What is it?

It's a hand-powered gyroscope!

Why is it cool?

Well, this may take some explaining so bear with me. Basically a gyroscope is used for navigation/stabilisation (but not in this case). When the gyroscope spins it exerts a force which keeps it pointing in the same direction no matter where you turn. The more it spins, the more force it produces. In the case of the Powerball, you hold it in your hand and rotate your wrist in a circular motion to make the gyroscope spin faster. The faster it spins, the harder it is to keep control and to help you keep track of how fast you have managed to spin it, there is a rev counter on the top. At maximum speed, the Powerball can send as much as 40lbs of torque through your wrist/arm making it a wolf in sheep's clothing; you're keeping fit without even realising it and having fun at the same time!

Is it any good?

Ho-ho-ho yeah it is! Not only does it illuminate in a colour of your choice when it spins but it is painfully addictive. After a bit of hit and miss getting it to spin correctly, you find yourself trying over and over again to better your maximum speed. Keeping the rhythm going, trying to go faster and ignore the pain from playing with it too much can be quite taxing but for some reason you just want to keep going! After literally five minutes of playing with it, I couldn't type properly! I'm maxing out at 9,412 RPM at the moment but I am quite determined to at least try and reach the 16,000+ RPM records held by other Powerball addicts. It's so damn hard! The more you play with it, the stronger your arms and wrists will become (insert your own joke there) and the faster you'll be able to spin it. Who'd have thought keep-fit could be fun!? I know you may still be a bit confused about this, I know I was when I first heard of them. I never quite got what they did or what they were for but now I have one I think they just plain rock! I had about eight people round my flat the other day and I couldn't get it back off them for love nor money. Trust me, if you get one you'll love it too.

I want one! How much? Where from?

You can buy the Powerball Neon Pro (the best one in my opinion) for £24.95 from Firebox, HERE

nedge2k

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