The Normatec Lower Legs offer instant relief for sore calves. But with an RRP of $399 / £429, are they worth the punt?
The Hyperice Normatec Lower Legs (known as the Normatec Go in the US) is a portable compression gadget offers tailored, effective relief for fatigued calves. While its effectiveness justifies the investment, the budget-conscious might want to explore more affordable alternatives like massage guns.
Men’s Fitness verdict
Though pricey, there’s no doubting these Normatec Lower Legs offer effective relief to fatigued calves. Though we wonder how many will notice a benefit over cheaper massage guns.- Easy to set up and use
- Light and portable; ideal for travel or use on the go
- Seven adjustable compression levels for tailored relief
- Can be used with or without the companion app
- Expensive for a device that only targets the calves
- Requires regular sessions for best results
Whether you’re a part-time fitness buff or a pro athlete, no doubt you’ve noticed that workouts demand a lot from our calves. As the unsung heroes of our muscular makeup, they’re usually the first place delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) hit – especially after leg day. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, here’s all you need to know about DOMS.
Recognising this, recovery brand Hyperice launched a more portable version of its iconic Legs 3 full-length compression boots. The Normatec Lower Legs (buy now UK) or Normatec Go (buy now US) is designed to focus solely on the calves. his nifty post-workout gizmo boasts dynamic air compression tech that can help enhance circulation, reduce muscle soreness and accelerate recovery times. All without the need to be plugged into a nearby electrical socket.
But with a price tag of $399 / £429, are the Normatec Lower Legs worth the investment?
Hyperice Normatec Lower Legs design
The Hyperice Normatec Lower Legs certainly stands out where portable recovery gadgets are concerned. Especially when you take into consideration the device’s well-thought-out and practical design. Each leg sleeve weighs just 540g, making the gadget one of the lightest compression tools on the market. This is important for athletes and fitness enthusiasts who are always on the move and need a recovery solution that won’t weigh them down.
When it comes to real-life usage, the sleeves are a breeze to operate. The integration of the control units directly onto the sleeves and not as a separate, wired unit (as seen on the brand’s full-size offering) eliminates the need for external pumps or wires, which feels liberating. This self-contained system not only makes the Normatec Lower Legs more portable, but it also helps simplify the user experience. You can wrap the sleeves around your calves, secure them with the robust Velcro fastenings and start your recovery session with just a few taps on the built-in interface.
The sleeves are crafted from a durable, high-quality material that feels comfortable against the skin. They’re designed to be worn while seated but you can still move around lightly during use. That gives you the freedom to go about your day without being tethered to one spot like with traditional, bulkier compression devices. They will fit over relatively tight, thin clothing or the best compression tights.
There’s genuinely nothing else quite like these on the market. Nothing as portable, anyway. While there are plenty of iterations of the Normatec 3 Legs, which target the entire leg (such as the slightly cheaper MyoMaster MioAir compression boots), nothing offers the same portability or direct targeting of the calves.
Hyperice Normatec Lower Legs performance
The Normatec Lower Legs don’t come cheap, but they do prove their worth when it comes to performance. In my experience, the sleeves’ ability to deliver targeted dynamic air compression was invaluable. It meant they could alleviate any muscle fatigue in my calves considerably to accelerate recovery.
I also enjoyed how each recovery session can be customised with seven different compression levels. That means users can tailor the intensity according to their personal recovery needs. That can also be used to cater to different tolerance levels and recovery goals. You can choose from a light soothing pressure after a casual workout to more intense compression for serious athletes dealing with heavy muscle load.
Compression levels
During testing, I experimented with various settings after different types of physical activities. That included running, cycling and even after lots of walking or long periods of standing. The lower settings offered more of a gentle, relaxing massage that helped ease the day’s wear and tear – ideal for routine maintenance. The higher settings offered a much deeper and intense level of compression. I found that more beneficial after intense exercise sessions. While the lower settings were pleasant, the higher settings really helped to reduce the feeling of soreness and tightness in my calves, and I noticed a quicker return to normality.
What sets the Normatec Lower Legs apart is not just the range of settings but the quality of the compression. The sleeves use quite a sophisticated pulsating technique. Hyperice claims it mimics natural muscle contractions to promote better blood flow and therefore faster elimination of metabolic waste from the muscles. This method, the brand says, is scientifically designed to enhance recovery by increasing circulation and reducing swelling.
While it’s not easy to quantify these claims, other than my own experience, I can say that I found using the Normatec Lower Legs had a significant impact on the DOMS in my calves after working out. They definitely seemed to snap back to their normal state much quicker than when I don’t use the device.
Hyperice Normatec Lower Legs disadvantages
While the Normatec Lower Legs succeed in portability and targeted compression, they could be improved by covering a little more of the leg. Or perhaps Hyperice could offer a version that’s still wireless but includes the thighs for those needing more comprehensive leg recovery.
Price point is another potential area of improvement. At $399 / £429, they don’t come cheap, and that’s likely to be the main barrier for many potential users. Introducing a more affordable entry-level model could widen their appeal. In the meantime, there’s always massage guns, which do a very similar job, although not quite as targeted.
Another niggle is related to the Hyperice companion app. While useful, I do feel it could include more customisable recovery programmes and detailed feedback on session results. That might also help justify the high cost.
