Massage has a phenomenal effect on recovery after exercise. But not all athletes can afford a professional massage as often as they need. It’s no wonder the self-massage industry is booming. People want the benefits without the cost.
Moji Massage Products
I recently tried two self-treatment tools created by a company called Moji: the Moji 360 Massager and Moji Mini Pro. Moji specializes in creating handheld, portable massage devices to aid in exercise recovery.
“Once you figure out the technique, the Moji 360 is a great way to give yourself a high-pressure massage. You can acccess some areas that are difficult to get to with a foam roller.”
Moji has been making pain-relief and recovery products in Illinois since 2007. The company was founded by Victor Viner, a competitive athlete who wished to have better recovery aids to suit his needs. He has since grown his company and expanded his line to include a large variety of massagers and other products.
Each of the Moji massagers have stainless steel spheres in the center, similar to large ball bearings. The spheres rotate freely in their casing to create a smooth, frictionless feeling that allows you to apply pressure and move in all directions.
There are two sizes of spheres intended for different massage intensities. The smaller spheres are better for lighter pressure, and there are more of them to increase surface area. The larger spheres are made for deep tissue work, and there are fewer of them so they can really dig in.
READ: Science Says Massage Heals Your Muscles
With the Moji 360, these spheres are in a long, thin plastic case. Because its handles are 1.5ft apart, it’s easy to get the leverage needed to massage any part of your body as hard as you like. With the Mini Pro, the spheres are set into a flexible piece of rubber with a rubber strap on the back that goes over your fingers. This feature allows you to use it in the palm of your hand.
LEFT: Moji 360; RIGHT: Moji Mini Pro
My Experience
In order to get the best massage effect, I had to push pretty hard. Because the bearings are steel and don’t have a lot of surface area, it was easy to make the massage painful. There is a technique to it for sure, and it might take you a while to figure out the right intensity.
“The Mini Pro is great for the traps, which can be hard to get with most other types of massagers. It is also amazing for hand massages.”
Speaking of painful massage, a problem I have as a fairly hairy guy is that many massage tools pull on my body hair. The Moji 360 Massager is not as bad as a higher-friction massage (for example, by hand), but it still gets me a little. This problem is easily resolved for sensitive areas like my chest by putting a shirt on. Because the spheres roll, the massager still works fine over clothing. In fact, sometimes clothing helps to create the right sort of pressure.
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Once you figure out the technique, the Moji 360 is a great way to give yourself a high-pressure massage. You can acccess areas difficult to get with a foam roller, like the tibialis anterior and the neck. The Mini Pro is great for the traps, which can be hard to get with most other types of massagers. It is also amazing for hand massages.
A close-up shot of the Moji 360
I also used the massager is to assist in cryotherapy, or therapy using cold temperatures. The massagers are steel, so they can get quite cool. I experimented by cooling them a little more in the fridge and it did the trick pretty well. Keep in mind, the company doesn’t advertise the product this way, and cryotherapy isn’t for the faint of heart. The pressure and cold together can be rough if you aren’t warmed up.
My Recommendation
Overall, I like the style and convenience of the Moji products. The Moji 360 is ideal for large muscles that need a lot of pressure, and the Mini Pro is best for those hard-to-reach places. I’m pleased to find a convenient myofascial release option that actually works on my traps.
I don’t think the Moji products replace mainstays like foam rollers. But they are a helpful adjunct for self-myofascial release fanatics who want to get a deeper and more local massage work. If that sounds like you, one or both of these products will be just what you’re looking for and won’t break the bank.
The Moji 360 Massager is available for $49.95 at GoMoji.com.
The Moji Mini Pro is available for $29.95 at GoMoji.com.
