I suffer from sore muscles and headaches so much that it seems unusual when my body feels okay. I can thank a lifetime of full-contact sports and general anxiety for my laundry list of aches. Consequently, regular massages are a must.
I don't always have the time and money to go to a professional. Fortunately, more and more consumer-facing massage tools are entering the market. Recently, I had the chance to try the Hyperice Hypervolt portable, personal massage device, and I loved how it helped soothe the aches and soreness from my active lifestyle through self-myofascial release. Below are the details of my experience.
Specs
The Hypervolt comes with four interchangeable heads: round, flat, bullet, and fork. The heads are hard plastic, except the rounded head, which is hard foam. Along with the unit, which weighs approximately 2.5 pounds, the attachments fit conveniently in the provided carrying case.
The rechargeable lithium-ion battery runs for over two hours per charge and recharges in under six hours using the supplied 24-volt adapter. If the two-hour run time isn't enough for you, Hyperice offers additional batteries for $80 so you can switch out and keep going while your battery charges.
The personal massager has three speed strength levels: 30Hz/1,800 percussions per minute, 40Hz/2,400 percussions per minute, and 53Hz/3,180 percussions per minute.
It is backed by a one-year warranty.
Set-up process
The set-up was easy and intuitive, though I had to wait two hours for the battery to charge completely before I used the massager. The user manual notes that the first charge may take up to six hours, so plan accordingly. The device comes fully assembled. You just choose a massage head, put it into the hole in the front, and power up.
Once the battery was charged and the head was installed, I kept pressing the button on the back of the massager to get started but nothing happened. At this point, I turned to the operating directions, which cleared up my confusion. There are two power buttons: one on the base of the battery and the one on the back of the device, which also adjusts the speeds. Once I flipped on the battery's power button, the button on the back of the unit worked fine.What makes the Hyperice Hypervolt massager stand out
At any given time, some part of my body is sore. Whether I'm pounding the pavement on long runs or trying to stuff my large frame into a car or plane seat, I get sore muscles that ibuprofen can't fix. I've found that the Hypervolt personal massager helps me manage the pain. Best of all, it's TSA-approved, so it makes those cross-country flights more tolerable.
I mainly use the Hypervolt to work out the pain in my neck, shoulders, back, and for spot work on my legs and feet. Generally, I use the NormaTec Pulse 2.0 for my legs, but I like that the Hypervolt can target specific areas where I might have knots or other soreness.
My biggest areas of soreness are in the shoulders and neck. They seem to always want to tense up, and if I don't catch myself and consciously relax, the muscles eventually get sore. This pain can sometimes even travel up to my head. The Hypervolt massager helps me work out the muscle pain before it becomes a headache. I've found the lowest setting is ideal because the massager shakes the head, which is too intense for me on a higher setting.
With the feet, on the other hand, I can let the Hypervolt go to town on its highest setting. With any device that vibrates so drastically, durability is going to be a concern. Fortunately, the massager is constructed of heavy-duty materials, and I haven't noticed any parts coming loose, something which would suggest future issues.
I like how quietly the Hypervolt runs. On its highest setting, my sound meter registered only 60 decibels from 12 inches away. Even when I was going to town on my neck, I was still able to hear the audio from my television without turning up the volume.
Cons to consider
I had a hard time coming up with negatives for this device. I suppose it would be nice if it were hands-free. With the Pulse 2.0, I can read a book while it works its magic. If I want to use Hyperice Hypervolt hands-free, I have to enlist the help of a family member, and they have better things to do than make sure I'm comfortable. Fortunately, as mentioned above, the device runs quiet so I can tune into a TV show while working the knots out.
The case is nice to have, but if you jostle it just a little, the heads fall out of their spots.Bottom line
The Hypervolt does an outstanding job of keeping my pain from spreading and leaving me bed-ridden. It also loosens me up so I'm ready to put in another workout. But it's quite expensive. Is it worth the cost? Are there lower-cost alternatives? We will explore these questions below.
Should you buy it?
Though it doesn't compare to the magic fingers of a licensed massage therapist, the Hypervolt portable massager can do a good job of filling in. The device pays for itself when you can stretch the time between massage appointments. So if you are trying to save time and money over regular trips to the massage therapist or want to supplement your treatment, this is an excellent device to have. It's also an invaluable tool for athletes who want to loosen up sore muscles before or after training sessions.
Physical therapists and other professionals who manipulate the muscles may also find the Hypervolt is useful since it packs more power than hands alone.
What are your alternatives?
If you're not ready to drop $350 on a top-of-the-line massager, there are several respectable alternatives available at about half the price. Here are a few popular solutions:
Exerscribe Vybe Personal Percussion Massage Gun ($159.99): The Vybe comes with three head attachments, two batteries, and a carrying case. The massage arm rotates 90 degrees for improved comfort as you work it around your body. There are also six speeds ranging from 500 to 2,400 strokes per minute.
TimTam Power Massager ($199.99): The TimTam also has a 90-degree massage angle and comes with a carrying case. However, it only comes with one massage head (attachments are sold separately), and it only delivers a maximum of 2,000 percussions per minute. This might be a good option if you don't want more intense massaging.
Cotsoco Massage Gun ($189.99): This massager comes in three different colors: black, silver, and gold. The five speeds range from 1,300 to 4,600 strokes per minute. And with the four heads, the Cotsoco Gun offers a variety of ways to soothe muscles and joints throughout your body. Another bonus is the four-hour battery run time.
Overall, the Hyperice Hypervolt screams quality. In over two months of use, the device shows no signs of wear. It has performed well every time I've taken it out, and I haven't found a pain that the massager hasn't been able to soothe. If you are looking for the best self-myofascial release product, the Hypervolt personal massager is a smart solution.Pros: Three speed settings that go up to 3,200 percussions per minute, four head attachments, one-year warranty, TSA-approved, carrying case
Cons: Expensive, you can't rotate the massage arm
Buy the Hyperice Hypervolt Massage Device at Best Buy for $349
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