DFX Sports and Fitness Powerball Gyro Exercizer with Docking Station

First thing when I get it, I notice the box it comes in is flimsy and torn. The ball was wrapped in a half-popped bubble wrap bag, the cdrom is laying loose, no paper sleeve. The CD(rom) won't play in a DVD player. The videos are very cheaply done and are in a bad need of an update. It does come with some charts (on the CD).The ball itself is pretty cool. It takes a little bit of practice to get the hang of it... especially with the sucky dock station. Gotta give it a good 5 seconds, then get it to 'catch' right after pulling it off. Both the docking station and the ball look kinda fragile, I would be afraid to drop either. You can get it going with your hand too... I think the string would be the easiest, but I guess I don't get 1 with the docking station. I mean, how much is a string and a paper CD envelope?I think the ball definitely has some potential, though I wanted more force. and a string. and a real DVD. The docking station, however, is junk. It should have more power. It also should have been packed better, with better instructions (or correct instructions[more of a circular motion, not back and forth]), more then a few words written on the flap. I may try the metal version...they are pricey though.Ball itself: 4 starsDock station: 2 stars (if I tried hard enough, I could get it to work)Package and acc.: 1 starUPDATE If you like the feel and idea of this ball, but it is the quality that bugs you, then get the metal version. They are like $100 or so though, so you may want to buy a cheap 1 1st to make sure you like the whole powerball idea. The metal ones give you more weight and resistance. I returned this piece of crap (mostly the dock station I didn't like) and bought the red metal 1. I am happy now.

This is my first Powerball, and so far I've found it entertaining, and a little addictive. Once I get it spinning, I get a little compulsive in keeping it going, switching from hand to hand. I bet I've kept at it for 30 minutes, or more, a couple of times. It seems to be a quality product, and I'm already considering the purchase of one of the more expensive metal ones. The Docking Station? It's hard to imagine how it could be made any cheaper/flimsier. Maybe if it was made using Papier-mâché. Which, of course, would be impossible. It's too bad really, because so far I haven't been able to get the Powerball going any other way (despite watching instructional videos showing the 'thumb flick' and 'karate chop' methods). Initially I put batteries in it that weren't brand new, and while the starting wheel spins like crazy, empty, put the Powerball in, and it didn't move. So, brand new Duracells, and now it does get it going, but barely. And I understand not to press down on it, etc. as I've seen in other reviews, and videos. Maybe these Docking Stations come in varying degrees of quality, but the one I've got is really cheap plastic, and the starter wheel is very precariously mounted and seems likely to fail at some point.

The dingus is fine. I never can't start the PB. But, I usually have to finesse the PB into the DS to get it going because the interface between the two needs some re-engineering. The DS starts an old PB of mine OK, too. I suspect some of the negative comments are due to people trying to force things. Maybe redesigning it to make it easier and more intuitive to use is something for DynaFlex to consider. Only time will tell how cheap the thing is but, so far, so good.The included "training" CD seems to be more of an advertisement for other DynaFlex products than anything else. As a computer savvy guy, when I insert a CD into my computer, I expect the CD to run and guide me; this one lies there like limp liver.I didn't give it five stars because I don't love (or hate) things. Whatever love is, it is too important for mere things. I don't hate anything or anyone.

I purchased the  DynaFlex Docking Station with Blue Powerball 12075 Strengthening System  with the idea of strengthening my grip and adding another dimension to training my arms and shoulders. I'd say the benefits have been mixed.First, I've never been able to get the Docking Station to work. I've tried it many times, but it never gets the Powerball up to sufficient speed. I've also tried the chop and thumb flick methods of starting the Powerball. They do not work, either. Only the string seems to work.Once the Powerball is up to speed, it does give the grip a good challenge. I suppose it has some benefit for that. It might also help for wrist problems, if it doesn't make them worse. However, as for working the arms, it will stress them out quickly, but I'm not sure it's all that great for conditioning.