Boost Your Body Care Routine with Air Pressure! Introducing Next-Gen Gear From Hyperice

With a mission "to help everyone on Earth move better, live better and be better," Hyperice has been a driving force in the global wellness movement since its founding in 2011. Through its innovative gear using vibration, heat, and compression, the brand supports the self-care and conditioning of top athletes and anyone looking to be their best.

You might already be familiar with the "Hypervolt" series, a powerful percussion massage gun known for its intense vibrations.

Building on that success, Hyperice has now launched the "Normatec Premier Hips" from its "Normatec" line—a next-generation model specifically designed for the hips (glutes and upper thighs).

A Pioneer in the Conditioning and Self-Care Market

The story goes that Hyperice founder Anthony Katz was frustrated by how his post-sport recovery was slowing with age. Back then, self-care was mostly limited to old-school methods like icing—simply applying a bag of ice to sore spots. He was determined to create a more effective, sustainable product that athletes would actually be excited to use.

In collaboration with top athletes and physical therapists, he created a portable ice compression device, marking the beginning of the brand. Since then, Hyperice has continued to roll out innovative gear using vibration, heat, and compression, now beloved by users in over 60 countries.

In 2021, the company was recognized by New York business media "Fast Company" as one of the "World's Most Innovative Companies."

An impressive roster of top athletes, including Naomi Osaka (tennis), Erling Haaland (soccer), Jayson Tatum (basketball), and Rory McIlroy (golf), have joined Team Hyperice. The brand has also partnered with major sports organizations like the NBA, PGA Tour, MLB, and UFC, providing support in various ways, such as supplying products to athletes and setting up dedicated recovery rooms.

The Normatec Series: Harnessing Air Pressure

"The Normatec series is gear that enhances post-workout body care using our patented dynamic air compression technology. The Normatec Premier, our most premium model in the series specializing in leg care, is highly portable. It folds down to fit into the included knapsack, so it's a piece of gear many athletes take with them when they travel. It provides precise pressure to five overlapping zones, the pressure level is adjustable in seven steps, and it even has a function to focus pressure on a specific area," says Masanori Muramatsu of ALCO CO., LTD., which handles Hyperice in Japan.

Originally, Normatec was developed to support people undergoing breast cancer treatment who suffer from lymphedema, a condition caused by the removal of or damage to lymph nodes. Dr. Laura Jacobs, a biomedical engineer, saw great potential in external compression technology, as there were no effective treatments for edema at the time.

To reduce the swelling, Dr. Jacobs developed a compression massage pattern that mimics the muscle pump, the one-way valves of the venous system, and peristalsis (a wave of periodic compression) to efficiently circulate body fluids. The compression system proved remarkably effective, achieving significant therapeutic results. Her son, Gilad Jacobs, recognized that this technology could also benefit athletes and began working closely with them to bring the product to market.

Then, in March 2020, Hyperice acquired Normatec, enabling the company to offer a more comprehensive solution for performance recovery.

"The signature feature is its 360-degree compression that envelops the legs, a sensation quite different from a massage. A typical session is 20 to 30 minutes, with the recommended time ranging from 20 to 60 minutes. What's also great is that you can use it while doing other things, like watching a movie or reading, making self-care easy to fit in."

I had the chance to try the "Normatec Premier," and the pressure was incredibly pleasant. Even among body care devices, it's in a class of its own compared to massage guns or foam rollers; it feels like it actively supports the muscle's pumping action.

While the heart's job is to pump blood throughout the body, the blood sent to the legs must defy gravity to return. This is where the muscle pump, also known as the milking action, becomes crucial. The pumping action of the leg muscles, particularly the calves, squeezes the blood vessels, helping blood flow smoothly back to the heart. You can feel the dynamic air compression supporting this very movement.

Furthermore, it's not just for muscles like the thighs and calves; a pleasant pressure is also applied to joints like the knees and ankles, and even the top of the foot. I felt the stress and fatigue in these areas needing care simply melt away.

A Dynamic Air Compression Device for the Hips

Launched worldwide on October 15, the "Normatec Premier Hip" is specifically designed for the hips and was developed to support the self-care of a wide range of people—from athletes and fitness enthusiasts to those who spend long hours at a desk or behind the wheel.

"Until now, the Normatec series has primarily offered compression massage functions for the legs, but our market research revealed a growing demand for recovery in the glute and upper thigh area. Therefore, we applied our proprietary technology to the hip area and developed the Normatec Premier Hip."

I also had the chance to try the "Normatec Premier Hip," and it provides pleasant compressive stimulation around the lower back and gluteus medius. I think it would be highly suitable for people who tend to experience tightness or fatigue in their lower back and glutes.