What is the Vyper?

They Hyperice Vyper 2.0 vibrating foam roller is the second generation of Hyperice’s revolutionary foam roller. A foam roller is a self-massage tool that can be used before a workout to warm up and increase mobility and after a workout to reduce muscle soreness and stiffness for better recovery. Foam rollers are typically foam cylinders with a 5-6 inch diameter. Different foam rollers vary in firmness and exterior texture. Hyperice designed and launched the Vyper foam roller to be the first of it’s kind to integrate vibration in the recovery process. The Vyper 2.0 the newest iteration to their initial foam roller. The Vyper 2.0 is a foam roller that features three levels of vibration to help loosen and lengthen muscles and further promote circulation. The vibrations promote an increase in bloodflow and support recovery more effectively than a traditional foam roller. 

What muscles can you foam roll?

Foam rollers can be used on quite literally, the entire body. If you are able to position your body onto the foam roller with the area you’d like to target, than you can effectively roll it out. However, there are certainly areas that are more commonly targeted than others for those who actively foam roll before or after a workout. Calves, feet, glutes, hamstrings, lats, lower back, pecs, IT bands, and quads are all popular areas. If you’re not sure how to properly target each of these areas, Hyperice has put together a series of instructional videos to assist, which you can view on their YouTube channel.

One area that is commonly suggested that users avoid when foam rolling is the lower back. This is because the lower back does not have the same amount of support as the upper back, due to a lack of support from the rib cage. However, there is varying information on foam rolling this area of your body. Our recommendation is that if you are purchasing a foam roller specifically for your lower back, you should consult a therapist of physician before doing so.

Foam Roller Benefits

The benefits of foam rolling are widely known by many people and most commonly assumed to provide myofascial release, however few know the reasons behind the value of adding vibration into the equation. To simplify, the body’s muscular system functions as a result of connective tissue that provides a network of support and structure for the body. This connective tissue is known as the fascia. The fascia in our bodies determines how we move, our perception of pain, our posture and the overall functionality of our muscular system. When our fascia is compressed through the application of pressure from foam rolling, the golgi tendon organs are stimulated which provides an inhibitory effect on the muscle spindles, allowing for better tissue flexibility. This is commonly referred to as myofascial release, which ultimately prevents muscle aches, improves recovery of the muscles, increases physical mobility, flexibility and thereby our performance.

Combining vibration at a certain frequency with the pressure and muscle stimulation from foam rolling, the nervous system is inhibited as the muscle spindle has a difficult time responding to frequency over 60 HZ. This increases flexibility and range of motion, which should be utilized as part of movement preparation prior to performing a dynamic warm up. Foam rolling and vibration post-activity also helps the muscle recover quicker and improves restoration of the loss of range of motion, which naturally occurs with intense activity. 

The foam roller itself is an optimal self myofascial release tool used to increase flexibility, circulation, and reduce muscle soreness. Vibrating foam rollers are said to be two times more effective than regular foam rollers for warming up and actively recovering. Foam rolling can increase your range of motion up to 18%, but when utilizing a vibrating foam roller such as the Vyper 2.0, users can expect a range of motion increase of up to 40%! Vibration also increases circulation making a vibrating foam roller ideal for warming up the body before physical activity.

The Vyper by Hyperice is the first tool that successfully combines high-intensity vibration with a compact outer shell, or “foam” roller, to deliver these optimal results. The Vyper 2.0 uses a rechargeable high-powered lithium ion battery to deliver three different frequency levels through a high-performance air injected polypropylene shell. It’s designed to lengthen muscles and increase circulation, helping reduce soreness and stiffness in muscles for better recovery. The Vyper 2.0 takes the experience of “foam rolling” to another level, and is used by several of the world’s elite professional athletes.

Specifications

• Available in four colors: black, red, green, grey camo and red camo
• Three Vibration frequency levels: 45, 68, 92 HZ
• Most powerful vibrating roller on the market, maintains its superior amplitude and G-force even when body mass is applied. (6.9, 7.8, and 8.8 G-Force)
• Dual-zoned exterior shell: smoothed and grooved exterior design for a more customized roll
• All digital circuitry controls 3 high-intensity vibrating speed settings
• Poly-propylene outer shell transfers maximum vibration
• Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries give over 2 hours of use per charge
• Travel-friendly, TSA approved as carry-on
• 12 inches in length x 5.5 inch diameter

Which Foam Roller Is Right For You?

Unfortunately there’s no hard and fast rule as to what the best foam roller is for everyone. We certainly have our recommendations (you can read all of our research and reviews here), but to get the best answer you’re just going to have to try a few different types out. The Vyper is not a roller that is designed for the faint of heart. By that we mean that it is a rather aggressive foam rolling experience – both from it’s intense vibrations but also from it’s very firm surface. As a starting point to determine what firmness you may prefer, a great place to start is by going to stores such as Walmart and Target and checking out the foam rollers they have for sale and testing them out in store. Some people are very sensitive and may want to explore a roller with a softer surface, and some may prefer a harder surface that allows them to roll more aggressively. While we view the Vyper 2.0 as one of the top vibrating foam rollers on the market, you may find something else that better suits your individual needs.