Massage is generally good. Not only for well-being, but also generally good for your body..
A trained masseuse who really knows her stuff, that must be the ultimate solution. However, there are a few challenges to that thesis. It is both expensive and time-consuming if you have to get a massage every day or even every other day. But what is the next best thing?
You could consider a massage gun.
There are now a lot of different, both good and bad, massage guns on the market. In fact, this article/test is the second we have done of a massage gun. You might be cheeky to call this test a re-review, since it is a test of a large and small version of almost the same product. Or at least that is what we find out in the following.
Iloebesko.dk has previously tested the Flowlife Flowgun (REMEMBER REMEMBER REMEMBER link) but now it’s the turn of its little brother. The article here is based on the Flowlife Flowgun Pocket. As the name suggests, it is a “pocket model” of the popular and really strong Flowgun from Flowlife. But we can already reveal it. Don’t let the name fool you. Just because you’re smaller, you can certainly be strong.
Watch our video review of the Flowgun Pocket
Here’s what we said the first time we saw the Flowgun Pocket
What to note about the Flowgun Pocket
You should be aware that you are getting a really powerful machine in a pocket size. Joking aside, I really can promise that you will be surprised at how much power comes out of such a small Pocket Flowgun.
You should note that in the “large” Flowgun you get 2 more massage heads than you do in the Flowgun Pocket. There are 4 heads in the Pocket model. However, you should be prepared that there are not quite as many strength levels in the small model as in the large one. In the Pocket version you have to make do with 3 levels.
I don’t have the exact numbers (sorry) but there is also a difference in battery life. So you don’t get quite the same life in the small Flowgun as in the large one.
Advantages and disadvantages of Flowgun Pocket
Below you will find a few selected advantages and disadvantages of the Flowgun Pocket.
Benefits
The flexibility
Everyone in our family can use it. I love that flexibility. I owned the original Flowgun for a year and a half before I bought a Flowgun Pocket. And I have to say that the flexibility of the Pocket is so much greater. It can be taken to work, it can be taken to sports and there is room for it in the backpack on longer hikes.
Refund everywhere
It's so nice to just be able to bring your "own masseuse" with you when you've been to a sport. Flowgun Pocket is small and compact. Easy to carry, and very neutral to use.
The price
The price is down to where you can call it "family friendly". The original Flowgun which costs 3900 SEK is on the expensive end. And will probably scare some from buying it. The Flowgun Pocket is down to a price called 2300 SEK, and that is much more palatable for most people.
The ease
500 grams doesn't sound like much, but it is. That's when you need to massage your neck, or it's smaller arms that use the gun. The lightweight Flowgun Pocket is definitely a hit with our two boys, who can use this massage gun without any problems. Of course, without it becoming a test of strength every time.
Disadvantages
The power
I think the power in the Flowgun Pocket is good when you look at that size. So the question is whether it's actually a disadvantage when I write here. But if you look at its two big brothers, Flowgun and Flowgun GO, you have to settle a little bit in the Flowgun Pocket. It's never fun to settle.
Battery life
I think it's naturally related to the size of the gun. But sometimes I find myself wishing for a little longer battery life.
Briefly about recovery massage
Same history as last time….
Recovery is important. In fact, almost as important as your training. It is through recovery that your muscles rebuild and become stronger. If you have broken down your muscles, your body naturally thinks that next time I will be stronger. So your muscles build stronger.
The bad thing about recovery is the waiting time. You can’t wait, you just want to train again. That’s how many people think, but unfortunately it’s also the mindset that many people burn out on. If you don’t remember to recover properly, injuries and defects will occur faster.
But this is where your Flowgun Pocket can really help you. Massage (recovery massage) on damaged muscles increases blood circulation. When your blood circulation increases, there is more oxygen for your muscles. With better and more oxygen supply, your muscles heal better. This way you can achieve faster recovery by using the Flowgun Pocket..
Your muscles will simply have better working conditions if you help them along a little with a little massage.
Who is Flowlife?
Flowlife is Swedish. A company that specializes in giving you flow in life. Flowlife actually started by manufacturing products for the industrial world, but has now moved into the private market.
Flowlife helps you, among other things, with treatment, easier exercise habits, better quality of life and of course increased recovery.
They do this by producing quality products that help you on your way. What the vast majority of Flowlife’s products have in common is that they are aimed at everyone. So it doesn’t matter if you are an athlete or not! It doesn’t matter if you compete at a high or lower level. Everyone can achieve a better flow with their products. On this page we have tested their products, among other things. Flowfeet. A foot massage machine you can have at home.
The best compact massage gun?
There are so many different types of massage guns out there now. The market has exploded over the last few years..
Is the Flowgun Pocket the best compact massage gun? I don’t really know, as I haven’t tried them all. But with the ones I’ve tried on my own body, there’s no doubt. The Flowgun Pocket is really a hot little sa.. when you consider its size and weight.
I can easily see and feel that there are more options in the regular Flowgun, but when it comes to compact massage guns, the Flowgun Pocket is unique in my opinion.
Flowgun Pocket vs. Flowgun
We have compared the 2 massage guns from Flowlife that we have had our hands on. The list is not exhaustive, but just a selection that we have assessed as relevant.
WEIGHT
An important thing when you have to work with massage in, for example, the neck. If you have to carry the gun yourself, the weight really matters. And here in my world there is a big difference. Flowgun weighs about twice as much as Flowgun Pocket.
Flowgun = 998 gram
Flowgun Pocket = 536 gram
BOX CONTENTS
There is not that much difference. But you get 2 more massage heads in the regular Flowgun. Otherwise the contents are identical.
PRICE
There is a huge difference in price. but of course it is also 2 different products you buy. If you ask me, it is a “Premium” model and a “Family” model. That may sound negative, but it is not. Flowlife is known for their excellent quality, so their “Family” model is at full lap height, and maybe even higher than other good brands on the market.
Flowgun = 3990 SEK
Flowgun Pocket = 2290 SEK
Find the course here and see what you have to give in Danish kroner
USE
Basically, both guns provide massage. So the use must be the same. Not quite. Because when something is smaller and more compact, it gives you more or different options.
Flowgun Pocket is for us more for everyday use, whereas the regular Flowgun is for selected times.
STRENGTH & POWER
There is a difference, of course there is. There is a 140 watt difference in performance between the 2 massage guns. Flowgun starts with 240 watt, where Flowgun Pocket starts with 100 watt.
Revolutions per minute. They can both reach a full 3200 revolutions per minute. The difference here is that the Flowgun starts at 1400, where the Pocket model starts at 2000. So you can be more precise in the regular Flowgun.
There is a difference of 2 levels on the two massage guns. Flowgun has 5 different levels, and Flowgun Pocket has “only” 3.
STORAGE
It goes without saying that a larger gun takes up more space. But I think the “travel aspect” is especially worth noting. Here there is a significant difference in space (size of the storage boxes)
Flowgun = 30cm x 24cm x 8cm
Flowgun Pocket = 22cm x 22cm x 6cm
You can also watch our comparison video below.
Flexibility of Flowgun Pocket
Personally, I think the Flowgun Pocket has a lot more flexibility. And that’s purely because of its size and weight. It’s just a lot easier to carry this little gun around..
When I’m on one of my long walks, 500 grams means a lot. The Flowgun Pocket weighs less than the regular Flowgun. And those 500 grams really mean a lot when we’re talking walks of +40km.
The size is of course also very important. It can be in a pocket, or it takes up significantly less space in the backpack. And if I have to draw a conclusion again in relation to my longer walks. Then I can easily find other things that can fit in the backpack. So you can of course ask why I don’t just leave that gun at home? I could easily do that, but when you hit +40 kilometers, a massage in the lower back and neck can be your salvation if you look into 40 km more.
Another form of flexibility is who can use it. At home, my two boys can’t stand sitting with the big Flowgun for very long at a time. The Pocket model is much better suited for that. It’s much more flexible to use.
We have made a short video showing what’s in the box and how you can easily get started using Flowgun Pocket.
Compact massage gun in action
As you have probably already concluded, I see much more flexibility in the Flowgun Pocket than in my regular Flowgun.
You know those days when you wake up with a sore neck? It’s a nice freedom to be able to just stick a compact massage gun in your bag.
When you go on long trips (training for the Mammoth march) it is a luxury to be able to take a gun like the Flowgun Pocket with you. When you go on trips over 40-50 kilometers. Then you easily discover muscles that can do nonsense. The gun of course takes up a little space, and also gives a little extra weight (500-600 grams) but I am happy to live with that. Because even though the extra weight is annoying, it provides several benefits. Massage along the way can be a gift if your muscles have started to “cramp”
About the Author:
En passioneret løber der elsker at nørde med både løbesko, og selvfølgelig også alt det fysiologiske omkring det at løbe. Ja, jeg har rigeligt med løbesko, det siger min kone i hvert fald. Men jeg kan altså ikke lade være.....