Powerball 350 Hz Metal Pro

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.

first rate gadget this is brill have had a "normal" powerball for quite some time but these metal ones are the boys! have so far achieved plus 9000rpm but can not hold on, to get better score will try wearing rubber glove for better grip! the storage container it comes in is a work of genuius I only saw the box type before but when my powerball arrived the container for it was a globe shaped work of art held with magnets it looks great even when you are not using it,I can throughly recomend this product you will have loads of fun showing it off to friends and of course using it. zmf

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!