Having been doing more skiing than cycling this winter, I started getting aches and pains in my knees. In need of something more specialised than the Hypervolt Go 2 to alleviate my new, I reached out to Hyperice to try their new product, the Hyperice X Knee 2, which is designed to ease discomfort in and around the knee.
About the Hyperice X 2 Knee
The Hyperice X Knee 2 can be described as a compression knee brace that applies air compression and a mixture of heat or cold to alleviate your pain in and around your knee joint. To quote Hyperice, it is “a fully electronic contrast therapy device that delivers next-level performance with deeper cold, more powerful heat, and built-in compression.”
This approach to recovery is called “contrast therapy.” Contrast therapy has been used by athletes for a long time now. Athletes expose themselves to extreme heat and extreme cold in order to reduce swelling and treat pain, with the goal being to aid recovery.
By changing the temperature between hot and cold, this helps alleviate pain by increasing blood flow, which in turn is designed to aid recovery. As Hyperice notes, it is an “all-in-one contrast therapy device with powerful heat, deep cold, and compression for recovery.”
The technical specifications are as follows:
- 5 levels of heat, from 40°C to 49°C
- 5 levels of cold, from 15°C to 4°C
- 5 levels of compression, 80 mmHg to 160 mmHg
- Weight 1.1 kgs / 2.5lbs
- Battery life – 1.5 hours on max settings (longer life on lower settings)
- Travel ready – TSA friendly for carry-on
- Bluetooth® to connect to the Hyperice app
Costs and what you get
Priced at £399 / $449USD / $599 CAD, this is a premium product that comes impressively packaged with:
- AC cable + 12V charger.
- 2 extenders to adjust the length of the straps, to ensure the device can fit any sized leg.
- Instruction manual.
How it works
Simply strap the device around the knee that you want to target and secure it in place with the Velcro straps. If you have wider legs, like myself, you may need to attach the Velcro extenders. It is that easy to wear and once in place, there are only five buttons to press and one of these is the on/off switch.
Turn it on by pressing the on/off button, holding for 0.5 seconds. The OLED will illuminate to indicate it is turned on, and you can adjust the settings by pressing the smaller remaining buttons which have appropriate icons to depict what you are adjusting. One controls the compression intensity, the other two select the hot or cold temperatures. By pressing each button, you cycle through the options. There are five levels of heat, five levels of cold. The final button is the start button that is also used to pause the session when pressed a second time. Once you have pressed the start button, you can adjust the time using the third small button, and the time can be incremented by 5 minutes.
The options selected are displayed clearly via an OLED display and using the device is really intuitive. There was no need to read the instruction manual that is included. Like other Hyperice products, this is so easy to use and works out of the box, with two of the buttons having large icons that depict what they do.
If you don’t want to press buttons, the device has Bluetooth functionality and can be controlled via the Hyperice app. There is a clear graphical user interface that allows you to adjust the settings using a slider.
The battery life is also good, allowing you to undertake multiple sessions totalling roughly 90 minutes, without needing to recharge it. There are lights to indicate the level of charge remaining and I never let it get very low before recharging. The charging pack is large, which means if you are to take it with you when traveling to a sporting event, it will take up more space than the Normatec Go, but like the Normatec Go, it is safe to transport in your hand luggage on a plane as it is TSA approved. It is important to note that you can also use the device when plugged into the mains power, so if you have forgotten to charge it, you can still use it by plugging directly into the mains power.
In terms of the design, it is similar to the Normatec Go that I have previously reviewed, and by keeping a consistent and similar theme across their products, users like me who have similar Hyperice products, will instantly know how it works. And because it is so easy, it won’t take new users any time to realise how to adjust the settings to get the most out of the device.
This simplicity, in terms of functionality, is a recurring theme across their range and is a unique selling point.
How I use it
When you strap the Hyperice X 2 onto your leg, you are not going to be able to move very freely as your knee is going to be restricted, therefore you will need to be seated. It works best if you are able to stretch out your leg. If you have a reclining chair strategically near the television, that is optimal because you can stretch out your leg and put on a Netflix show. With varying programmable massage session lengths, the longest being 30 minutes, this fits in well with the typical length of a Netflix episode.
I have been using it for 20 minutes on one knee, before swapping it to the next. Personally speaking, this replaces the need for me to put ice packs on my aching joints.
When do I use it?
The Hyperice X 2 has come into its own recently. Having had multiple ski days where my legs and in particular my knees have taken a bit of punishment, followed by some high power, low cadence reps on the indoor trainer, I have been using it to ease the aches that I have been experiencing. I use this post exercise, predominantly with the colder session to help reduce inflammation.
You could use the device pre-workout to help loosen the muscles by using the heat function, but I don’t have the time prior to do this.
Noise
With five fans providing the cooling, coupled with the compression functionality, it is not overly loud, but it’s not silent either and there is a distinct hum. When heat is being applied, it is quieter as the fans are not in use. Ultimately, it is not something that is going to distract you if using when watching television.
What difference does it make?
I think there is a noticeable difference, I appreciate this is subjective but because the device extends above and below your knee, you do feel the benefits around your upper thigh too.
Hyperice note that the benefits include:
- Helping reduces pain, inflammation and swelling
- Helping improve mobility and joint stiffness
- Supporting rehabilitation from injuries
- Provides targeted treatment and ensures consistent temperature throughout the session, unlike traditional ice packs that warm up.
Hyperice notes that this can be used for conditions like ligament strain, tendinitis and arthritis, however I would always advise discussing this with your doctor or appropriate medical professional before using such as product.
Summing up
In conclusion, the Hyperice X 2 Knee offers an innovative and effective solution for alleviating knee pain through its advanced contrast therapy features, making it a valuable tool for athletes and anyone seeking relief from joint discomfort. Its user-friendly design and functionality provide a convenient method to alleviate those aches and pains. The only drawback is that it could be considered expensive, however it would only take a couple of trips to a spa or massage therapist to recoup these costs.
To purchase the Hyperice X 2 Knee click here.
