Powerballs - Any good? - Page 2

LeperousDust · 05-01-2009, 23:39

Just wrap it up more carefully, defo works fine as long as its put in right

Starting it with your thumb looks much cooler and is much easier and quicker when you get used to it.

NokkonWud · 06-01-2009, 00:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeperousDust

Just wrap it up more carefully, defo works fine as long as its put in right

lol, that's made me laugh

AboveTheSalt · 06-01-2009, 00:02

I know a rower who bought one to strengthen his wrists - he eventually settled on something which I think was called a Grip-Stick.

LeperousDust · 06-01-2009, 00:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by NokkonWud

lol, that's made me laugh

Didn't quite come out as expected i guess, genius though...

Will · 06-01-2009, 08:53

To increase wrist strength I doubt they'll do much, though they migh do enough to the small tendons to give a bit more endurance. Things like static holds (i.e. just hanging from your arms on a branch or pull up bar) for as long as you can will do more for wrist and grip strength. If you can old your bodyweight for a minute, then try adding weight around your waist or holding it between your leg. Do this 3/4 times a day. I can now hold my bodyweight+60kg for easily over a minute now - I'm sure I could probably hold 100kg if I had to - but I like to build it up slowly.

Anothing thing for wrist strength is plate holds.. i.e. holding weights plates between your thumb and fingers one in each hand by your side as long as you can (aim for 30s). The first few months it doesnt' feel like you're doing much, but your grip and wrist strength will increase a surprising amount.

The powerball can't really do you much harm though.

Pheebs · 06-01-2009, 10:52

They helped improve my grip and seemed to strengthen my lower arm muscles (don't know what they're called!)

My wrists are weeeeeeeeeny as well (I think we were comparing them at NYE actually and realised we're quite similar!)! If I recall rightly, when using power balls my wrists hurtsys after a while!

I think it would help a lot for what you're looking for! Is there anyone nearby who has one who can lend you one for a week to see what you reckon? I would have brought ours up at NYE had I known! Doh!

Though saying that... I don't know where ours is!

I lost our string for ours ages ago I think... can start it up with a thumb flick followed by a whip of the wrist alright though

Mark - if you try it and don't give up at the initial stall (mine would splutter a couple of times before getting going) it may work

phykell · 06-01-2009, 18:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will

To increase wrist strength I doubt they'll do much, though they migh do enough to the small tendons to give a bit more endurance. Things like static holds (i.e. just hanging from your arms on a branch or pull up bar) for as long as you can will do more for wrist and grip strength. If you can old your bodyweight for a minute, then try adding weight around your waist or holding it between your leg. Do this 3/4 times a day. I can now hold my bodyweight+60kg for easily over a minute now - I'm sure I could probably hold 100kg if I had to - but I like to build it up slowly.

Anothing thing for wrist strength is plate holds.. i.e. holding weights plates between your thumb and fingers one in each hand by your side as long as you can (aim for 30s). The first few months it doesnt' feel like you're doing much, but your grip and wrist strength will increase a surprising amount.

The powerball can't really do you much harm though.

Piano is fantastic for strengthening hands, wrists and forearms

I did use a powerball when I was working away - just to keep my playing strength and I *think* it was pretty effective.

Pebs · 07-01-2009, 14:52

I used one when I was playing tennis a lot and also when I broke my wrist. Its great for improving forearm strength and I do think it helped my wrist. I also had problems with both wrists where I couldnt flex them back to do press-ups etc without massive pain and it helped that too.

I start it on my leg, just whoosh it down. Id like one with a counter though.

Wryel · 08-01-2009, 14:30

Get on a climbing wall, my lower arm muscles (I don't know what they're called either) can actually be seen now.

phykell · 08-01-2009, 23:21

I was really crap at starting it - once it was spinning using the cord, I couldn't then get the momentum up to enough speed to maintain it. Everybody else I knew picked it up in no time but I can now (eventually) start it by flicking the wheel with my thumb.

I've got it well past 11,000 rpm but my problem is that my hands are very large (spades) and holding it flat in my palm is impossible as my fingers wrap all the way around and touch the ball (hurts when it catches). I end up having to use just three fingers and my thumb to hold it. It's really irritating as I'm sure I could to much better if it was perhaps a third larger than it is (oo-er).

05-01-2009, 23:39	#11
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	Just wrap it up more carefully, defo works fine as long as its put in right Starting it with your thumb looks much cooler and is much easier and quicker when you get used to it. __________________

06-01-2009, 08:53	#15
Will BBx woz 'ere :P Join Date: Jan 1970 Posts: 2,147,487,208	To increase wrist strength I doubt they'll do much, though they migh do enough to the small tendons to give a bit more endurance. Things like static holds (i.e. just hanging from your arms on a branch or pull up bar) for as long as you can will do more for wrist and grip strength. If you can old your bodyweight for a minute, then try adding weight around your waist or holding it between your leg. Do this 3/4 times a day. I can now hold my bodyweight+60kg for easily over a minute now - I'm sure I could probably hold 100kg if I had to - but I like to build it up slowly. Anothing thing for wrist strength is plate holds.. i.e. holding weights plates between your thumb and fingers one in each hand by your side as long as you can (aim for 30s). The first few months it doesnt' feel like you're doing much, but your grip and wrist strength will increase a surprising amount. The powerball can't really do you much harm though. __________________ *No No!*

06-01-2009, 10:52	#16
Pheebs Deep Throat Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 6,512	They helped improve my grip and seemed to strengthen my lower arm muscles (don't know what they're called!) My wrists are weeeeeeeeeny as well (I think we were comparing them at NYE actually and realised we're quite similar!)! If I recall rightly, when using power balls my wrists hurtsys after a while! I think it would help a lot for what you're looking for! Is there anyone nearby who has one who can lend you one for a week to see what you reckon? I would have brought ours up at NYE had I known! Doh! Though saying that... I don't know where ours is! I lost our string for ours ages ago I think... can start it up with a thumb flick followed by a whip of the wrist alright though Mark - if you try it and don't give up at the initial stall (mine would splutter a couple of times before getting going) it may work __________________ http://www.spiffingdesigns.co.uk

07-01-2009, 14:52	#18
Pebs Easymouth Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 6,716	I used one when I was playing tennis a lot and also when I broke my wrist. Its great for improving forearm strength and I do think it helped my wrist. I also had problems with both wrists where I couldnt flex them back to do press-ups etc without massive pain and it helped that too. I start it on my leg, just whoosh it down. Id like one with a counter though. __________________ ...faster you naughty little monkey! Running through hell, heaven can wait!

08-01-2009, 23:21	#20
phykell Vodka Martini Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 833	I was really crap at starting it - once it was spinning using the cord, I couldn't then get the momentum up to enough speed to maintain it. Everybody else I knew picked it up in no time but I can now (eventually) start it by flicking the wheel with my thumb. I've got it well past 11,000 rpm but my problem is that my hands are very large (spades) and holding it flat in my palm is impossible as my fingers wrap all the way around and touch the ball (hurts when it catches). I end up having to use just three fingers and my thumb to hold it. It's really irritating as I'm sure I could to much better if it was perhaps a third larger than it is (oo-er). __________________

08-01-2009, 14:30	#19
Wryel Absinthe Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,148	Get on a climbing wall, my lower arm muscles (I don't know what they're called either) can actually be seen now.