How to use a massage ball - the ultimate guide

Estimated read time 3 minutes.

As more and more of us switch on to the many benefits of self-massage, massage devices continue to grow in popularity. And this demand has led to constant innovation.

Convenience and portability are big factors for people as they look to fit massage into their daily routines, and massage balls tick these boxes while being incredibly effective at delivering super-targeted massage.

What exactly is a massage ball?

Massage balls, like our own MuscleGun Orb, are ultra lightweight devices that deliver vibration therapy treatment.

People have been using massage balls of some kind for many years, but the new breed of electronic devices have really changed the self-massage game forever. Although small, their size is deceptive – a massage ball is a serious bit of kit.

Do massage balls work?

Yes, they do. The MuscleGun Orb has a high torque motor that can produce between 3500 to 4500 vibrations per minute – that’s powerful! Because of its size you can really pinpoint those trigger points that need releasing, and by promoting the flow of blood and oxygen to the muscles, it reduces the tension and tightness you feel.

The type of massage therapy you get from a massage ball is also shown to improve mobility and recovery time. This makes it an invaluable tool for anyone looking to enhance their training performance.

How to use a massage ball

Taking our MuscleGun Orb as an example, it works through a combination of the vibration it emits and the pressure of the user’s body weight. Here’s how simple it is to operate: 

• Switch your device on and choose your speed setting.
• Place the massage ball under the area you want to massage.
• Gently roll back and forth to increase the area you are massaging. You can also use your body weight to apply more pressure on certain muscles as required.

When to use a massage ball

Massage balls are very versatile, so you can use them in a variety of situations in your everyday life. Here are some times when they could help you:

• Before exercise
  Get your muscles fired up for exercise by increasing the flow of blood and oxygen to key areas of your body. This can help prevent injuries too.
• After exercise
  Massage after exercise is great for flushing toxins and lactic acid out of your muscles and speeding up recovery ahead of the next session. It also reduces the risk of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS).
• Anytime
  From elite athletes to those of us who spend more time than we’d like to working behind a desk, everyone suffers from muscular pain and tightness at some point. And a massage ball is the perfect answer. Just some of the areas where a massage ball is great at offering relief, include:
• Calves
• Lower back
• Hip flexors
• Glutes
• Hamstrings
• Quads

How to charge a vibrating massage ball

Our MuscleGun Orb massage ball is as easy to charge as it is to use. It comes with a USB charging cable, so all you do is plug it in as you would your phone or any other device.

And because it has a premium lithium ion battery, once fully-charged it’s good for 60 minutes of massage, whenever and wherever you need it.

Read next: How to Use a Muscle Massage Gun - Our Guide