Tech review: Everything You need to know about the Hyperice Venom Go recovery device

When it comes to recovery after exercise or injury, heat and vibration are two highly recommended treatment protocols, and you get both in the innovative new Hyperice Venom Go.

Heated massage may help to relieve stiffness and soreness by promoting vasodilation in the treated area to improve circulation. This effect is useful during a warmup before exercise, or to help relieve muscle pain, tension, and tightness.

With regard to temperature-based recovery modalities, combining heat and cold in a periodised contrasting protocol is often highly recommended, particularly to support recovery from injury.

Devices in the Hyperice heat therapy category, which include the Venom Go, incorporate HyperHeat™ technology for a fast and consistent way to apply heat to specific areas to relieve sore, stiff muscles and promote wellness.

And vibration – another feature of the Hyperice Venom Go – is also a research-backed way to enhance recovery.

A study published in the Journal Clinical Diagnostic Research concluded that: “Vibration therapy and massage are equally effective in prevention of DOMS.” and that “vibration therapy shows clinically early reduction of pain and is effective in decreasing the level of LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) in 48 hours post exercise periods”.

READ MORE | 5 Simple Steps To Improve Your Post-Workout Recovery Routine

Targeted application

The Venom Go advances the capabilities of the Venom line with the ability to precisely apply heat and vibration spot treatment to specific areas, such as the neck, shoulder, upper and lower back, calf and forearm.

The Venom Go consists of a control pod that magnetically connects to an adhesive pad that you can precisely apply directly to the skin.

The reusable Venom Go pads last approximately 20+ applications each, depending where on your body you place them and whether they come into contact with sweat, lotion or oil on the skin.

You receive three pads with the Venom Go pod and can purchase additional refill packs that also contain three reusable pads.

Each pad covers 87 cm², allowing users to apply direct treatment to more areas of the body than its predecessor, the Venom.

The Venom Go offers 3 levels of heat, and 3 levels of vibration. The three modes of vibration include

1. Constant vibration
2. Pulsing vibration
3. Pattern vibration (4 quick pulses and then one long pulse)

The Venom Go can reach up to 45°C in 90 seconds once connected to the pad on the skin, or just 20 seconds prior to being applied to the skin. The Venom Go heat temperatures levels are:

1. 40°C
2. 43°C
3. 45°C

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Intuitive user experience

The Venom Go is easy to set up and use out of the box. Following a quick charge, we were able to dive straight into a heat and vibration recovery session – there is no set-up or configuration available.

Turning on the device is intuitive and easy – simply press and hold the big power button on the front of the pod for 0.5s. When the device turns on, the H logo lights up in red.

Users then set their desired heat and/or vibration levels via dedicated buttons on either side of the pod, with indicator lights showing the intensity selected. You can also cycle through different levels while the session is in progress.

The temperature icon button is found on the left side of the device with the vibration icon button on the right side. Users can also select heat- or vibration-only treatments. The device automatically stops once a treatment session is finished.

Those looking for more advanced applications can control the Venom Go via the Hyperice App, which offers the ability to sync multiple pods via Bluetooth connectivity to deliver spot treatments across different areas of the body simultaneously for a tailored heat and vibration therapy experience.

You can also increase the time of your session up to 30 minutes via the app or adjust your temperature.

READ MORE | 5 Ways You’re Limiting Recovery

Convenient recovery companion

You charge the Venom Go via a USB connection included in the box. A full charge from flat takes three hours while 90 minutes will achieve an 80% charge, according to manufacturer claims.

Battery life lasts up to 60 minutes on a full charge depending on the heat and vibration levels selected.

A standard session runs for 10 minutes, with battery life of up to 60 minutes on Level 1 Heat + Constant Vibration mode. Multiple level 3 heat and vibration sessions understandably drained the battery quicker – 40 minutes of battery life according to manufacturer claims.

An LED on the pod indicates remaining battery life:

• Green: 100-80% charged
• Yellow: 80-20% charged
• Orange: 20%-0%

The control pod and pad weighs just 90 g, which makes it easy to carry with you wherever you go, whether its is recovery while travelling or warming up muscles before training.

The device is also approved by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the US for use while traveling.

You can learn more about the Hyperice heat range or recovery products, or purchase the Hyperice Venom Go from www.hyperice.co.za. The Venom Go is available for R 2,799, with a pad refill pack costing R649.