Why Is Power Ball On The Gripboard?

[johnderrilll]

how do u feel about powerball?

[Benedikt Farsmann]

In the beginning I was using it as a workout tool but now that I've realized that you literally can't train both hands equally it's just worth for warm-ups or to use for fun.

Edited March 27, 2009 by Klesen

[mbcx6pmw]

Ben, could you explain what you mean about not being able to train both hands equally?

Thanks

[Benedikt Farsmann]

Ben, could you explain what you mean about not being able to train both hands equally?

Thanks

For example if you train with a #1 you can do 5 repetitions with your left hand and 5 repetitions with your right hand - you can train them both the same way - equally.

If you train with a Powerball you can't hit exactly the same numbers with both hands. One hand will always get better numbers or be more exhausted after training than the other hand. So you can't train your hands equally.

[mbcx6pmw]

Hmm, that doesn't make much sense to me. Using your example, unless your hands are exactly equal in strength, one hand will get more reps on the #1, or you will stop the set before failure with your stronger hand and it will thus be less exhausted. You could say the same with any piece of equipment where one hand is tested.

Having said all that, there seems to be a bit of skill involved in powerball, although I can get similar numbers with my non-dominant (right) hand, it always feels less controlled, like I have to flail my arm around more.

[Benedikt Farsmann]

Hmm, that doesn't make much sense to me. Using your example, unless your hands are exactly equal in strength, one hand will get more reps on the #1, or you will stop the set before failure with your stronger hand and it will thus be less exhausted. You could say the same with any piece of equipment where one hand is tested.

Having said all that, there seems to be a bit of skill involved in powerball, although I can get similar numbers with my non-dominant (right) hand, it always feels less controlled, like I have to flail my arm around more.

Equal hand strenght is the major thing I wanted to point out. When I train grippers I just do as many reps with my stronger hand as with my weaker hand. Using my example again: I do 4 reps LH, 4 reps RH. But you literally can't hit exactly 10.000 rounds in 30sec on the Powerball with you LH and the same with your RH. It's just impossible to train both hands equally. Of course there is skill involved but if you move your left arm in a other way than your right arm, the training once again becomes unequal. Don't missunderstand me. I like my Powerball and I'm still using it from time to time but I don't think it helps to bring my hands and arms to about equal strength. That's all.

[abagh89]

I like powerball its good to use and gives a good burn in the forearms. Although you wont be able to train your hands exactly equal, i wouldnt worry to much about it. Just train each hand as hard as you can. Even with grippers based on my past experience and from posts on the board not many people's hands are exactly equal in strength, they might be able to get 6 reps right hand and only 3 with left.