The Rally Orbital Massager Is Better Than Any Massage Gun I’ve Owned
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I’ve tried all kinds ofmassage gunsfrom top brands like Hyperice, Therabody, and TriggerPoint. While those traditional high-intensity devices definitely have their place in therecovery toolecosystem — especially our best overall, Hyperice’sHypervolt 2 Pro— after stumbling upon Rally, I fear I’ve found another massager I can’t live without. I’m picking up my (more aggressive) massage guns a lot less and using my Rally on a daily basis after my runs and Pilates classes. The unique orbital massager is unlike any other option on the market because it moves in continuous circles. After almost two months of testing, here are my thoughts.
The orbital motion makes it gentler (and work faster) than its competitors
Compared with other massage guns, which utilize percussion, the Rally is a bit different, providing an orbital-motion massage, which means it rotates in a circular path. While testing it, I immediately noticed that the Rally feels similar to how a professional massage therapist works on my pain points because the device oscillates smoothly, almost gliding with your muscles, rather than beating down on them. It had me thinking,Why did we ever think jackhammering our muscles was a good idea for fascia release?I’m sure high-intensity percussive massage guns will always have their place, but with the Rally, I’m starting to believe that less is more when it comes to my recovery process. My muscles seem to respond better to sustained pressure — similar to foam rolling — not extreme force. Rather than flinching or gritting my teeth through the pounding, I’m able to relax on the couch with my Rally as it easily loosens soreness and tension.
The way you hold the Rally can impact the type of massage you’re getting, too: holding the device face on leads to an orbital sensation that I consider gentler; when the Rally is at more of an angle, it creates a deeper, percussive-like massage. Even at an angle, if you’re accustomed to hardcore massage guns, the Rally might take some getting used to, since all in all, you might not think it’s intense enough. It’s definitely still working, though, increasing circulation and reducing stiffness, and because it offers much smoother relief, I find myself wanting to use it for longer.
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With speeds up to 3,200 RPM (revolutions per minute), the Rally is actually faster than the Hypervolt 2 Pro’s 2,700 PPM (percussions per minute). It has three speeds: low (1,600 RPM), medium (2,400 RPM), and high (3,200 RPM). I’m usually satisfied using just the low setting for tender areas like my arches and the medium to high settings for larger muscle groups like my quads and glutes.
The design works well for large muscle groups
While the Rally might look hefty or cumbersome to hold, I found its design surprisingly comfortable to use. At 2.4 pounds, the device is slightly lighter than the Hypervolt 2 Pro, which weighs 2.6 pounds. The long and thick shaft makes it intuitive to maneuver to hard-to-reach areas, like my low back and shoulder blades. It also features three attachments, including the Flat for even pressure, the Peak for targeting knots, and the Echo for mimicking lymphatic drainage. None of the attachments really gave me pinpoint pressure for focusing on an exact spot, but that also meant I was never left shuddering in discomfort. While it’s possible to apply more direct pressure with the Rally at an angle, where it shines is with large muscle groups or a general area, such as my hamstrings or the bottoms of my feet. That way, they receive consistent, smooth contact that provides effective relief.
The Rally comes with a charging dock, which clicks into place, thanks to the charger’s magnetic base and honestly looks pretty sleek sitting out in our living room. Whether you’re a professional athlete like my boyfriend or just enjoying working out to feel better, Rally’s orbital massager is the perfect way to melt away tension in large muscle groups, increase blood flow, and ensure you’re not bruising your bones along the way.
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