Another massage gun: here’s what the Blackroll «Fascia Gun» can do
1/7/2022
Translation: Julia Graham
The massage gun business has been ticking over for a few years. And now there’s also a Blackroll gun on the scene, which is going after the market share with a gentle rather than brutal approach.
It’s almost strange to think that Blackroll won’t be launching its own massage gun until 2022. After all, the company is all about self-massage, activation and regeneration. At the sports fair OutDoor by ISPO, I got the chance to try out their «Fascia Gun» and check out the areas where the company want to stand out from the competition. Before I start examining the Blackroll model, here are a few general thoughts on this still booming product category.
What are massage guns for?
Five years ago, I’d never heard of massage guns. Fast-forward to today and I’ve picked up plenty of them. From big ones to small ones, flexible and less flexible. At first I was sceptical about the things, but I learned to appreciate them. Even physiotherapy lecturer Prof. Dr. Slavko Rogan has no fundamental concerns as long as there’s no medical reason to avoid them: «They are a resource that can be very helpful in therapy and, they certainly provide support for professionally instructed laypeople,» was his assessment in this interview(article in German). However, more is promised in terms of the effect than has been scientifically proven.
At the end of the day, it’s still a tool for self-massage. And when it comes to tools, a lot of it comes down to who’s holding it. These days, handy devices seem to have the edge when it comes to currying favour with buyers. You can get them in a number of different iterations and price brackets. All that to say, the Blackroll Fascia Gun is joining the ranks of a busy market.
Design and quality
As far as the quality of the finish is concerned, Blackroll products usually give you little cause for complaint – and that’s the way it should be. After all it’s in a high price bracket and the phrase «made in Germany» is usually used to advertise it. However, the fascia gun was only developed in Germany. For context, these devices are probably produced exclusively in Asia.
Personally, I don’t care if the aluminium alloy that’s used comes from aerospace or drinks can production, as it is in this case. But I have to admit that it feels like something valuable, and with its finely milled patterns it sits nicely in your hand. That’s not a unique selling point. I’ve come across cheaper models that were also well made and didn’t look cheap. And yet, I like holding the fascia gun and it’s grippy in all the right places. As always, it’s slightly reminiscent of the original product. The handle size is almost exactly the same as that of a Blackroll Mini. It’s a nice detail, but there’s nothing more to it than that. The verdict? Job done. The quality passes the test.
Speeds and amplitude
The Fascia Gun can be switched on with a patient press of the button at the bottom. You then use the same button to switch through the four speed levels from 1200 to 3200 movements per minute. For the first two, the frequency is below 30 Hz, which is designed more with regeneration in mind and to gently release tension. You can use this to work on a specific part of the body for several minutes. Meanwhile, levels 3 and 4 are for quickly activating muscles before you do sport.
In practice, you just use whichever levels feel comfortable for you at the moment. One of the nicest things about the Fascia Gun is the low amplitude, with each upstroke being 7.5 mm. To put this into perspective, on this three-pack (article in German) of large devices I once tried, it was between 12 and 14 mm. This feels more hammering, which some people will definitely like and find useful. The mollycoddled masses, which I class myself as belonging to, could probably do with the slightly softer, vibrating version. That’s another reason why the more wieldy guns are generally popular.
Volume and vibrations
This low amplitude will also be down to how smooth running the Fascia Gun is. For one thing, it’s whisper-quiet and therefore suitable for living room use, especially on relaxation levels 1 and 2. What’s more, the massage gun doesn’t shake the arm you’re holding it in too much. With some models, you find it can be exhausting to hold them in your hand in the long run. «The vibrations go right up my arm. I couldn’t work with it on patients all day,» explains physiotherapist Sophia Marterer, for instance, in this test (article in German).
You don’t usually get this feeling when using what are classed as the «little ones» with a lower amplitude. Overall, they’re more gentle, and this is also reflected in the «stalling force» – in other words, the blocking force that brings the device to a standstill if you press it really firmly into the tissue. With the Fascia Gun, it’s 14.5 kg. The stalling force of Theragun Pro in the post above is almost twice that.
Attachments
It goes without saying that the usual parts are included. That means a ball for almost everywhere, a fork you can use for things like easing up the left and right of the Achilles tendon, a pointed attachment to work on trigger points and a flat plate for spreading out muscles. They’re all covered with silicone apart from the plate. The advantage of this is it stops you slipping, but equally it means it can pull a bit in hairy areas. Meanwhile, the metallic plate is suitable for use with massage oil.
Other stuff
Depending on the massage level and pressure, the battery lasts for 6 to 15 hours. So you can get a number of massages from a single charge. Talking of charging, the 2600 mAh lithium-ion battery in the Fascia Gun is topped up via USB-C cable, which plugs into the bottom. All in all, the device is designed for travel and use on the go. You’re also allowed to take it in your hand luggage on the plane. You can find instructions on the correct way to use the device on the manufacturer’s website. If there’s one thing lacking, I’d say it’s a travel case for the gun and its accessories. While there’s space for everything in the sturdy packaging, it’s not like it’s something anyone takes with them on a trip.
Verdict
The Blackroll Fascia Gun hits the spot for many. It’s neither too hard, nor too loud. The massage gun isn’t too big for your sports bag and at 544 g, it’s neither too light nor too heavy. The device can’t be classed as too conspicuous, nor too simple and it’s certainly not bad. If you’re looking for hard strokes, you’re in the wrong place. Bargain hunters also needn’t make a pit stop here. If that’s you, the Tunturi Mini, for instance, is a lot cheaper, and at 6 mm, has a reduced amplitude along with the benefit of coming together with a case.
Nonetheless, the Fascia Gun is mainstream. It may not boast an innovative killer feature, but it does have a very long battery life and a design to tick the boxes of a large part of the target audience. Perhaps that’s the reason it’s only launching now. If you want to muscle in on this segment as an established brand, you have to figuratively touch a nerve with customers directly. And that’s exactly what the Fascia Gun does.
Sports scientist, high-performance dad and remote worker in the service of Her Majesty the Turtle.