Body pain is a fact of life nowadays as most people spend their days sitting in front of the computer with a bad posture. While professional massages are perfect for minimising the pain, the fact is that not everyone has the time nor the budget to make this happen.
Fortunately, the vibrating foam roller technology has advanced to a point where you can enjoy the benefit of deep-tissue massage right in the comfort of your home. The TriggerPoint Grid Vibe Plus Vibrating Foam Roller is one such device and I had the honor of testing it out.
Is it worth the price? I’ll tell you all about it in this detailed review:
Overview of the TriggerPoint Grid Vibe Plus Vibration Foam Roller
The TriggerPoint Grid Vibe Plus Vibrating Foam Roller is a brand-new offering from TriggerPoint – one of the more prominent brands when it comes to foam rollers.
The Grid Vibe Plus is actually an improvement over an existing model under the same brand. When viewed side by side with other foam roller models however, you can easily tell that TriggerPoint’s offering is far from the cookie-cutter design by other manufacturers today. What makes it different? Here’s what you should know.
A Closer Look at the Features of the TriggerPoint Grid Vibe Plus Vibrating Foam Roller
4 Speed Options
Most vibrating foam rollers today can only go up to 3 when it comes to intensity. This is why I was really intrigued when I saw that the TriggerPoint Grid Vibe Plus comes with 4 different intensity settings. Level 2 and 3 are enough to help with some of the more painful areas like the thighs and calves.
Level 4 however works best for the more awkward spots in the body. I find that the added intensity of Level 4 is perfect for spots that need more attention – like the upper back. For really sore spots where there’s a concentration of muscles, Level 4 is really the best option for a deep and satisfying massage.
Foam Firmness
The product is just medium-firm. I’ve definitely seen some foam rollers with a higher density but the lower density actually works in favor of the TriggerPoint Grid Vibe Plus. I find that the mid-density works well when matched with the Level 4 intensity.
Any firmer and I suspect the vibrating foam roller would actually feel like a rock at the maximum setting. At this level of hardness, the intensity of the massage – even at Level 4 – is just right. If you want something with additional density however, there’s an extra firm model being offered by TriggerPoint.
Long Service Life
In terms of massage rollers, I’m pretty happy with the 2-hour usable time of the product once it’s fully charged. Since I only use mine for a few minutes at a time on different body parts, the 2 hours are more than enough to hit all the areas causing me problems.
The charging time takes longer though – taking up to 3 hours if you’re starting empty. The charging cable can be completely detached from the foam roller so once it’s fully charged – you can leave the charging cable at home for convenience.
Targeted Massages
If you owned a vibrating foam roller before, you’ll easily note that the TriggerPoint Grid Vibe Plus is smaller than usual. It has a measurement of 12 inches by 3.5 inches and weighs just 2.5 pounds or 1.2 kilograms. You might think this is a disadvantage, but the smaller size actually makes for more targeted massages.
I can put it in places where the muscles really need some work and get the direct attention I want. While it’s not as good as the hands of a professional masseuse, it gives you an excellent degree of freedom when manipulating the roller around.
Grid Surface for Air Flow
The grid-like surface is there to make sure enough air flows through in between while the foam roller is being used. I have to say that the grids and grooves on the TriggerPoint Grid Vibe Plus are slightly larger than the other models in the market today.
This makes for better air flow so the roller can be used for longer periods of time. Combined with the smaller size of the unit, the larger grids also mean additional targeted rolling so that you can really push forward on those sore muscles.
Easy to Use
The product comes with a user manual but if you used a foam roller before, you can pretty much use it out of the box. There’s an indicator for the battery life and the intensity of the vibration therapy. A simple on and off switch can be located at the end of the foam roller.
The charging port is located in the same end although you have to take note that this does not use a USB type charger. I really prefer the USB type since the charger is very easy to replace if I lose it. Still, the TriggerPoint Grid Vibe Plus makes up for it with its ease of use.
Durable Build
The test of time is also something the TriggerPoint Grid Vibe Plus managed to withstand. While I haven’t been using it for years – it’s safe to say that the model can last through heavy use and consistent charge-recharge cycles. The EVA foam is such that it doesn’t lose its firmness over time and still provides that same satisfying deep-tissue massage when given proper weight.
Pro and Cons
- Adjustable intensity makes it ideal for different levels of use.
- Compact build makes it very easy to take to the gym or anywhere else. The model can conveniently fit inside a typical backpack or a gym bag.
- Comes with an AC charger that can be hidden away when the product is in use
- Quiet when used – you can watch television without putting the volume on high
- Perfect for targeted use thanks to its small size
- The density is medium and there’s no extra-firm version of this particular model
- It takes a fairly long time to charge – around 3 hours to be full.
- The model itself doesn’t come with a convenient bag
Benefits of the TriggerPoint Grid Vibe Plus Vibrating Foam Roller
The TriggerPoint Grid Vibe Plus definitely has several benefits starting with its 4 speed intensities. When appreciated together with the patented grid-like structure of the foam surface, you can get really good and targeted massages for the whole body.
It seems as though the manufacturer built the model specifically to give its users a more satisfying direction during operation. You can tell by the size of the unit which is smaller than most in the market.
The intensity, size of the grid, and the small size of the foam roller itself means you can maneuver it in practically any position for a perfect, targeted massage. It’s like having a massage gun directed towards a particularly sore point while at the same time getting a comprehensive massage for the surrounding muscle groups.
Of course, there’s also the fact that the size of the unit makes it very easy to carry around. It’s small enough that you can fit it in a backpack or a gym bag. When turned on – even at its highest speed setting – the TriggerPoint Grid Vibe Plus is also remarkably quiet. You can use it in the office without disturbing anyone or perhaps use it while watching the television without the sound overpowering your TV speakers.
The vibrating foam roller works for both pre and post-workout problems. Personally, I use it as a way to stretch out my muscles and increase blood flow before actually going into a heavy workout to minimise the chance of injury and reduce the symptoms of DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness).
Afterwards, it’s a great way to relieve any aches and pains I experience when the workout concludes. I also tried using it to target sore spots along the lower back I usually get after a day of working on the computer.
In all instances, the TriggerPoint Grid Vibe Plus works perfectly and gives me instant relief!
Honestly, the only better alternative for the TriggerPoint Grid Vibe Plus is having my very own professional masseuse but that’s not really a possibility. The TriggerPoint Grid Vibe Plus makes up for it – like having your own personal spa at home that’s completely within your control.
You can definitely save up on the cost of a masseuse with the use of this product. At the very least, the model will pay for itself in savings especially if you use it multiple times a week.
Concluding Thoughts
To wrap it up – there’s something about the TriggerPoint Grid Vibe Plus that makes it an excellent choice for people who need frequent targeted care on a routine basis. It is ease of use, recharge capacity, and compact size makes it perfect to bring with you – perhaps in the office or in the gym so you can get a quick massage for onset soreness.
If you’re always on the go, or just value convenience, the TriggerPoint Grid Vibe Plus is recommended.
