Customer Reviews

DynaFlex Docking Station with Amber Powerball 12080 Strengthening System

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This little ball is fantastic. It provides quite a workout for my forearms, and I actually get a workout because it's fun to use. I know that the novelty will wear off eventually, but I can't stop using it at the moment. Even though my arms are tired, I still find myself spooling it up for another go! It's difficult to convey, but it truly is tiring after about a minute, at which point I need to switch arms (although I'm sure that I'll build up stamina). It's a good feeling, though, and let's me know that I'm working out my arms.

It does take a little while to get the hang of starting it, at least for me and those that I've talked to. In fact, I thought that mine was defective when I first tried it. If you have trouble, just give it a little time. The key for me was to get it going past a critical speed at which point I could get in a rhythm with it and speed it up. The starter string works very well for me (I'd like to point out that there are three holes that the string will fit into, two of which have LEDs at the bottom, so use the hole that doesn't have the LEDs). The docking station hasn't worked for me at all, though. Before the ball gets spooled up, the gyro turns it off center so that the spinner in the base actually causes the ball to stop. Kind of a waste for me, seeing as how well the string works. It also only took about a day to get good enough to start it without the string by just using my hand.

I would like to point something out that I missed when I was making my purchase. Despite the "Product Features" listed for this (amber) version and the blue version being identical at the time that I'm writing this, the blue version is actually capable of higher RPMs (18k versus 13k) and more torque (40 lbs instead of 35 lbs). They are described correctly further down on the page, but I didn't notice it there. I thought that I was simply choosing between two colors and not actually getting a less capable Powerball. Add in that the blue version is currently cheaper, and I would have gone with the blue one. I wanted to point that out in case anyone else focused on the top feature listings and missed those two numbers being different in the detailed write-ups.

Despite the base not working for me and the small amount of regret in not getting the blue version, I am extremely happy with this product. I really do consider it fun to use, the lights on it look cool when it's spinning, it even sounds cool when it starts to rev up, and it is more of a workout than I had anticipated. I highly recommend giving one a try, but consider getting the blue version without the base (if it's cheaper without the base).

I have been suffering with Carpal Tunnel like symptoms for nearly 4 years. Since I am a massage therapist, the arm gets no rest. This "handy" (pun intended) little powerball has helped not only increase bloodflow aiding repair of damaged tissue but also has assisted in strengthening the muscles and increasing range of motion. And in my non dominant hand it has helped improve coordination as well. This is the best my wrist and arm have felt in years. The power starter makes for easy starting once I learned how to finesse it. Now I can get it to start up on the first try! The included string works well too.

The Amber Powerball is a lot of fun once you get the hang of it. The docking station is nice for little while, because in the beginning it is difficult to get the PowerBall going fast enough. But, once you get the hang of controlling it, you probably won't need the docking station any more. I never use my docking station anymore, its now easier to start by hand with a good slap across it. I like this product enough that I purchased one for father. He was always squeezing balls and such to keep his grip strong. Once he got the hang of using the Powerball, its all he uses now.

This item was a bit of a problem at first. I called the company and they assisted me in getting the powerball to operate correctly. I have a small hand and the speed and power of this powerball is such that it almost wants to fly out of your hand, so don't stand near anything breakable until you are able to control the unit. I would say this, don't bother with the docking station. It's a big waste of money!

After breaking my wrist earlier this year, I picked up a DynaFlex Powerball. I had a very difficult time using it on my bad hand for the first few days, but then was able to keep it going. After using it for a few weeks, but wrist has built up a pretty good tolerance for the various exercises I do with the DynaFlex. Besides being great for rehab, I have been using it on the other arm as well. When used correctly, you can get a pretty good full arm/upper body workout. The CD that comes along with the item, though a bit cheesy, really shows some good examples of additional exercises that can be done with it.

This device is awesome. The docking station works very well so don't be fooled by reviews that criticize it.
You just need to align the groove on the power ball with the rubber wheel in the base.
Two thumbs up, way up, for this bundle.
Plus it's addicting and your reputation of gadget geek will precede you.

I am using it to build grip strength and also strengthen my wrist due to injuries. It stresses the glycolysis system for your forearms so if you are into grappling or wrestling, this would be a great product to build your lactic acid threshold. So far I have improved (via speedometer readings). The dock sucks so don't even use that. I usually do the thumb flick because it looks cooler. Its very easy to do it with the string. Search how how to do it on Youtube. Speedometer is a good thing to have to track your progression. Works exactly what I wanted it to work.

Love the power ball, but the docking station does not start the ball, I have tried have tested the batteries, even tried changing to new ones just pruchased, but it sill will not spin the ball fast enough to start it, However the ball will start with the string. The ball is great, however the docking station is of no good.

I read about this device having hopes it would help with my carpal tunnel. I ordered the unit with the docking device. I am an Engineer and have a good understanding of dynamics. I bought a fresh pack of batteries, reviewed the instructional CD various times to make sure I didn't miss anything. Powered up the docking station ensuring alignment. The ball got going, but it took a while for the lights to flash, once it did, I picked it up and rotated my wrists very quickly. The rotating ball came to a stop. I kept repeating this, going through more batteries and going back to the DVD to make sure I was doing this correctly.
Eventually I phoned the company. I was talked through the procedure going as far as placing fresh batteries in the docking station. Same end result. The person on the end of the phone suggested I exchange the power-ball for another..............Amazon accommodated, the results are the same. I tried spinning up the power-ball sans docking station with the string for both power-balls. No help.........fail.

Save your money and time. Not worth the frustration.