Over the holiday break I was catching up on some online reading including Bruce Simpson’s Aardvark Daily column.  Just prior to Christmas, Bruce – with the help of his readers – published a What’s Hot For 2006 with suggested presents for the geeky or gadget-minded loved one.  It was on that page I first discovered the PowerBall!

I’ll not say too much here as their website explains it very well.  Suffice to say it is both healthy (if used sensibly) and addictive!  The model I bought is the Neon Blue Pro shown at right.  It is an exerciser with a difference and has been shown to be incredibly effective at toning and building your arm muscles.  And it has never been so much fun!

There are numerous models. The basic models, which differ in outer shell colour (green, blue, orange) are $39.99. Add bright LEDs that light up when the ball is in action and you’ll pay $49.99 (orange has red LEDs).  Or a speed meter that measures RPM and total revolutions for $59.99.  Or both LEDs and speed meter for $69.99.  Finally, go the whole hog with the PowerBall Metal for $199.00 for a whole different class of product.

You can buy the speed meter-less models and later upgrade them with the meter at a $5 premium over buying with the meter on (not including shipping).

My top speed so far is 11,403. A respectable figure that would put me 33rd equal on the New Zealand PowerBallers’ Scoreboard.  Not a patch, however, on international champion Akis from Greece who, with arms like tree trunks scored an astonishing 16,317!!  Check out the video of this feat.