Bongers Massage Tool - 1 Pair in Blissful Blue

I've had ongoing back issues for a few years now, so I was excited to see these at a very reasonable price on Amazon. They work fantastic but one of the two handles has loosend and is slowly deteriorating already! The wood is intact, but the silver ring at the base came unglued two days ago, so that's any easy fix right? And just tonight the metal "rod" is sliding from side to side within the handle! I'm the only one that uses the Bongers, so it's not a matter of over-use, or mis-handling. I already threw my box away, not thinking that one of the two Bongers would do this so quickly. It appeared to be a very sturdy product when I received it last week. Now I'm afraid to use this on myself as one of the metal rods could launch right out of the handle! I'm contacting the seller to see if I can do a swap-out. If I can get a pair that don't have the same QC issue, this will go up to 5 stars, as it is a great massage tool! ***********UPDATE**** May 13, 2010 After some confusing correspondence with Amazon CS, I sent an email to Bodyback directly and just yesterday I received a replacement pair. This pair is actually different! The Ball-end is still blue, but the steel rod on this pair were a blued-steel and the handles a stained golden-oak color (like the Amazon pic), whereas the first pair I received were a shiny steel with clear stained wood handles. Even the box was different between each pair. It's obvious the replacement pair are of a better quality than the first set and I am extremely pleased! It took awhile to get the issue resolved, but it IS resolved and I am pounding my aches away! I've changed my rating from 4 to 5 stars.

They are great for sore muscles, and I can lean against them if I have a cramp in one spot. But bonging oneself is the way to go! These made great gifts too.

Years ago, I owned one lone bonger. I have no idea from whence it came. I only know that when it finally broke, I always wanted to find another one. Except I never knew what they were called. Or that they came in pairs. When I found these on Amazon, I read all the reviews on the different manufacturers and types of handles. Some people complained of the over- whelming bad smell with some of the similar tools. I finally decided it would be worth it to me to pay the few dollars extra and buy this set. I live with three men and one 12-year-old boy. Everyone in the family had to try these out----within the first hour after the Bongers arrived. This made me happy. The 12-year-old and I gave each other Bonger massages. The new purchase was a huge success. The Bongers, the balls themselves, do smell a tiny, tiny bit. I am hyper sensitive to perfumes, plastic smells, etc. I cannot smell that these massage tools have any scent at all---unless I put my nose right up to them. Even then, it is not a smell that makes me cringe. These are very well-made and look like they will last for a long, long time----even with five of us using them all of the time. I am very happy with them. My only advice to new buyers is: don't "Bong" yourself too enthusiastically. Too hard and it can really hurt.

Update: The metal shaft broke a couple days later. I admit that I'm rough with them so I'm keeping the rating high because they should be a great value for most people. I simply epoxy'd the ball onto a thick drumstick and all is good. I suppose now I can make my own for life! The ball is nothing more than a soft athletic play ball (foam-based) you can find in a sporting goods store if you want to make your own. Original Post: I'm a 35 year old athletic male. I have some sort of myofascial issues along my spine, across my shoulders, and into the base of the neck. I'm so tight at times it seems like a hard shell of stuck tissue layers. Anyways, these Bongers work great to beat on my back (whipping around the side of my body) and break up some of the tissue. The problem is they aren't really built for rough use like I use them and the balls went soaring off into the air after about 20 min of use. This is fine though as I wasn't expecting them to be robust enough for me... I simply fixed them with some epoxy and they seem to be holding up pretty well so far. It's a great product for $20 and I would recommend them to others. I've used many different self-massagers for my problems and this is definitely in my daily bag of tricks. There is something about the percussive action that really helps. But I hope that the company looks into some other robust methods to build them in the future for people that really like to hit themselves hard!

I am a bodyworker and have been for 35 years. I have a client who insists on percussion beforehand, to lessen the severity of the pain of deep tissue and fascial work. I have been working with her for 30 years now, and she is well versed on many of her most helpful routines and is able to self-release inbetween our sessions. I recently gifted her with a set of these Bongers, and I bought myself a new pair, as well; having given several pairs of mine away over the years. This client is going bonkers bonging. She is crazy in love with these...so much so that she is buying another pair, herself, and also planning on taking them with her on an upcoming vacation. To me, they are priceless! The percussion stroke reminds the central nervous system that it can let go of its contraction to an area; as it often suffers central motor amnesia and forgets a place on the body is held in chronic tension due to posture, patterning, and a variety of other reasons. It forgets once it becomes an habitual response to Life!!! I have found these new Bongers to be even more durable than the pairs I have had in the past. Thank You!!! You can’t go wrong with these! Our bodies love and need good and positive reenforcement and attention They make a GREAT gift, especially for someone who is kinesthetic and very involved with their body and wellbeing. DON’T THINK TWICE...

Had some years ago and have been looking for new ones for a long time. I take one to work with me. Really helps relieve the muscle soreness in the shoulders.

My exercise coach recommended them and I feel like they do bring relief to sore muscles. I’m glad I purchased these.

I picked up a pair of Bongers in a health food co-op about 14 years ago and I happily bonged myself for a very long time until they were lost to the four winds. I was very happy to see these on Amazon, but skeptical that these Bongers were the real thing, with the wooden handles, springy action, packaged in the cheesy brown box. Much to my surprise, I was delighted to discover replicas of my old friends! It's made pretty clear in the product information, but you either like Bongers or you don't. They don't give you a soft, kneading sensation, they bang the knots out of your body, in a super fun way. Some people just don't like other people bonging them; that would be me. I love using these on myself, they really work the kinks out of my neck. I do not like my husband or kids hitting me with these, though. Other people are just the opposite. I also use these on my thighs to get the blood flowing before I put my caffeine cream on them. Yes, I run, etc., but I figure it can't hurt, and it feels good.

It met with my expectations and more

Not quality. There is another review here about how the quality of this product has dropped over the years and now owning the product I can believe it. It looks like corners have been cut to save costs. My main issue is the handles appear wood in the images with a clear grain, but are plastic and cheap in reality. This is not an amazon stocked product so I was disapointed when my UK registered seller shipped from the USA, I could have done that myself direct from the company. Too much hassle to return. Not quality, can't recommend.