NSD Power Ball
NSD Power US
Ages 14 and up, no batteries required
I received the NSD Power ball as a gift. I had no idea what a “hand gyroscope” was, but the packaging suggested it could be used for exercise and fun. My natural reaction was suspicion (“exercise” and “fun” being words I believe have no place in the same sentence) and I was all set to stash it in the back of my wardrobe and never look at it again. That is, until I opened the box.
The ball is sleek and futuristic. Rubber grips juxtaposed with smooth acrylic make it eminently pickupable. The device has a pleasant weightiness which surprises you the first time you lift it, while the transparent shell shows off the curves and chrome of the mysterious inner mechanism. Inside the box I also found some red strings, which baffled me at first. After some fruitless tinkering and fruitful online research I was able to “get to grips” with the ball and try it out. Insert and then yank out the red strings in order to jumpstart the gyro. Once you’ve done that, the aim is to keep it spinning through subtle twists of your wrist. Spin fast enough and the device starts to glow. Lose your rhythm and the lights go out. The ball isn’t designed to be used in the dark but it’s difficult to resist the urge.
To watch someone else spinning is to want a go yourself. The ball begs to be passed around. Can your spin beat your friend’s speed-score? Can you hand it over without the gyro slowing to a stop? The ball is tough to handle at first, but you’ll gradually find your stamina increasing. You’ll spin it longer and faster than you could the day before and there’s real satisfaction in that. It even begins to feel, dare I say it, fun.
The company’s website describes the ball as having almost mythic qualities: able to cure tendonitis and repetitive strain injury, reversing the effects of keyboard-induced carpal tunnel syndrome, testimonials from tennis players, violinists and secretaries alike. While I can’t personally vouch for its restorative features, I can certainly say I haven’t been dropping my mobile phone anywhere near as often, and I’ve been giving a hell of a handshake recently.
– Damien McLaughlin
NSD Power Ball
NSD Power US
Ages 14 and up, no batteries required