Gain the Edge with BioZoom Edge
Pound Your Pain Away (with a little help from Bluetooth)
The BioZoom Edge is a thoughtfully-designed massage gun (or “percussion massager” if you’re fancy) that makes the most of modern technology. In concert with the Addaday app (iOS, Google Play), the Edge is a serious therapy device that makes it seriously easy to treat muscle pain and augment your workouts.
With respectable endorsements by GearJunkie and Runner’s World (and a tranche of high praise from reviewers across the web) we were eager to find out if this device lived up to its reputation. So let’s zoom in and see if we vibe with the BioZoom Edge...
INITIAL IMPRESSION
Big kudos to Addaday for making an unforgettable first impression with the Biozoom Edge. Open the box and you're greeted with what appears to be a bright yellow smiley face antenna ball. But what you're seeing is not the latest Jack-in-the-Box antenna ball. Instead, that squishy little smiley face is the most gentle of the five unique attachments that are included in the box.
There's no doubting the build quality of this device…good luck finding any uneven seems, blemishes or misprinted text. Addaday’s manufacturing standards are clearly very high (which can’t be said for many brands these days).
One [unscientific] method we’ve found to assess build quality is to simply shake a device while not in use, listening for loose parts moving around inside. The BioZoom Edge passed this test with flying colors making absolutely no sound even with aggressive shaking.
The ovular shape of the handle is ergonomically on-point and the high quality rubberized finish feels great while inspiring gripping confidence. The “trigger” buttons are well-placed and easy for your fingers to distinguish thanks to raised + and - indicators.
We also enjoyed some subtle details that make this device that much cooler. For example, a pleasant translucent blue ring just below the digital display is illuminated and lets you know the device is still on if you’ve set it down.
Initial duuude impression: This massage gun looks & feels like a legit therapy device that you’d find in a physical therapy clinic.
TESTING IT OUT
For the real-world assessment of the BioZoom Edge we handed it off to one of our crew members Mike, a duuude-at-large with an extensive history of early-adoption and thorough testing of torture devices therapy & pain management devices in this category. Here’s what he had to say:
Let’s start with a little background on Mike (hiiii, Mike!):
At 38, I’ve participated in my fair share of both competitive and casual athletics. By most standards, I am a sub-par athlete on land and maybe a bit above average in water sports. My lack of athletic prowess has rarely stopped me from trying new ways to stay in shape though, and I eventually found myself training for and participating in triathlons. The intensive training required to complete a triathlon proved to be the cause of a nagging injury that happens to be incredibly common in eager new triathletes and runners: IT Band Syndrome.
Go on…
The agony of my IT band issues was the catalyst for me starting a new regimen of proactive daily stretching and body work. As part of that regimen, I began a nightly routine of using foam rollers, lacrosse balls, stretching bands and any pain-inflicting contraption I get my hands on. Foam rolling your IT bands is, in the words of my wife, “more painful than child birth”. I took immense pleasure from hearing her say that because frankly, treating IT band issues is so utterly painful that even UFC fighters scream like school girls during treatment (Exhibit A: Veteran fighter Diego Sanchez having his IT bands worked on).
Then what?
I tell you the above in hopes of setting some context for this review; most of the time I’ve spent with the BioZoom Edge has been focused on reducing the tightness in my IT bands, quads and calves.
Upon unboxing the BioZoom, the instructions direct you to charge the battery to full capacity for “6 hours” before use. I know I should expect that initial charging time from modern electronics but I can never shake the slight disappointment when I realize I can’t play with my new toy quite yet. Luckily, the included charger worked fast and the device went from 78% to 100% in about 30 minutes. Not bad at all.
The standout feature of the BioZoom line of massage guns is the ability to connect to Addaday’s companion app via Bluetooth, something that a tech-early-adopter like me can really appreciate. While I may not agree with the “smartification” of everything these days (e.g. egg trays, salt shakers, cat water fountains, etc), it’s hard to argue with the utility it adds to this massage gun.
Somewhat ironically, in my haste to put the Edge to use, I initially skipped the process of pairing the device with my phone in hopes of operating it manually. To my surprise, it was not as easy as I had assumed it would be. The device seemingly had a mind of its own, revving up and down between speeds and turning on and off at random.
It was at that point that I decided to be a grownup and RTFM. I quickly learned that I had been attempting to use the device in what the display indicated as “A” mode (aka. “automatic” mode that requires the app) instead of manual mode (“L” on the display).
Manual mode gives you 5 no-frill speed settings to choose from. Once the device is turned on, the speed can be changed using either the display or the trigger style buttons, both of which I found to be a useful depending on how I was using the device. If you happen to know what you’re doing with a device like this, manual mode may be your preference.
In tandem with the Addaday app is where the BioZoom really shines for the average consumer. The app does a respectable job of giving you straight-forward options to choose from:
Where does it hurt?
Pre-workout
Recovery
For my uses, I stuck to the “where does it hurt” flow most often. In this mode you select the region of your body that hurts by tapping on an anatomical model that, sadly, has been stripped of his naughty bits. I dare you not to look at that region when you open the app...its impossible not to stare.
I had great results using the BioZoom along with the various leg cycles offered by the app. In addition to my nightly foam rolling routine, this massage gun has undoubtedly increased the pliability of my tight IT bands which has subsequently made a noticeable difference in my overall back health.
ALL IN ALL
At an MSRP of $149 (less if you wait for the occasional sale), the BioZoom Edge is a formidable therapy device at a legitimately reasonable price. With the excellent build quality, a solid app ecosystem and a 1-year warranty, you’d be hard pressed to find a better bang for your buck than this massage gun.
STANDOUT FEATURES
Ultimately, we were really impressed with nearly everything about BioZoom Edge. But if we had to pick our favorite features here’s what we’d say:
Massage gun + app = Dynamic duo
Rock solid manufacturing standards - You won’t question the quality of this device
Power-to-weight ratio - Considering the size and weight of this gun, it really packs a punch
Solid battery life - We were pleasantly surprised by the number of uses we got per charge
1 year warranty - A solid warranty from a trusted brand...you can breathe easy.
BioZoom Edge Overall duuude Factor: Gain a Serious Edge over Muscle Aches with Addaday
Price: $149 on Addaday
BRAND INFO
Addaday exists to help everyone keep moving at their best so they can live their fullest.
This was the goal when Addaday was founded in 2010 – to help people “add a day” to their lives – and it’s what continues to drive everyone at Addaday today. Because when you’re able to move better and alleviate pain, you can get the most out of the things you love to do.
As a global leader in connected massage technology, and one of only a few brands to offer Bluetooth® connected devices and a companion app - Addaday delivers an affordable and customized wellness experience that is as close as you can get to an in-person physical therapist consultation without being there in person.
Unlike many "copycat" brands out there, our products only use the best quality materials, undergo rigorous testing and are backed by a 30-day "feel good" money-back guarantee plus a one-year warranty. With Addaday, you get quality, peace of mind and the knowledge that our app will continually evolve so that your investment in our brand pays off.
Whether you are an elite athlete, office worker, multitasking parent or retiree, it is our commitment to you to help you move better. From delivering the best technology that does the thinking for you, to providing personalized advice and support. Think of Addaday as your own personal physical therapist.
Here’s to helping you LIVE YOUR FULLEST™
