Gear Review: TimTam Recovery Power Massager

By Alexander Castiglione

The fitness world is full of gimmicks. And in local news, water is wet. But I assume if you’re reading this, you’re not about the gimmicks. You’re not about the “8 minutes a day” shenanigans.

And you’re definitely aware that there is no pill for physical excellence – just good old-fashioned hard work. And along with that, there are recovery gimmicks.

The TimTam power massager is not a gimmick.

When I picked up the Tim Tam power massager, I thought it wasn’t going to be a staple in my recovery arsenal; I thought I’d return it. I was dead wrong.

Admittedly, it looks like something you’d see in the back of a work van rather than a gym bag, but this motorizes lithium-ion powered recovery device delivers results.

With an oscillating head made of dense rubber (think LAX ball) this sucker moves at up to 2000 rpm. It’s amazing for breaking up stubborn knots, tight fascia, and tight IT bands.

I personally suffer from tendinitis in my left arm. Sometimes if I do too many muscles ups, pull ups, or climb too hard of a route, I get a flare up.

Every tendon tightens, and frankly, it hurts like a bitch.

With this device, I can break it up without having to have someone smash it with a LAX ball or barbell. I can just take the oscillating head, point it at a problem area, and pull the trigger.

I especially found this indispensable on my calves after a long run, or my IT bands and glutes after squatting heavy.

This thing packs a punch, and don’t worry about eating through batteries – it comes with a charger, Li battery, and also with a carry case to keep everything together.

Pros, what we like:

This thing can hammer out knots NOBODY could break up previously, and does so in a relatively painless way. It’s portable, and the 90 degree actuating head lets you use it on yourself, or lets you dig into someone’s knotty lat. Great tool for the serious athlete, especially endurance athletes. This will break up knots you didn’t know you had.

Cons, what we don’t like:

It’s a bit loud, but hey—it works at 2000 rpm. I’ll deal with it.

UPDATE June 2018:

I’ve been using this device off and on for a few months, and I can tell you that it breaks up even the deepest knots in my legs, lats, and fascia all over. This investment is well worth it. It gets deeper than a TENS unit, and significantly reduces my DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness…meaning, you squat heavy, expect to be sore the next day, but it takes an extra day to set in). Overall, I love it.

Additional accessories are available on their website, adding to the massager’s ability to really dig into that soreness and get you healed.

Check out the Tim Tam power massager here: 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alex Castiglione lives in Atlanta, and is an avid outdoorsman and competitive shooter.

Wher-abouts include getting after it in his garage gym, practicing martial arts, hitting the trails, or running CrossFit and Strongman competitions for his non-profit, Barbells for Bullies.

Barbells for Bullies holds fundraiser fitness competitions dedicated to aiding Bully breed rescues, dog rescues, or other non-profits with similar missions.

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