragun products?
On the other hand, you may choose to opt for one of the Theragun products. We also stock a range of options at The Sports Edit including the Theragun Elite, Theragun Mini, and Theragun Pro. Check them out here.
Where can you buy the Hyperice Hypervolt Plus?
If you want to know where to buy the Hyperice Hypervolt Plus, look no further. At The Sports Edit, we stock the Hyperice Hypervolt Plus here.
Which Hyperice is best?
Hyperice offers a variety of products. Which one suits you depends on your circumstances and what level of massage you want. The Hyperice Hypervolt Plus has the most features and will give you the top level of massage.
However, both the Hypervolt and the Hemisphere will also help you gain the relief you need when it comes to working out.
Hyperice vs. Hyperice Plus: Which should I get?
The main difference between these two products is the power output. The two devices also come in different colours; the standard model is silver while the Plus version is black.
If you’re looking for more power, opt for the Plus model. If you want to save some money, go for the standard Hyperice Hypervolt.
Hyperice Hypervolt vs. Theragun Elite: The Takeaway!
Choosing between a Hyperice Hypervolt and a Theragun Elite can be tricky. While the Elite is £375, the Hypervolt is £349, so there’s not a huge price difference.
When it comes to speed, the Hyperice wins with up to 3200PPM, while the Theragun has only 2400PPM. However, in terms of design, the Theragun is more versatile.
