Entering my 30s has been a wake-up call for my relationship with my body. Part of me assumed all of the jokes about knee pain and creaking joints were nothing more than exaggeration — surely those things wouldn’t start until I was older (because really, is 30 old?) — but as soon as I crossed the threshold into my 30s it’s like the universe gave my body a green light to start deteriorating.
Gone are the days of being able to run a brisk 5K with no warm-up, especially after a severe ankle injury left me unable to walk unassisted for months. Like all machines, my body is prone to wear and tear, and — if I’m not performing regular maintenance and paying attention to things like proper warm-up and recovery — then my injury risk is unfortunately much higher than I wanted to admit.
Obviously, that meant when Hyperice asked if I wanted to test out its new Normatec Go I jumped at the opportunity. Less than six months post-injury, my legs are still regaining the strength and endurance lost, and I’d heard great things about using compression therapy to help with swelling. Add in the fact that countless athletes swear by compression therapy to improve recovery time and reduce soreness, and I was sold.
What is the Normatec Go?
If you’re a fairly active person, you’ve probably heard of Hyperice’s Normatec series. The main product in this line, the Normatec 3, looks something like a giant puffy snowsuit crossed with footie pajama bottoms. Just zip them up over your legs and they use dynamic air compression to deliver a nice massage. Unfortunately, the Normatec 3 is pretty big and bulky — and, at $799, a little pricey — which is why the Normatec Go is a great alternative for anyone looking to dabble in dynamic air compression without breaking the bank.
The Normatec Go is built with ease and portability in mind. Simply wrap the device around your calves, adhering it snugly with a Velcro closure, and use the built-in controls — or connect it via Bluetooth to Hyperice’s companion app — to start a dynamic air compression massage focused solely on your lower legs.
Using compressed air, the device systematically tightens and loosens around your lower legs to provide a 360-degree compression massage that works over three different overlapping zones. And, with seven different levels of intensity, you can fully customize your experience to suit your personal preference.
What does it feel like?
I’m not going to lie, my first experience with the Normatec Go felt weird. It’s a lot like wearing one of those automated blood pressure cuffs — except it’s wrapped around your calves — and it was definitely an interesting sensation at first. I started my first session at the recommended 15-minute duration and an intensity level of two, which I gradually increased to a four, and sat on the couch while the machine got started.
The pressure starts slowly, and it feels like someone is squeezing and releasing your calves while gradually working from the bottom up. There are three separate zones of compression, but the device comfortably transitions between zones and eventually compresses your entire lower leg — all three zones at once — before releasing and continuing the process.
It doesn’t feel bad or uncomfortable, especially since you can customize the intensity of the compression and the duration of the session, but it did take some getting used to. Once I did adjust to it, however, I was officially sold.
What I loved about the Normatec Go
My first session with the Normatec Go happened in the middle of the day. I hadn’t done much activity, so I wasn’t really using it as a warm-up or recovery tool — it was just a new toy to play around with — which meant I couldn’t really appreciate the benefits of the device. After taking a long walk the next day, however, I grabbed the Normatec Go and wrapped them around my lower legs…and promptly fell in love.
The compression felt unreal after a long cardio session — especially with my chronically tight calves — and I could immediately tell there was an improvement in my overall stiffness and slight swelling once my 15-minute session ended.
By the next day, the Normatec Go was already part of my regular routine. I found myself turning to it after each and every long walk, and I even used it as a way to decompress in bed at the end of a long day. Once I got used to the sensation — and figured out how tightly to wrap the device around my calves — I started experimenting with higher levels of compression and found myself really enjoying the benefits.
My legs felt refreshed after each individual session, and I noticed a decrease in overall soreness even on days when my mileage dramatically increased. Once I got the all-clear from my physical therapist to start running again, I found myself wishing I could use the full version of the Normatec just so my upper legs could get the benefit that my calves were clearly enjoying.
What I didn’t love about the Normatec Go
Honestly, there weren’t many downsides to the Normatec Go. The device was simple and easy to use, and I liked that Hyperice let me choose between manual controls and using the companion app. I’m normally not a huge fan of downloading extra apps to use gear, but it was a thoughtful addition that made sense — especially when you’re laid out, relaxing, and don’t feel like reaching down to increase or decrease the level of compression.
My only complaint was the battery life, which seemed slightly less than the promised three-hour runtime. Most of my sessions fall into the 20- to 25-minute range, and I found that I could only do three sessions before needing to charge the Normatec Go. It wasn’t a dealbreaker, but it was frustrating, especially because the device will stop working mid-session when it enters low battery mode.
Is the Normatec Go worth it?
The $399 price is still a little high for my taste, but it’s significantly cheaper than the Normatec 3. Plus, the quality is incredible. None of the materials felt cheap or breakable, so it definitely feels like you’re paying for a durable, quality product that will last — not just a gimmicky device that will break (or you’ll stop using) in a month.
It might not be the right purchase for occasional users, but if you’re thinking about using the Normatec Go daily then it’s definitely worth the splurge.
