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Theragun Prime vs Ekrin Athletics B37
Quick verdict
Winner on Gym Score: Theragun Prime (77)
Theragun Prime is the better gun on spec — 16mm amplitude vs Ekrin's 12mm, more refined handle ergonomics, and the brand-name app integration. Ekrin B37 is the better value — 56 lb stall force (vs Theragun's 30 lb), 8-hour battery vs 2-hour, and a lifetime warranty all for under $230. If amplitude matters most, Theragun. If stall force and battery life matter most, Ekrin.
Choose the Theragun Prime if 16mm deep amplitude matters for your tissue work, you want the triangle handle ergonomics, or you'll use the Therabody app for guided routines.
Read the full review →Choose the Ekrin B37 if you need a gun that won't stall on dense muscle (the 56 lb stall force is meaningfully higher), you'll travel with it (8-hour battery is huge), or the lifetime warranty appeals.
Read the full review →
- · Lifters who want one device for pre-workout activation and post-workout recovery
- · Self-massage on hard-to-reach areas like upper back and rear delts
- · Users who value the Therabody app's guided routines
- · Buyers who value a lifetime warranty over flashy specs
- · Daily users who want long battery life (8 hours per charge)
- · First-time massage gun owners not sure they will stick with it
Spec-by-spec
| Spec | Theragun Prime | Ekrin Athletics B37 |
|---|---|---|
| Amplitude | 16mm | 12mm |
| Stall Force | 30 lb | 56 lb |
| Speeds | 5 | 5 |
| Battery Life | 120 min | 480 min |
Theragun Prime
- +30 lb stall force (therapeutic, not cosmetic)
- +16mm amplitude
- +Triangle handle
- +App integration
- −$299 is pricey for casual users
- −Louder than Hypervolt 2
- −Accessories limited in base kit
Ekrin Athletics B37
- +Lifetime warranty
- +8-hour battery
- +56 lb stall force
- +Under $230
- −12mm amplitude (not 16mm)
- −Heavier than premium options
- −App limited
The real tradeoff
Amplitude vs stall force is the technical split. 16mm amplitude (Theragun) reaches deeper into muscle per stroke. 56 lb stall force (Ekrin) means the motor doesn't slow down when you press hard into a knot. Both matter, but for different uses: Theragun for breaking up specific deep knots; Ekrin for sustained pressure without the motor losing speed. Warranty is the long-term factor: lifetime (Ekrin) vs typical 1-year (Theragun). At a 50% price gap, Ekrin's value proposition is real.
Skip both if you want pocket-sized portability. The Theragun Mini at /product/theragun-mini fits in a jacket pocket — less power, much more convenience.
Buyer questions
What does 'stall force' actually mean in practice?
How much pressure you can apply before the motor slows down. A 25-30 lb stall force gun (Theragun) bogs down when you press hard into a glute knot. A 50+ lb stall force gun (Ekrin) maintains full speed under pressure. For aggressive self-massage, higher stall force is more useful than higher amplitude.
Is the Ekrin's app worth using?
Limited — it has basic preset routines but lacks the depth of Therabody's app. Most Ekrin users don't use it. Buy the gun for the hardware, not the app.
How does the Ekrin handle long sessions?
Better than Theragun by a wide margin. 8-hour battery is overkill for a single session, but it means months between charges in normal use. Theragun's 2-hour battery means more frequent charging cycles.