Turns out constant jackhammering isn’t always what you need.
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If you’ve ever winced your way through a massage gun session, wondering why recovery has to feel like punishment, the Rally orbital massager, available for $499, might be your salvation. While the massage gun market has been locked in an arms race of increasing percussion power—with devices literally hammering away at your muscles—Rally takes a completely different approach. Instead of beating tension into submission, it coaxes it out through gentle, circular motions. Picture a massage car buffer, instead of a massage gun.
But does this gentler approach actually work, or are you sacrificing effectiveness for comfort? Personally, I found the Rally pushed me to rethink the benefits of percussive therapy, trading the traditional “more hammer equals better recovery” philosophy for something that actually feels good while delivering results.
Performance and power
Out of the box, it’s clear this isn’t a traditional massage gun. Still, the operation is basic and intuitive:
Choose one of three attachments based on the area you want to massage and your desired intensity (more on that later).
Power on the device and select your preferred speed setting.
Position the massager against your target muscle group.
Adjust the angle to switch between oscillating and percussive motions as needed.
Adjust the power to one of three settings, from 1600-3200 RPM.
Rally orbital massager next to a MacBook Air for scale.
Credit: Meredith Dietz
When it comes to finding the perfect massager for you, the two metrics you need to understand are amplitude (mm) and percussions per minute (ppm). Most premium massage guns like the Hyperice Hypervolt series top out at 2,700, but amplitude can easily make up for lower ppm. The (rightfully) popular Theragun Prime, while limited to 2,400 ppm, compensates with an impressive 16mm amplitude that creates significantly deeper muscle penetration. This means Rally’s 1600-3200 RPM (revolutions per minute, instead of percussions) range puts it on the upper end of the performance spectrum.
The power button is right at the top of the device.
Credit: Meredith Dietz
But what makes Rally’s RPM unique is how it delivers this power. Traditional percussion devices achieve their therapeutic effect through amplitude—the depth of each strike. Rally’s 11mm amplitude is lower than name brands like Theragun and Hyperice, but its orbital motion means this measurement works differently than traditional percussion. Instead of hammering straight down, Rally’s orbital action spreads that 11mm movement in a circular pattern, covering more tissue area per revolution. This means you’re getting broader muscle coverage with each pass, making the device more efficient at treating larger muscle groups like the quadriceps, hamstrings, and back muscles.
Orbital vs. percussion: A different recovery philosophy
Traditional percussive approach certainly works for me, but it comes with significant drawbacks. Many users find the experience uncomfortable, especially on sensitive areas or when dealing with acute soreness. The constant hammering can also cause hand fatigue for the operator and create a jarring sensation that makes it difficult to relax during treatment. Plus, there’s a baseline assumption with all massage guns that’s worth challenging: Just because something hurts doesn’t mean it’s “working.” There’s a reason a professional masseuse doesn’t start your session by chopping your muscles immediately. This is to say, I wasn’t testing my Rally in search of replacing my trusted massage guns, but I went into this open and curious about the orbital motion approach.
My first impression was how Rally’s circular movement pattern mimics the motions used in manual massage therapy, creating a kneading sensation rather than a pummeling one. This approach is particularly effective for muscles that don’t respond well to direct percussion—areas like the triceps, traps, and lower back that need gentle coaxing rather than aggressive treatment.
That being said, you can still achieve a percussive massage with your Rally. Your massage experience that can be customized based on how you position the device:
Face-on application: Delivers oscillating massage
Sideways application: Provides percussion-style massage
Angled positions: Offers countless variations between oscillation and percussion
Attachment system: Quality over quantity
Rally comes with three massage heads, which is fewer than the six or seven attachments offered by most competitors these days. However, the included attachments are thoughtfully designed for maximum versatility:
The Flat serves as the workhorse attachment, providing even pressure distribution across larger muscle groups. Its robust edges allow for intensity variation—use it flat for gentle treatment or angled for more aggressive therapy.
The Peak offers targeted pressure for trigger points and stubborn knots. While it doesn’t match the precision of a traditional bullet-style attachment, it’s effective for focused work.
The Echo creates a unique ripple effect that mimics lymphatic drainage techniques. This attachment is particularly effective for post-workout recovery and circulation improvement.
Three massage head options.
Credit: Meredith Dietz
I will say, the limitation here is real: if you’re accustomed to the precision targeting possible with traditional massage gun attachments, Rally’s selection might feel restrictive. The flat design makes it particularly difficult to achieve the exact angles needed for some trigger point work.
What do you think so far?
Ergonomics and design
Rally’s sleek, minimalist design looks fantastic on a nightstand or bathroom counter. It’s about 2.4 lbs and I’d be shocked if you had trouble throwing it into your gym bag or suitcase.
I love the dual storage/charger set-up.
Credit: Meredith Dietz
However, I think the design philosophy prioritizes aesthetics over ergonomics. Without a proper handle, extended use sessions can become uncomfortable, especially when treating hard-to-reach areas. Traditional massage guns with their pistol-grip designs offer better leverage and control, particularly for self-treatment of the back and shoulders. This ergonomic compromise might be Rally’s most significant weakness. While the orbital motion reduces the need for heavy pressure application, the lack of a handle still makes the device more fatiguing to use than conventional alternatives.
Noise and vibration
Volume might seem like a minor consideration, but anyone who’s tried to use a massage gun while watching TV or in a shared living space knows how disruptive these devices can be. Noise aside, sheer intensity can be an issue for traditional massage guns. If you’re getting hand numbness and fatigue after just a few minutes of operation, this seriously limits your massager’s practical effectiveness. Rally’s minimal vibration transfer means you can comfortably use it for longer sessions without the tingling, numb sensation that plagues other devices.
This brings me to a bigger takeaway: The Rally is simply more pleasant than the massage guns I’m used to. It’s a perfect “primer” for deeper therapy. Using Rally first to warm up and relax my muscles made all my stretching, runs, and manual physical therapy more effective.
For individuals who find traditional percussion uncomfortable—whether due to sensitivity, inflammation, or simply personal preference—Rally offers a genuinely effective alternative. There’s even a gentle warming sensation that occurs during use as an unexpected bonus—simply the result of good old fashioned friction.
Now, for people like me, who do indeed love their intense massage gun sessions: The Rally is still a worthwhile tool in my arsenal. It’s genuinely different—and in the repetitive world of percussion therapy, this difference is more than welcome to me. Sure, sometimes I want to hammer away with trigger point work. But when it comes to daily use, I’ve found myself reaching more and more for the slightly gentler orbital option.