Review: The Hyperice Vyper

This week we take a moment to review the vibrating mobility product called the Hyperice Vyper.

Item: The Vyper
Price: $199.99 USD
Manufacturer: Hyperice
Purchase: www.Hyperice.com

Every athlete needs a recovery plan. Keeping the body’s soft tissue loose is essential for maintaining flexibility and range of motion. In the functional fitness world foam rolling has become extremely popular with rollers now available in all kinds of shapes, sizes and styles to meet differing athletes demands.

In recent times, many elite athletes have begun using electronic vibration to assist in recovery, and a new product by Hyperice – the Vyper VG1 – has made it accessible to the mainstream.

I used to hate foam rolling, whether it was before, or after training. Even though I knew how good it was for me, I avoided it because of the discomfort it caused and because, to be honest, I found it to be a hassle. The last thing I felt like doing at the end of a long and hectic day was yet more work on the floor. I just wanted to lie down and be massaged, and to some extent, that’s what the Vyper does for you.

The Vyper is a fitness and recovery device that uses pressure and vibration to ‘improve the body’s overall performance’. It looks just like a regular foam roller, except it weighs more and is powered by rechargeable lithium ion batteries (which give over two hours of use per charge). It has three different speed settings that are perfect for self massage, warm up and to work on tight muscles.

The device claims to increase range of motion and flexibility and increase circulation. And I have to say, while the foam rollers I have used in the past have helped my body stay loose to some extent, adding vibration with the intensity and frequency of the Vyper has taken my recovery to a whole new level. With regular use, I’ve been able to reduce the number of regular massages I need.

Here are my thoughts on the Hyperice Vyper and weather or not I think it’s a product worth purchasing:

The Good

Price: At $199 (USD) and $249.95 (AUD), some people might think this product is a bit pricey. However, I think the price is justified for a high quality product like the Vyper. Yes, the cost is more than twice as much as many other foam rollers on the market, but with frequent use you’ll likely save money on massages and possible visits to your physio. Plus, it comes with a one-year warranty!

Power: This thing has serious power and even the lowest setting packs a punch. For someone who loves a hard massage, like me, this is pure heaven. On the flipside, if you’re someone who’s after a more gentle pulse, the Hyperice Vyper might not be for you.

Look: While i’m not to care about the look of mobility products too much, the Hyperice Vyper is seriously bad-ass to the eye. It’s made of black rubber and is quite short and wide. It also has a nice feel when in my hands and when rolling on my bare skin.

Portable: As mentioned above, the Hyperice Vyper is short in length and not too thick, making it compact enough to be portable. It’s a great size to be able to carry in your gym bag, and not too big if you plan on taking it for an overseas holiday or an interstate trip.

The Bad

Surfaces: The Hyperice Vyper definitely isn’t suitable for use on concrete or hard wood floor. I tried it on both surfaces and even on the low setting the vibrations are so powerful the device moves around too much (even with the weight of a limb on it). It works a lot better of carpet or rubber.

Weight: It’s quite heavy, and may not be something that you want to carry around in your kit bag. However, it’s perfect for keeping in the car or in the home.

Recharge: If you’re a forgetful person and don’t remember to recharge, or if you lose the special cord you need to charge the Vyper with (which Hyperice provides), you could be kicking yourself when your next session rolls around and you find the device is flat.

Length: While the small size of the Vyper makes it a great portable tool, it’s not great if you’re someone who likes using long and wide rollers. For some people the Hyperice Vyper may be a little too small, and it would be good to see them offer a longer version of the product in the future.

Conclusion

Overall, I think the Hyperice Vyper is a high quality foam roller that has numerous benefits over traditional rollers. The added feature of vibration was very effective in loosening tight areas of my body and it’s now my go-to roller when I have any muscle groups I want to target.

Despite the price tag being a bit more than other foam rollers on the market, I think the Hyperice Vyper is worth the cost given the time and effort it can save you. If you’re a serious functional fitness athlete, gymnast, Olympic lifter, or other sports freak and find recovery a bit hard to fit in or achieve, this product could be a great alternative for you.