Bought A Wrist Device

[Rdmonster]

Since I've spent the beter part of my 42 years hurting my body in some fashion (usually involving bicycles, motorcycles,skateboards,high places or anyhing else that can generate a fall and break bones) I'm suprised I dont need a full body brace. Once I had my thumb issues fixed I guessed I was home free.

I'm used to my left knee hurting as I have torqued it in golf for years not to mention planting it deeply in the ground during a motorcycle wreck I'd rather forget about. Tylenol,ice and the occasional Vicodin keep it in check just fine. I also have a brace I wear on it when I really need some extra support...it helps....alot.

After starting in a league...after years of only bowling sporadically...and then upping my practice I have developed a sore wrist. Its not very bad and I am going to be using my grip exerciser (the old fashioned spring powered squeezer type).I also purchased a Mongoose lifter off the internet.

I got it to prevent increasing soreness and to help get my technique down a little better. I'm not sure if I will wear it in league unless it really helps a bunch.It was a high rated one. Any thoughts on this particular device.

[billf]

It's a good brace. If your wrist is sore then by all means use it during league.

[Tampabaybob]

RD ...... You sound like my oldest son..an accident looking for a place to happen !! LOL The wrist brace will definitely help your wrist soreness as well as help you to stay under the ball with your hand. We don't like to hear about people getting hurt in bowling.....it's bad press for the sport !! LOL again.

[Rdmonster]

Thats funny Bob...if he's an adrenaline junkie like me then your probably spot on. When he gets to my age he will understand that pain is not temporary but has a way of coming back to haunt you.

If you guys want to see some cool videos look under JREED1340 on youtube. I have a hi def camera mounted on my Ducati...

[scottymoney]

I have a wrist device myself and have used it for close 3 weeks or so. I haven't really seen much improvement in my game, but it does help when my wrist is sore to alleviate the pain. I am going to try and not use it and see what happens, but at least I know it is in the bag when my wrist does hurt.

[Big Nick]

I have both a Storm Gadget XF and a Robby's Cool-Max, and I use both regularly. I prefer the Robby's, but the Gadget has it's place. It really helps me generate more revs when the lanes are wet. The one bad thing about the Gadget, though, is that the support behind the index finger tends to make me want to come around the ball and impart too much side roll. I have to really be cognizant of the position of my hand and make sure to stay behind the ball when I use it.

[Freebird]

I just started using one as well and like the feel of the ball with it. I had to add a strip of Velcro to make it snug. I am scared to bowl without it.

[Rdmonster]

I tried it tonight...I felt it helped me get my thumb out but I was inconsistent...I'm sure it will help to keep my wrist from getting sore but I'm not sure I'm ready to use it in league.

[wimsical]

I play with a wrist brace, I got it for two reasons, the first was I hurt my wrist a few months ago and after that my wrist hurt pretty much every time I played 'till I started using the brace (now it's completely gone and I can probably play without again), two is that I feel more consistant in my release with it currently.

[unclemantis]

Sometimes I loose stability in my wrist and my hand turns over the ball and I drop it. I am thinking of getting a wrist device myself. For you all that know my bowling style, what would you all recommend?

[Big Nick]

Sometimes I loose stability in my wrist and my hand turns over the ball and I drop it. I am thinking of getting a wrist device myself. For you all that know my bowling style, what would you all recommend?

It all depends on what you want to get out of the device. My favorite brace that I currently have is my Robby's Cool-Max. All it does is help to keep your wrist straight and has no support behind your fingers at all. As such, you can throw a flat shot or a big hook with it on depending on hand position and how strong you keep your fingers. The braces that have finger supports will have to be adjusted prior to the shot depending on what you're trying to make the ball do. If you need hook, you'll have to set the brace to have more cup. If you want to throw a flat shot, you'll have to straighten out the wrist. My biggest problem that I have with my adjustable braces is that I always forget to adjust it and wind up throwing too much hook at a spare, or too flat on my strike ball.

[unclemantis]

It all depends on what you want to get out of the device. My favorite brace that I currently have is my Robby's Cool-Max. All it does is help to keep your wrist straight and has no support behind your fingers at all. As such, you can throw a flat shot or a big hook with it on depending on hand position and how strong you keep your fingers. The braces that have finger supports will have to be adjusted prior to the shot depending on what you're trying to make the ball do. If you need hook, you'll have to set the brace to have more cup. If you want to throw a flat shot, you'll have to straighten out the wrist. My biggest problem that I have with my adjustable braces is that I always forget to adjust it and wind up throwing too much hook at a spare, or too flat on my strike ball.

I just need help reminding myself to CUP the ball and keep my elbow straight since I don't use a thumb.

[Tampabaybob]

Rd - Ok the video made me dizzy and left me hankering to get back on a motorcycle. Had to stop half way through or I might run out and buy one.

Funny thing though, the one video with the most hits, is the one about almost crashing ! I wonder why people love that stuff !!

[K3ntFIN]

There is only one reason one would resort to using a wrist support device (this sounds very aggressive, not my intention, sorry about that) and that's if there is some physical limitation/injury that prevents you from bowling without.
While it helps to keep your hand in the correct position through the swing it kills your release. Usually it also limits your release to one and kills revs. There's a reason none of today's pros use it. Hess, Rash, Russell, Koivuniemi, Loschetter, Jones... None use a wrist support.
Wrist and shoulder problems are usually due to too much force in the swing and release, one would be better off practicing a more relaxed technique than resorting to this paraphernalia.
That said, exceptions do exsist.

[Rdmonster]

I had to return the brace for one size smaller. I am going to try it in practice to see if it encourages a better release. I have been bowling pretty well without it and I feel like my wrist is toughening up. LOL

I gotta tell you Bob...that garbage truck almost killed me. Keep in mind the camera is about 2 feet back from the front tire. I cant wait to get the Ducati back to the mountains. I hope to be able to get another motorcycle next year...this is why I refuse to buy new cars...saves money for bikes.

[Tampabaybob]

There is only one reason one would resort to using a wrist support device (this sounds very aggressive, not my intention, sorry about that) and that's if there is some physical limitation/injury that prevents you from bowling without.
While it helps to keep your hand in the correct position through the swing it kills your release. Usually it also limits your release to one and kills revs. There's a reason none of today's pros use it. Hess, Rash, Russell, Koivuniemi, Loschetter, Jones... None use a wrist support.
Wrist and shoulder problems are usually due to too much force in the swing and release, one would be better off practicing a more relaxed technique than resorting to this paraphernalia.
That said, exceptions do exsist.

Not sure I'm in agreement with you. Many "newer bowlers" do not have the wrist strength to support the ball with a straight wrist and in that case a wrist support will definitely help. As far as rotation goes, a "good" bowler can still get a good amount of rotation from his ball if he's using a wrist guard. Telling newer bowlers not to use one increases the chance of wrist injuries. Just because you don't see many pro's using them, don't judge your average bowler by that. The pros have been doing this for many years and have built up there wrist strength. They also shoot 50 -100 games a week. Please don't mix apples with the oranges. They do serve a purpose.

[unclemantis]

Not sure I'm in agreement with you. Many "newer bowlers" do not have the wrist strength to support the ball with a straight wrist and in that case a wrist support will definitely help. As far as rotation goes, a "good" bowler can still get a good amount of rotation from his ball if he's using a wrist guard. Telling newer bowlers not to use one increases the chance of wrist injuries. Just because you don't see many pro's using them, don't judge your average bowler by that. The pros have been doing this for many years and have built up there wrist strength. They also shoot 50 -100 games a week. Please don't mix apples with the oranges. They do serve a purpose.

Since I am a no thumb release and I cup the ball and I have a low backswing, what would you recommend for a devise for me? My wrist starts hurting and i beging dropping the ball entering my 3rd game.

[bowl1820]

Since I am a no thumb release and I cup the ball and I have a low backswing, what would you recommend for a devise for me? My wrist starts hurting and i beging dropping the ball entering my 3rd game.

IMHO since you bowl thumbless almost any wrist would be pointless. Because you need the flexibility of the hand more and most devices limit hand movement.

Now you could go with a simple wrist wrap
https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS0zKNw1OLE2bt4mIdKDSUtwqeGfkVCC Y-xN9wl7ANAxRToBay7Qg
or maybe just a basic robbies wrist support.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NTAwWDUwMA==/$(KGrHqF,!ikFBIgYCwwEBQUlqODZDw~~60_35.JPG

[unclemantis]

IMHO since you bowl thumbless almost any wrist would be pointless. Because you need the flexibility of the hand more and most devices limit hand movement.

Now you could go with a simple wrist wrap
https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS0zKNw1OLE2bt4mIdKDSUtwqeGfkVCC Y-xN9wl7ANAxRToBay7Qg
or maybe just a basic robbies wrist support.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NTAwWDUwMA==/$(KGrHqF,!ikFBIgYCwwEBQUlqODZDw~~60_35.JPG

I will try that

[K3ntFIN]

Ah, thumbless. Missed that first time around. Then a wrist "device" is even more wrong. You need the range of movement in the wrist for a proper release. Thumbless bowling does put a lot of strain on the joints in your arm if the timing's even slightly off, since you won't produce a normal swing but utilize the elastic tension to create some force. For the wrist, there's a little device, can't remember what it's called now, but it's the size of a tennis ball and has a gyroscope in it that creates a good amount of force when spun. An easy way to build up strength in the wrists. A lot of enduro and motocross bikers use it.

Tampabaybob: I agree, the wrist devices do serve a purpose, but I do think the average bowler would do better in learning a proper swing instead. Let gravity and inertia do it's work and you won't have to 'keep' the hand behind the ball. The hand just stays there. Usually it is when force is applied during the downswing that the wrist 'opens', mostly down to timing issues as the release is rushed.

[unclemantis]

Ah, thumbless. Missed that first time around. Then a wrist "device" is even more wrong. You need the range of movement in the wrist for a proper release. Thumbless bowling does put a lot of strain on the joints in your arm if the timing's even slightly off, since you won't produce a normal swing but utilize the elastic tension to create some force. For the wrist, there's a little device, can't remember what it's called now, but it's the size of a tennis ball and has a gyroscope in it that creates a good amount of force when spun. An easy way to build up strength in the wrists. A lot of enduro and motocross bikers use it.

Tampabaybob: I agree, the wrist devices do serve a purpose, but I do think the average bowler would do better in learning a proper swing instead. Let gravity and inertia do it's work and you won't have to 'keep' the hand behind the ball. The hand just stays there. Usually it is when force is applied during the downswing that the wrist 'opens', mostly down to timing issues as the release is rushed.

I am still getting back into the swing of things after 12 years.

I did discover my timing was off last night so that took a lot of strain off my wrist and allowed for a higher backswing and 1mph increase on my speed. Not sure about my revs, need to bring the camera.

[unclemantis]

Looks like the range in price. This is the cheapest I found

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008UKQTCU/sr=1-1/qid=1359375010/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1359375010&seller=&sr=1-1

[J Anderson]

Ah, thumbless. Missed that first time around. Then a wrist "device" is even more wrong. You need the range of movement in the wrist for a proper release. Thumbless bowling does put a lot of strain on the joints in your arm if the timing's even slightly off, since you won't produce a normal swing but utilize the elastic tension to create some force. For the wrist, there's a little device, can't remember what it's called now, but it's the size of a tennis ball and has a gyroscope in it that creates a good amount of force when spun. An easy way to build up strength in the wrists. A lot of enduro and motocross bikers use it.

Tampabaybob: I agree, the wrist devices do serve a purpose, but I do think the average bowler would do better in learning a proper swing instead. Let gravity and inertia do it's work and you won't have to 'keep' the hand behind the ball. The hand just stays there. Usually it is when force is applied during the downswing that the wrist 'opens', mostly down to timing issues as the release is rushed.

My question is what the heck is an average bowler? Is it the guy or gal who bowls in one league and only owns their own ball and shoes because they hate rental shoes? Is it one of the bowlers that fills the center on a Friday or Saturday night with cosmic lights and loud music?
Is it the guy who bowls in two or three big money leagues and hopes to win enough cash to buy a couple more balls?

In my mind, the bowler who likes to bowl mostly for the social aspect but is a bit competitive, a brace is fine to give him or her the consistency that they'll never develop bowling once a week.

For some one who is more serious, I agree that they should work on learning good technique, in which case the brace could be used as a training device, with the goal of not needing it at all.