The Head Gravity Motion is the light control racket of Head’s Gravity line: a round racket with a fiberglass hitting surface, a Control Foam core, a mid balance of 265 mm and a weight of 355 g. Head labels it defensive, control and precision, calls the feel soft and aims it at intermediate and advanced players, and Auxetic 2.0 adds touch.
It costs $199.95 on the US listing, which matches Head’s US store sale price at the time of writing, and it sits next to the Head Gravity Pro in the Gravity line. This review covers the build, the specs, how it should play, how it differs from the Gravity Pro and who should buy it.
See also our best Head padel rackets guide, or browse all our padel gear reviews.
Head Gravity Motion at a glance
Why it wins: Head’s soft, round control racket: a 355 g fiberglass-faced racket with a 265 mm balance, Control Foam and Auxetic 2.0, for intermediate and advanced players. (~$200)
- Round shape with a mid balance of 265 mm
- Fiberglass face and Control Foam core
- 355 g, which Head classes as midweight
- Auxetic 2.0 and a rough spin surface
Main features of the Head Gravity Motion
The Gravity Motion is built around comfort and placement:
- Round shape, which Head pairs with a defensive, control and precision profile
- Fiberglass hitting surface, which Head describes as elastic and flexible, with a softer feel and good control but less power on fast shots
- Control Foam core, which Head says enhances the sweet spot and adds precision on shots such as the bandeja or the chiquita
- Auxetic 2.0, which Head says is combined with a lower balance to help advanced and tournament players control the game
- Mid balance of 265 mm, which Head says spreads the weight evenly for a mix of power and control
- Rough lacquered spin surface for extra grip on the ball
Specification of the Head Gravity Motion
Here are the full specs of the Head Gravity Motion:
- Shape: Round
- Weight: 355 g (12.5 oz), midweight
- Balance: Mid, 265 mm
- Core: Control Foam
- Face: Fiberglass
- Surface: Rough lacquered spin surface
- Feel: Soft
- Player level: Intermediate to advanced
- Type of play: Defensive, control and precision
- Series: Gravity
Our review of the Head Gravity Motion
The Gravity Motion is a control racket with a soft face. A round head centers the sweet spot, a fiberglass hitting surface gives a flexible, forgiving strike and Control Foam is aimed at precision on shots that need touch. Head says the fiberglass gives less power on fast shots, so this is a racket for players who create pace with timing and placement.
The 265 mm balance is worth a note. Head labels it mid on this racket, and our Gravity Pro review lists the same 265 mm as low, so the number is a better guide than the label. At 355 g the Motion is 10 g lighter than the Pro, which should make it the quicker racket in the hand.
We have not played it ourselves, so this is an assessment of Head’s spec sheet and the US listing. On paper it suits an intermediate or advanced player who wants a soft, round racket for defense and placement, and the price is high for a fiberglass face.
Pros
- Soft, flexible fiberglass face with Control Foam for precision
- Round head and a mid balance of 265 mm
- 355 g, 10 g lighter than the Gravity Pro
- Matches Head’s US store price at the time of writing
Cons
- About $200 is a lot for a fiberglass-faced racket
- Limited power on fast shots, by Head’s own description
- Head’s label for the balance differs from our Gravity Pro page
- Not a racket for finishing points at the net
Who is the Head Gravity Motion for?
The Gravity Motion suits intermediate and advanced players who build points with placement, lobs and the bandeja, and players who want a soft, round racket that is easy on the arm. It also suits players who like Head’s Auxetic feel without a hard face.
Who the Head Gravity Motion is not for
Skip it if you want power or a carbon face, or if you are on a tight budget. A diamond such as the Head Extreme Motion is the power option, and the Head Vibe is the cheaper beginner racket.
What to know before you buy the Head Gravity Motion
Weight and balance
Head lists 355 g (12.5 oz), which it calls midweight, and a mid balance of 265 mm. Our Gravity Pro review lists the same 265 mm as low, so rely on the number rather than the label.
Gravity Motion versus Gravity Pro
Both are Gravity-line control rackets with a Control Foam core and Auxetic 2.0. The Motion has a fiberglass face at 355 g, and our Gravity Pro review lists a hybrid woven face at about 365 g.
Price
The US listing showed $199.95, and Head’s US store showed the same sale price, down from $209.95. Prices change, so check the current offer.
How the Head Gravity Motion plays
Volleys and blocks: A round head and a mid balance give a forgiving, controlled response at the net.
Defense and lobs: A round racket with a soft face is the easiest combination to place the ball with from the back of the court.
Bandeja and chiquita: Head names both shots for Control Foam. Our guide to the bandeja covers a shot that suits this racket.
Smashes: Power is limited, so technique matters. Our guide to the kick smash covers a shot that works on a control racket.
Head Gravity Motion vs the alternatives
Inside Head, the Gravity Pro is the heavier, harder Gravity racket and the Vibe is the beginner teardrop. Outside Head, the Varlion LW Carbon Ti (~$110) and the ACA Wave 2 (~$160) are comparable round control rackets with carbon faces. Our best rackets for intermediate players guide compares the wider field.
Is the Head Gravity Motion worth it?
At about $200, the Gravity Motion is fair value for a soft, round Head with Auxetic 2.0 and Control Foam, although the LW Carbon Ti and the ACA Wave 2 showed lower prices for carbon faces. It is worth it if you specifically want Head’s soft feel and the Gravity line.
Conclusion
The Head Gravity Motion is a soft, round control racket with a fiberglass face, a Control Foam core and a mid balance of 265 mm. Its strengths are the comfort, the precision and the weight. Its weaknesses are the price for a fiberglass face and the limited power.
Choose it if you build points with placement and want a soft feel. If you want more bite, see the Gravity Pro, and browse our best padel rackets roundup for every level.
Frequently asked questions about the Head Gravity Motion
How heavy is the Head Gravity Motion?
Head lists 355 g (12.5 oz), which it calls midweight, with a mid balance of 265 mm.
Is the Head Gravity Motion a control racket?
Yes. Head labels it defensive, control and precision, and a round head with a fiberglass face and a Control Foam core is the classic control build.
Which Gravity racket is softer, the Motion or the Pro?
The Motion is softer. It has a fiberglass face at 355 g, and our Gravity Pro review lists a hybrid woven face at about 365 g. Both have a Control Foam core and a 265 mm balance.
What is Control Foam?
Head describes it as a foam that enhances the sweet spot and provides extra precision for shots such as the bandeja or the chiquita.
Is the Head Gravity Motion suitable for intermediate players?
Yes. Head lists it for intermediate and advanced players, and the soft fiberglass face is forgiving. Our intermediate racket guide lists other options.
Is a fiberglass face good for control?
Head says yes. It describes fiberglass as elastic and flexible, with a softer feel and good control, although it gives less power on fast shots.
Is the Head Gravity Motion good for tennis elbow?
A soft fiberglass face is gentler than a hard carbon one, so it is a reasonable candidate. Our tennis elbow racket guide lists rackets chosen for comfort first.
Is the Head Gravity Motion worth about $200?
Yes if you want Head’s soft Gravity feel, although a few round carbon rackets cost less. It matches Head’s US store sale price.
Kevin Anderson is a Content Writer for SimplePadel. He joined the company during summer 2022. For SimplePadel, he spealizes in testing rackets and writes a lot of our padel racket reviews.
Kevin loves to own the net position and considers himself an attacking-minded player. He often claims that he has the reach of a monkey – thanks to his 6’5″ stature. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking and following the USPA closely.