Powerball 350 Hz Metal Pro

after becoming a powerball addict was itching to buy the metal version but over £60?!? well it was worth every penny, looks fantastic in its magnetic display box. feels a lot heavier but runs so smooth. after a session with this get the regular plastic ball out and it feels light as a feather so watch your revolutions rise. a perfect upgrade and training partner for combined use with the plastic balls. seems a lot of money but feeds my addiction perfectly. give me a few months and popeyes forearms will be puny in comparison.

Bought this on impulse last week - any exercise that involves sitting down has to be good. Initial thoughts are that it is a gimmick, but I have to admit that it is surprisingly addictive. I don't expect to develop the forearms of Popeye but I have noticed a difference in (particularly) my wrists over the last week. And I must resist the several jokes that really need to be made at this point.

As an explanation the motion needed to generate the best speed in the Powerball is a smooth circular wrist action (which of course needs the forearm muscles). As an office worker of many years (lot of time on the keyboard) I have no real strength in my arms/wrists and thought that this toy might be a way to improve strength so that I could show that I am a real man and rip the top off jars etc. Still working up to that but there is, in just a week, a noticeable difference in my wrist flexibility/movement.

In short like any exercise that you repeat regularly this gadget will improve the strength of your forearms and flexibility of your wrists.

Pros - light exercise you can do sitting down while keeping one had free for a beer (resisted temptation for a bad joke again). Improves wrist joint flexibility/coordination.

Cons- takes some practice to use. Nearly threw mine out on day 1 in frustration of not being able to get it going. If you can get this thing going with a "finger flick" you either are Conan or have a massively overdeveloped finger. Either way i would not argue with you.

My opinion - buy it as a toy that just might do you some good if you persevere with it. Also makes a good talking point and great paperweight.

These are behemoths in the powerball arena, and I must stress, do not use these unless you are fairly competent with the regular powerballs (12,000 rpm average). The first thing that will strike you after the really cool mirror finish is the price. Yes, there is no getting around it, they are expensive, but it reflects the build quality of the product. At slow speeds these are quite therapeutic, and actually allow you to feel the motion better than the standard plastic ones, but if you take it out of the safe zone (5000 rpm) then it becomes quite different.

Rule number one, NEVER touch the rotor past 7000 rpm, if you do, you'll only do it once, once burnt twice shy. If you have even slightly clammy hands you'll be in a lot of pain if you touch the rotor (this is from personal experience) since the rotor will pull your finger or palm into the very tight gap between the rotor and the shell, causing a very nasty bruise and possibly a burn.

Now, I'm sorry if that has put some people off, but like other exercise equipment, you must be aware of the dangers. These metal balls are not toys and most certainly not for children. If you're competent with the regular powerball, but seemed to have hit that annoying 12,500-rpm limit, then this will most certainly help. You can't use these like normal powerballs since the inertia from them is almost double, 12,000 rpm on a normal equates to about 9,000 rpm on these. You will quite literally need to use your entire body to use these effectively. Your wrist takes second place when it comes to strain, as it's more about your arm and shoulder. I've been using my metal for about 4 months and can just about reach 11,900 rpm, and it feels like I'm trying to shake a 10kg cocktail shaker with one hand. Suffice it to say that my arms aren't small anymore.

As previously mentioned, they come with a cool looking 2 part clear acrylic case with magnetic locks to hold it in place and comes with quite a selection of spare parts (so you'd expect with the price). It comes with the obligatory 2 starter strings, which are not exactly useful because of the weight of the rotor, but if you're a regular powerballer then you'll be using the old thumb flick start. It also comes with 4 spare washers (these are thinner than the standard powerball washers and as a result wear out faster), a spare polycarbonate support sleeve (I've had to replace mine already) and finally, a spare blue support ring (this locks the sleeve to the rotor and wears away instead of the metal shell). It also comes with a wrist strap in case you drop it, but it's not entirely practical because you'll be switching hands frequently.

The metal powerballs are about 10-20% larger (height/diameter) than the regular powerballs making them harder for people with small hands to use.

I would not recommend these as your first purchase, even if you have strong arms, start with the regulars first, get used to the motion, but once you've gotten your technique up to scratch, then go for it, they give one hell of a workout.

This is a solid metal version of the standard powerball - a gyroscope you spin with your hand to strengthen grip and build up arm muscles.

It puts a greater pressure on your arm and wrist, which is great if you're getting good at the standard ones. Certainly, after using this I did find the standard plastic powerballs to be much easier and lighter to use. This powerball is heavier and generally has a more substantial feel to it. It also starts much more easily, perhaps because of the smoothness of action and balancing they have put into it.

The special case it comes in is funky, with magnetic fastenings. They also include some parts to fix the powerball if you should need to (I haven't yet).

My only criticism is that it's not got the fun factor of the powerball techno or the other ones with flashing LEDs - it's much more for the serious powerball enthusiast (as reflected by the price tag).

It's definitely the next step up in proper, athletic use of powerballs though and I try to use mine at least once on each arm per day to keep that grip and arm strength exercised!

I have been using various powerballs for over two years now and I love it as much now as when I first got it. This metal ball is a step up from the original and is a monster to use, so much fun though! It also comes with an excellent display case so you can show it off to good effect. The manufacturer's description really doesn't do this product justice, although their website does. If you use this powerball at low speeds it is great for RSI and other wrist/arm injuries. At high speeds it gives an amazing workout and really builds up all the arm and shoulder muscles, especially if you're used to standard powerballs. The build quality is incredible (do not be tempted by inferior wannabes) and the lifetime guarantee is unbeatable. I've had to replace a small part (on one of my standard powerballs) already due to my intensive usage! and they sent out the part quickly, free of charge and with full fitting instructions, can't say fairer than that! Especially as this Powerball comes with a small selection of replacement parts. It is truly addictive and put it on a table in a room full of friends and you will all soon be fighting to out do one another on high speeds and other stats that the computer on top measures. I could write so much more about this product, but really you've got to buy one and try for yourself, you will not regret it!