It’s hard to put a price tag on improved muscle recovery, better performance, less soreness in your muscles, and feeling better overall. But the world is getting awfully expensive these days, and dropping $1400 on a muscle recovery device can be a substantial investment for those (such as myself) who are living on a tight budget.

Yes, having a device that can help meet the recovery demands your body is up against is important, but so is paying rent.

So, if you’re trying to figure out if the Marc Pro Plus (or its baby brother, the Marc Pro) is a worthy investment for your training and recovery needs, read this entire article; I’ll be breaking down EVERYTHING you’ll want to know so you can confidently arrive at a conclusion that’s best for you.

But I certainly respect your time, so let’s start off with the two-sentence answer, and then I’ll get into the details that you’ll really need to know:

The Marc Pro Plus is a premium muscle recovery product that certainly reflects its price tag. With scientific evidence to back up its recovery claims, it should be seen as an investment in one’s sports or physical training pursuits.

Naturally, there are a few minor things I’d like to see changed for future models, but I’ll save that for later in the article (I’ll start off with what you’ll really want to know first).

Alright, let’s dive into the important details anyone considering this device should know.

Disclosure: I do NOT have any affiliation with Marc Pro. I purchased my Marc Pro Plus device with my own money. All thoughts and opinions within this article are my own.

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Quick Facts: Parameters of the Marc Pro Plus

In case you’re curious about some of the electrical parameters of the Marc Pro Plus, here’s a quick guide of some worthy characteristics to note (as per the instruction manual):

Geeky people like me always want to know these types of device characteristics, so I feel it’s important to quickly list them. They may not mean much to the average fellow, but to those of us in the rehabilitation realm, they’re good to know. And it’s easy to see that these characteristics are in-line with what’s to be expected for an electro-therapeutic device targeting skeletal muscles.

Related article: Normatec 3 Legs Review (Honest & Professional Insight)

The Science: Studies validating the Marc Pro

While I won’t go into a discussion regarding the science behind Marc Pro devices, it’s nice to know that several studies have found statistically significant effects on muscle recovery and perceived soreness when using the device.

Note: Since the muscle recovery function comes from the low-frequency setting (available in both the Marc Pro and Marc Pro Plus), the studies are performed with the Marc Pro, though the Marc Pro Plus does the same thing while having the option for high-frequency stimulation as well.

Here’s a list with links to some of the studies on the Marc Pro:

The Marc ProTM device improves muscle performance and recovery from concentric and eccentric exercise induced muscle fatigue in humans: A pilot study

Effects of electrical stimulation using the marc pro TM device during the recovery period on calf muscle strength and fatigue in adult fitness participants

The Marc Pro Device is a Novel Paradigm Shift in Muscle Conditioning, Recovery and Performance: Induction of Nitric Oxide (NO) Dependent Enhanced Microcirculation Coupled with Angiogenesis Mechanisms

Good People: My conversation with Gary at Marc Pro

If I were going to spend $1400 on the Marc Pro Plus, I would first need to make sure that any questions I had about the device were answered, as I wanted to learn more about the dynamic decaying waveform that Marc Pro Products utilize (which give the devices their unique muscle recovery abilities).

I booked a time for a personal phone call via the Marc Pro website, and a few days later, I found myself on the phone with Gary Reinl, whom I believe is the head fellow over at Marc Pro. Gary was very pleasant to talk to, and he took the time to make sure that my questions were answered, along with providing me with a bunch of extra valuable information worth knowing.

Most importantly, he wasn’t acting like he was trying to get a quick sale out of me. While he was very clear regarding why an individual should purchase the Marc Pro Plus, he was also very clear regarding why they shouldn’t. He was also very straightforward with the answers and explanations to my questions. I never once felt like I was being misled or forced into a sale. And shortly into the conversation, it was clear that he certainly knew his stuff. I really appreciated both his honesty and his knowledge.

This conversation gave me a big boost in confidence moving forward with purchasing the Marc Pro Plus. I really felt like I was interacting with a professional and caring company.

Needless to say, I made the purchase.

Build Quality: Looks like a Porsche, built like a tank

This is actually going to be a fun section of the article to type out, as everything about the Marc Pro looks, feels, and performs like a premium product. Here’s the quick takeaway from this section:

Everything about the Marc Pro Plus reflects its price point. It’s incredibly evident that the folks at Marc Pro are out to build premium products. It looks sleek, like a Porsche, and is built like a tank.

There has been a high level of attention to detail with everything that comes with the Marc Pro Plus. The carry case feels classy and is made from a premium material; the instruction manual is filled with high-quality photos and instructions, and it’s even printed on thick card stock. As for the device itself, it feels robust as all heck.

Out of all the devices I use, own, and have reviewed, the Marc Pro takes the cake for the most premium-looking and feeling device I’ve come across, which I’m quite grateful for (and frankly, would expect), given its price point.

Absolutely no issues to report. In terms of build quality, you get Cadillac-like quality with the Marc Pro Plus.

Performance & Comfort: A Premium Experience

Having used the device for a number of weeks now, both on myself and plenty of other individuals, I have yet to run into any operational issues when using the device. Of course, only time will tell as to how it will continue to hold up, but having scanned the internet and read various forums from other users, it seems I am in good company with having a device that performs as intended.

“The Marc Pro Plus looks like a Porsche, is built like a tank, and works like a charm.”

Comfort when using the Marc Pro Plus

This is my favorite aspect of the Mark Pro Plus as of writing this article – using this thing feels wonderful. The device can produce intense muscle contractions without any concomitant discomfort. Sure, on some areas, you can make things uncomfortable by turning the dial up to excessive intensity, but that’s common sense.

On the Marc Pro Plus, there are two ways to achieve this therapeutic comfort, so let’s look at each of them below.

Low-Frequency comfort

When using the low-frequency setting, dialling in a strong—but tolerable—intensity to the targeted muscles produces rhythmic contractions that feel quite therapeutic. This is something I can personally attest to, along with plenty of others on whom I’ve been using the device.

I typically find that dialling the intensity to around 5-7 produces strong but tolerable (and very therapeutic-feeling) muscle contractions on myself and others.

This low-frequency setting is my main reason for purchasing and using the device, and it does not disappoint.

High-Frequency comfort

Since I’m using the Marc Pro Plus, I have access to a high-frequency setting not found on the Marc Pro. This setting essentially acts as a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), helping to block out pain by providing a constant electrical signal to the nerves in the skin, making any pain less perceptible through the gate pain theory.

When dialled into the right intensity, the high-frequency TENS-like setting feels comfortable and quite therapeutic.

The only thing I’m not quite certain about here is why having this high-frequency setting on the Marc Pro Plus model essentially doubles its cost from the low-intensity-only Marc Pro model, the latter running at a price of $699.

Maybe there’s a slightly different waveform or configuration to this high-frequency setting that I’m unaware of when compared to a traditional TENS unit. Whatever the case, I’m curious as to why the price doubles for what I believe to be the addition of (what I believe to be) a simple feature.

Aside from that, it’s certainly nice to have the option for the high-frequency setting, particularly if I need to use the device on others. I intend to mostly use the low-frequency setting, but should the need arise to use high-frequency current, it’s nice to have the option to fall back on.

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Purchase Considerations: Keep these in mind

$1400 can be enough to make any potential user really think twice about purchasing the Marc Pro Plus (well, it certainly did for me, anyway). If you’re on the fence, here are a few things to keep in mind if you decide to purchase the Marc Pro Plus or the Marc Pro:

You’re getting more than the device itself

It’s quite apparent that the Marc Pro team knows you’re making a significant investment when purchasing their products. As such, they’re not in this game for a quick sale; once you purchase any of their devices, you can access a representative who can help you get the most out of your device.

In other words: You’re not left high and dry after your purchase. The folks over at Marc Pro are more than happy to coach you through how to get the most out of any device you purchase.

This, I must say, is pretty cool and not something I’ve personally experienced with any other recovery product purchases I’ve made up until now.

There is a payment plan option

If the $1400 price tag to purchase the Marc Pro Plus is just too much for you, the folks at Marc Pro have a payment plan you could consider. I’ve read a few online forums now where users have mentioned that this was what allowed them to move forward with purchasing the device, so it’s clearly a wise move by the folks over at Marc Pro.

If you’re interested, the monthly payment plan is currently $116.58 over a one-year period.

Personally, I’m someone who tries to avoid payment plans. There’s nothing wrong with them; rather, it’s just a personal preference of mine (I currently have enough monthly payments I make as it is). Saving up until I could purchase the Marc Pro Plus outright was the right move for me.

You might be saving money from other treatments

Obviously, there’s no guarantee here, but it’s certainly worth mentioning that improved overall physical recovery and muscle status can cut back on costs that might otherwise be incurred with trips to your physical therapist, massage therapist, or other similar allied healthcare professional.

“If the Marc Pro can cut down on injury potential and enhance recovery, it stands to reason it can save you money otherwise spent on paying other practitioners to achieve the same effects.”

Aches and pains are common with athletes of all sports and within the general population who are otherwise training for general health and wellness—this is part of the game that any of us play when we choose to physically challenge, stress, and exert our bodies through what we love.

Naturally, overuse injuries within the body will arise. If the Marc Pro can help cut down on the extent or frequency to which these issues arise, or if it can help accelerate the body’s recovery in a way that prevents nagging overuse injuries from arising, it stands to reason that it will cut down on financial costs associated with achieving recovery or improving aches and pains from paying other practitioners to achieve the same effects.

Don’t get me wrong—there’s no substitute for professional intervention. But if you know that your aches and pains can be prevented, alleviated or eliminated through the Marc Pro, you can likely save some money with the device itself over the long run.

Future Improvements: Making Great Even Greater

Though I’ve got no true grievances with the Marc Pro Plus, I’m one of those guys who always looks for ways to make improvements. This is for no other reason than personally believing that any company or professional (including myself) should continuously strive to evolve and become better and better at what they do.

So, what follows below are a few minor—but notable—enhancements I wouldn’t mind seeing on future models of the Marc Pro Plus.

Doubling Up: Additional channels

This would be my number one suggested upgrade to a future Marc Pro Plus (or Marc Pro) model.

Both the Marc Pro Plus and the Marc Pro each have two channel leads. Two certainly get the job done for a number of conditions and circumstances. Still, it would be nice to have the ability to use four leads when needed. There are times when it would be nice to have the front AND back of BOTH legs be stimulated simultaneously, particularly when the legs have taken a pounding from an intense workout and subsequently want to ensure all major muscle groups within the legs can be simultaneously recruited for maximal, time-efficient Marc Pro usage.

Is it a deal breaker that there are only two channels? Of course not. Rather, knowing that the folks over at Compex have included this option with their similar SP 8.0 stimulator simply makes me wish I had the same number of channels to work with for more involved recovery sessions when needed.

Admittedly, it can lead to a heck of a lot of wires to keep organized during and after use, so maybe I should be grateful for only having two to keep organized rather than four.

Getting untangled: Going wireless

I’m the first to admit that I don’t know how much technological innovation and work it would take to make a Marc Pro Plus have wireless capabilities, so it’s certainly not a demand of mine – I’d simply classify it as a “hope to one day see” type of thing. Still, I know it can be done since this is what the Compex folks are doing with their upper-end SP models.

Could it create some additional headaches or complications that likely arise with wireless scenarios? Absolutely. As such, I’m sure many users and future users are just fine with keeping the Marc Pro Plus operating on a wired setup.

Additionally, while going wireless would certainly be nice, it would almost certainly also increase the overall cost of the device, which very well might put it out of the already upper-end price range that many potential users are already within.

So, going wireless: it would be nice to have the option, but it is by no means a necessity. You need to be laying still to get the most out of the device, so at this point, wires don’t really interfere with operations, anyways.

Improved screen

Don’t read TOO much into this suggested improvement—I bought this device for its ability to help my muscles recover, not because I wanted something with a pretty screen.

That being said, I’ll quickly point out that I’m a sucker for beautiful-looking displays on devices such as these. There’s just something that always draws me into a crisp, high-end, and beautiful display.

And as for the Marc Pro Plus screen, it resembles that of an original Gameboy from the early 90s. Again, I ultimately don’t care about this at all but felt the need to quickly mention that in “Jim’s perfect world,” the Marc Pro Plus would have a screen similar to that of the upper-end Compex devices, which have larger, much higher end displays, which always give me that extra little “wow factor.”

But I’m not docking any points here for Marc Pro; it’s such a simple device that it doesn’t need a fancy screen, and there’s beauty in simplicity. Besides, upgrading the screen would only add to the overall cost of the device, and I believe the vast majority of consumers would much rather keep the cost where it is.

Downgrading: Should you just get the Marc Pro instead?

For those who might have concerns about the price point of the Pro model, I feel it would be wise to consider your intended application of the device, as this might be a chance to save considerable money.

If you only intend to use the device to improve muscle recovery following workouts and sports activities, you’ll likely be just fine with the Marc Pro, which will save you roughly $700.

If you have no intentions of using the high-intensity frequency (designed for pain control) but still purchase the Pro model, you’ll be spending a lot of extra cash for a feature you won’t need or use.

Conversely, if you need the option for pain control in addition to muscle recovery, you’ll need to spring for the Pro model.

The pro model was the right choice for me since I use the device on many individuals I work with, so I needed the versatility of the Pro model, but you might not. Still, if there were only one setting I could use the device for, it would be the low-intensity setting (for muscle recovery).

So, if I weren’t a clinician and were only using the device on myself to treat sore muscles, I would go for the Marc Pro rather than the Plus model.

Know your intentions and make your decision accordingly (I want you to spend your money wisely).

The bottom line: Getting your money’s worth

At the end of the day, for me personally, the Marc Pro Plus has been absolutely worth the money. The device works as intended, feels great, and has been crafted in a sleek manner while being built like a tank.

Everything I’ve experienced up to this point—the phone call with Gary, the premium packaging, smooth performance, and the ability to switch between high and low-frequency treatment—have all made me feel that I’ve gotten my money’s worth.

$1400 is a hefty amount of money for me to spend. If it is for you as well, I do believe you will get your money’s worth. Still, you’ll need to have reasonable expectations in place—it can enhance features involved with muscle recovery, but it is no magic wand (nothing is).

Still, I have experienced how light my muscles feel after running these dynamic decaying waveforms employed by the Marc Pro Plus, and I am happy that I have added it to my arsenal of recovery tools—both for myself and those whom I serve.

With initial scientific studies to back up its claims of improving muscle recovery following physical stress and strain, I’m confident that I’m made a solid purchase.

Final thoughts

The Marc Pro Plus is a worthwhile investment for those who are serious about maximizing physical recovery from their sports, workouts, or other physical activity pursuits. It’s not a cheap device, either in cost or quality; with the Marc Pro, you get what you pay for.

Budget and spend your money wisely, and if you’re serious about using electrical stimulation for improving muscle recovery (and if your budget allows), consider picking up either the Marc Pro or the Marc Pro Plus.

Frequently Asked Questions

I’ve included a few brief answers below for commonly asked questions that others have asked regarding the Marc Pro and the Marc Pro Plus. I hope they’re helpful to you!