Go into any running store now, and you’re bound to see a display with at least one brand of massage guns. They are all the rage and they are a lot cheaper, in the long run, than getting massages every month. I saw one for the first time when my sports medicine doctor used a Hypervolt Massage Gun on my leg when I was injured between ultra marathons a year ago. It was so amazing that I went home and looked it up on Amazon, only to find out they cost in the neighborhood of $350. I couldn’t justify the cost. Fast forward a couple of years, and they are popping up everywhere, and now there are many different brands at many different price points. How do you know if it’s worth shelling out the extra cash for the most reputable massage gun or not?
Enter TriggerPoint. This company, which thrives on innovation in recovery tools, makes a product called the Impact Percussion Massage Gun. In one word, it looks pretty legit. According to TriggerPoint, “percussion massage can help increase blood flow, hydrate muscle tissue, and promote flexibility and range of motion.” This sounds pretty amazing, right? After a nice long run on the trails, what better way to work out some kinks! I think most of us beat our bodies up pretty good, and any tool that can help make us feel normal again is worth it’s weight in gold. But the cost of this massage gun is much less of a hit to the wallet, as it’s only $199 vs $349. But is this a game of You Get What You Pay For? Not everyone likes that game so well.
I work at a chiropractic clinic that owns a Hypervolt. It’s one of many tools that we have at our disposal to help our clients. I couldn’t wait to bring my TriggerPoint Impact to work and compare it to the Hypervolt. Here are a few comparisons.
The Size: TriggerPoint claims that the Impact is lightweight and easy to travel with. When I took it out of the box for the first time, it felt heavy in my hand, but considering what it is and does, I wouldn’t expect it to feel like cheap plastic. I was curious about how the Hypervolt measured up in comparison. The Hypervolt is 2.5 lbs and it’s dimensions are 5.23” x 3.25” x 10.” The TriggerPoint Impact weighed slightly less at 2.4 lbs and it’s dimensions are 10.3” x 7.5” x 2.” Honestly, the two units are fairly comparable in size though each have their own unique design.
The Massage Head: The Hypervolt comes with five head attachments, which are interchangeable. The TriggerPoint Impact only has one head. But the truth is, I only feel the need to use one particular massage head on the Hypervolt at work, and it’s the one that looks a lot like the one that comes on the TriggerPoint gun. I’m sure some of the other attachments are helpful for a variety of other body parts, ailments, and user preferences, depending on the goal. But at the same time, I personally don’t feel like this would be a deal breaker if I was trying to decide between the two massage guns.
The Speed Settings: There are three speed settings on the Hypervolt and four settings on the TriggerPoint Impact. The first speed feels plenty strong on my muscles, but my husband prefers the 2nd speed. We haven’t needed to increase the intensity any further than that, but I guess it’s comforting to know there is more power if we need it.
The Noise Level: The chiropractor at our office pulled out a massage gun he bought about 8 years ago, before the hype over massage guns started. It does a great job but it looks like something from Home Depot and it is really REALLY loud. I imagine that’s off putting for many people, because no one wants to feel like they are about to be attacked by a powertool. The massage guns look sleeker now, but many of them are still a bit noisy. The Hypervolt is preferred by many because of it’s Quiet Glide™ motor, which sets it apart from many of the others. However, the TriggerPoint Impact has a brushless motor which helps reduce noise, and even at it’s top speed, you can have a normal conversation over it. It’s not loud at all, and after a couple of minutes, it’s all like white noise anyway.
The Battery: The Hypervolt has a rechargeable battery and the website claims that it will stay charged for over 3 hours. The TriggerPoint Impact also has a rechargeable battery with a charge that lasts for over 2 hours. Does that extra hour matter to you? Perhaps if you are planning to travel with it and don’t have an outlet available. I can think of very few situations where I would need my gun to last 3 hours vs 2 hours. But if that’s a big factor for you, the Hypervolt will last a bit longer.
The Performance: Some people consider massage guns to be an adequate or ever superior replacement for the hands of a massage therapist. They help our tight and sore muscles in ways that we can’t with only a foam roller and a hot shower at our disposal at home otherwise. I can’t speak for all of the brands out on the market currently, but the TriggerPoint Impact is simply amazing. The first time I tried it, I laid down and let my husband work out some issues in my upper back, shoulders, and neck which have been bothering me for years. It hurt SO good. I felt tingling down my arms all the way to my finger tips and everything felt warm, like an electric blanket enveloping my aching bod. After the very first session with it, I felt better in my shoulders and the back of my neck than I had the last time I got a massage there. I don’t often get to test the Hypervolt on myself at work, but I can’t imagine it could do a better job than what I felt with the TriggerPoint Impact.
Bottom Line: I’ve got nothing bad to say about Hypervolt, because they make an amazing product. However, if price is a big consideration for you when you are thinking of getting a massage gun, the price tag of $199 is easier to swallow than $349-$449. Additionally, the angled handle with the top-weighted design makes it easy to use, the universal massage head is great for all muscle groups, and the 4-speed motor is quiet and efficient, with a rechargeable battery that lasts for over 2 hours. In my opinion, the TriggerPoint Impact is a stellar product that will meet all of your needs.
I brought my TriggerPoint Impact with me to a half marathon recently, and it was a lifesaver. I’d woken up with tight calves and hips and after only a few minutes rubbing it over my legs in the parking lot, the pain was gone. I didn’t feel any pain while I ran, though after I stopped, I started to stiffen a bit. I again pulled out the massage gun, and after a few minutes on each leg, much of the pain subsided, which made the hour long drive home much more pleasant. I would, and have already, recommend the TriggerPoint Impact to anyone looking for relief for their aches and pains.
Company:
- TriggerPoint – Find them on Facebook here
Products & Price:
- Impact Percussion Massage Gun ($199) – Find it on Amazon here
Specs (from website):
- 4-speed muscle massage gun delivers targeted pressure to help increase blood flow, hydrate muscle tissue, and improve range of motion pre and post-workout
- An angled handle with a top-weighted design provides comfort and ease of use, and allows for better control and dexterity
- Universal massage head is optimized for use on multiple muscle groups to increase blood flow, improve range of motion, and accelerate recovery time
- A quiet, brushless 4-speed motor runs quietly and efficiently; rechargeable battery supplies over 2 hours of continuous massage
- Massage gun is lightweight and travel-friendly: measures 10. 3 x 7. 5 x 2 inches and weighs 2. 4 pounds; charger included
More about TriggerPoint:
TriggerPoint is a life-enhancing brand focused on empowering people to move and feel better. We design and develop innovative massage therapy tools that mimic the touch of a therapist’s hands, so people of all ages, sizes, and athletic ability can feel their best wherever they are. Guided by a passion for improving personal wellness, TriggerPoint has successfully become one of the leaders in at-home massage tools in the athletic, healthcare, and personal wellness markets.
We believe that by incorporating performance therapy into a daily routine, everyone can enhance their performance, speed up recovery time, and prevent injuries. We develop an assortment of therapeutic massage tools like anatomy-specific foam rollers, deep-tissue penetrating cold rollers, massage balls, and therapy guidebooks.
Add TriggerPoint into your daily routine and unlock your body’s inner strength.
Thank you to TriggerPoint for providing us with a sample pack. Please read our transparency page for info on how we do our reviews.
