Bought me a powerball!

[Whiternoise]

So.. I got sucked in by the hype and coughed up 20 quid for a neon blue powerball (for those who don't know what they are: http://www.powerballs.com/). I've been mucking around with it for about an hour now and i love it!

Time will tell if it actually builds up my muscles, but it's definitely a strain on the arms If not, well it's still a lot of fun!

[machinist]

Cool man My friend had a cheaper version of this, and I had a go - incredible sensation, feels like a high voltage going up your arm !

[Butcher]

I've got one, never noticed much muscle growth though (but then I was never religious about using it).

[Mithrandir]

My friend bought me one for my birthday. Didn't know what it was but it's fun to use. Not really used it much but it's supposed to help wrist and building up arm/muscles over time.

[bigblue]

They're damn good IMO. A lot of guys in the golf profession use them and swear by them. Only thing to beware of is getting high scores and believing you're actually getting stronger when possibly you're just mastering the technique. It's usually a little of both.

They don't really give you any noticeable bulk, but they definitely do seem to strengthen your wrists and forearms. Most folks don't really realise how limp-wristed they are, and the powerball really shows them up (me included). But then so does fully extending your fingers and then making a fist really tightly, quickly and repeatedly, for a minute. Don't believe me ? Try it... I've seen quite well built blokes break out in a sweat at about the 50 second mark

[Whiternoise]

Yeah, i'm not really doing it for the bulk up effect - i can get that elsewhere probably faster - it's more for the fun and the sort of localised effects, things like grip strength.

Apparently it's handy for people who are into speedcubing as well

EDIT: i'd be interested if it improves anything gaming wise, like reaction times in FPS's...

[JPreston]

I got one to fix up an injury I picked up in goal, stopping a shaolin soccer style blast at short range. It's good, although the novelty wears off after a while.

Best similar thing I remember is this grip-o-meter thing they had in the sports science dept at college - you had to squeeze two handles together and it would measure the maximum force exerted. That was insanely addictive

[Lanky123]

EDIT: i'd be interested if it improves anything gaming wise, like reaction times in FPS's...

I think that might be a little bit hopeful...just playing the game would probably have more effect.

Slightly less chance of repetitive strain injury is the best i can think of...

[bigblue]

As long as people aren't looking for Arnie-esque arms, I don't think they'll be disappointed. It is a good gadget, and definitely more interesting that the usual wrist/forearm exercises. Well, apart from one... (said before anyone else did )

A couple of my golfing buddies claim to have added 20 yards onto their drives after a couple of months Powerball use. Whilst I doubt that, they've definitely gained a few mph on their swing speeds, no question, as we've measured them.

Disappointed no-one has yet tried the extending fingers/clenching fist thing. Go on, I dares ya !

[arbitor]

i can get 13 thousand now after a while of having it

[arbitor]

But then i def dont have limp wrists

[bigblue]

The vid of the record holder on their site is quite amusing. Looks as if he's having a seizure, rather than merely exercising his wrists http://www.powerballs.com/popup_akis.php

[arbitor]

To get there is unbelivable wrist composure.. and strength

I dont know anyone else that can get anywhere near 13100 which is my top let alone 16k..

[bigblue]

A mate of mine, who's had it for a year or so, can get almost 14,000 with his right hand, and about 12,000 with his left. He isn't really what you'd class as "strong" by any manner of means but he definitely now has the technique.

First time I tried it I thought I'd whup him as I can deadlift far more, but due to awful technique I got about 7,500 I still haven't got to 12,000.

[arbitor]

yeh its not outright strength its more burst strength and being able to hold the motion...

[Mithrandir]

I had trouble getting it started first time round and sometimes still do with my left hand. I've even whipped myself with the red string several times.