As my 20s prepare to slam shut behind me like a car door I didn't realize was still open, I've officially hit the age where a wrong sleeping position or an overenthusiastic stretch results in mysterious aches and pains. I've long viewed massage guns with the skepticism of a cat eyeing a cucumber - mostly because I'd tried a few off-brand ones and assumed they'd all end up collecting dust in a drawer, right next to the unused gym membership.

But after a few weeks of testing the Therabody Theragun Sense (2nd Gen), I was genuinely surprised. Turns out, massage guns aren't as gimmicky as I'd assumed. The Theragun Sense, which retails for $299, is a wellness-focused massage gun designed for everyday aches, muscle tension, relaxation, and soreness. It's more of a gentle massaging and relaxation tool than a hardcore recovery device. If you're after a deep-tissue massage, you might want to check out the Theragun PRO or Prime. But if you don't need a heavy-duty massage gun with features like heated therapy and deep-tissue capabilities, the Theragun Sense is a great option for everyday use.

My favorite thing about this massage gun is its built-in visually guided routines. The device comes with four routines, and you can access additional ones through the Therabody app and sync your favorites to the device via Bluetooth. The Theragun Sense has an LCD screen that walks you through routines step by step. Once you select a routine, the screen shows you exactly where to place the massage gun, how long to spend on each area, and how much pressure to apply. As someone who never had a clue what to do with a massage gun other than point it at a sore muscle and hope for the best, I appreciated that the Therabody Sense eliminates much of the guesswork.

My favorite routine was the six-minute 'Sleep' routine - essentially a quick full-body massage to get you ready for bed. The app offers many other routines, like 'Pre-Walk Warm-up,' 'Desk Relief,' 'Lower Back Recovery,' and more. The massage gun has five speeds, allowing you to fine-tune pressure for a more relaxing touch, moderate pressure, or a deeper tension release. I liked having the flexibility to change intensity depending on how sore I felt that day.

Since the device is designed to be lightweight, I found it easy to hold and reach those tricky spots on my back and shoulders. For those wanting more personalization, the Therabody app takes the guided experience a step further with Coach, the company's AI feature that creates personalized recovery recommendations based on your goals and activity. Coach can recommend which body parts to target, which settings or attachments to use, and when to fit a recovery session into your day.

The relatively quiet motor was another feature I appreciated - I could easily use the device while watching TV or relaxing without the massage gun's sound becoming a distraction. The Theragun Sense comes with a USB-C charging cable, a travel pouch, and two massage attachments: the Standard Ball and the Dampener, designed for knots and tender areas. You can also purchase the 'Supersoft' attachment separately for $35 for extra-sensitive areas.

Overall, the Theragun Sense (2nd Gen) won me over. It's easy to use, comfortable to hold, and notably takes the guesswork out of using a massage gun. At $299, it isn't cheap, but I think it's a great option for people who want an everyday wellness device that helps them relax and recover.