Power Sleeve

[unclemantis]

What do you all think of the High 5 Gear Power Sleeve?

http://www.high5gear.com/store/custom-shirt/jasonbelmonte/powersleeve.html

[Fishhawk]

There's a saying in the fishing world, some tackle is designed to catch fisherman instead of fish. I don't know if this is necessarily meant to catch bowlers instead of results but it seems unnecessary at first view. Perhaps it helps with muscle soreness but I'd also challenge that with stretching, hydration, proper technique, etc. Worst case, it's a $25 fashion statement :rolleyes:

[e-tank]

It looks like the same thing basketball players wear. If thats the case then it does nothing more than keep your arm warm

[Tampabaybob]

Just another gadget, helping make Belmo some pocket change. LOL

[unclemantis]

Just another gadget, helping make Belmo some pocket change. LOL

True LOL

[striker12]

well the power sleeve is for when your bowling and your arm starts sweating then it slid's down your hand and makes it hard to hold the ball so the power sleeve stops that by absorbing the sweating from your arm just like one of those sweat band thing that you put on your arm i'm thinking of maby getting one of these but one that will match my USBC shirt.

[unclemantis]

well the power sleeve is for when your bowling and your arm starts sweating then it slid's down your hand and makes it hard to hold the ball so the power sleeve stops that by absorbing the sweating from your arm just like one of those sweat band thing that you put on your arm i'm thinking of maby getting one of these but one that will match my USBC shirt.

I don't have hot, ultra bright tv cameras on me when I bowl.

[ecub]

Looks like some kind of compression sleeve. Runners use them on their legs, so why not bowlers using them on their arms?

[Tampabaybob]

well the power sleeve is for when your bowling and your arm starts sweating then it slid's down your hand and makes it hard to hold the ball so the power sleeve stops that by absorbing the sweating from your arm just like one of those sweat band thing that you put on your arm i'm thinking of maby getting one of these but one that will match my USBC shirt.

I live in Florida and it get's really, really hot here in the summer, even with the ac on in the bowling center and I can tell you I'd need a body sleeve not an arm sleeve to bowl a lot of games. Sorry still not convinced. LOL

[wimsical]

I don't think there's any benefit to it at all aside from looking fancy. Then again I've never used it so I could be wrong.

[Zothen]

Since I suffer from tendinitous in elbow that affects my bicep,I went and bought the sleeve. I just got it and will use it monday and see if it helps! I did try it on and had this warming sensation in my bicep,so hopefully it will help.

Zothen

[striker12]

I live in Florida and it get's really, really hot here in the summer, even with the ac on in the bowling center and I can tell you I'd need a body sleeve not an arm sleeve to bowl a lot of games. Sorry still not convinced. LOL

ik what you mean by it getting hot but i have never been in that hot of weather last summer it got so hot out here in ontario to a record high that i could barly go out side i could not breathe and when i went bowling i was wearing shorts and a light t-shirt and still sweating but also cloverleaf AC dose not work at all so one day i brought in a few fans for everyone in the league 1 for every pair of lanes and the owner came in and smashed 3 of them i told him he better replace my fans and he said i should not have then here, the i said how about you stop being a cheap Blank and fix the AC.

but the sleeve also do look cool but think your hole body sweats but this stops from sweat getting on your hand when you are say in the middle of a backswing or release so it wont mess you up and make you stop a good streak of strikes.

[Tampabaybob]

ik what you mean by it getting hot but i have never been in that hot of weather last summer it got so hot out here in ontario to a record high that i could barly go out side i could not breathe and when i went bowling i was wearing shorts and a light t-shirt and still sweating but also cloverleaf AC dose not work at all so one day i brought in a few fans for everyone in the league 1 for every pair of lanes and the owner came in and smashed 3 of them i told him he better replace my fans and he said i should not have then here, the i said how about you stop being a cheap Blank and fix the AC.

but the sleeve also do look cool but think your hole body sweats but this stops from sweat getting on your hand when you are say in the middle of a backswing or release so it wont mess you up and make you stop a good streak of strikes.

Go ahead and try it. It's not that expensive that'll break the bank and besides many people here on the boards would likey get additional info on something that "could" help them. I'm curious but I don't think I need one.

[unclemantis]

Go ahead and try it. It's not that expensive that'll break the bank and besides many people here on the boards would likey get additional info on something that "could" help them. I'm curious but I don't think I need one.

For 25$ what ever. Let me get my game consistent first. Found out I need larger finger inserts. But so.far I am kicking ***!

Just got done with a little Practice.
Bowled a 190, 182, 182, 146, 205 for a 905 series!

[GeoLes]

Montel Williams is marketing a model with Gold in the elastic. It's supposed to have theraputic value. It think his sells for about the same as these without gold. You know the price of gold only goes up, so get them while the price is right.

[Tampabaybob]

Gold.....Really? Maybe I should come up with one with copper. That's supposed to ease arthritis also. These are gimmicks for the most part as I see it, but I did notice Chris Barnes wearing one yesterday in the team challenge. Nothing speaks louder than having a pro wear one on TV. Wonder how much he got paid for wearing it ? LOL

[GeoLes]

You have got to be kidding me!!!!!

After all, I read about it on the internet. If it's on the internet, it has to be true. (No I did not get that from the internet. I got it from Al Gore, himself)

[crimsoneyes]

I use one. Not this brand in particular but I find that it keeps my tendons in place and that my elbow pain is gone since I started using it. I have pretty severe tendonitis and the sleeve definitely helps. I doubt it will benefit people with out tendon or elbow problems.

[Flyer41]

I don't see any benefit to them unless you are struggling with tendonitis or similar issues that slight compression is proven to help with. It looks like another one of those Power-Balance type products where you're paying $25 for a placebo effect, which might be worth it for some people if they can't figure out why their arm/elbow is bugging them.

[Zothen]

I used my new power sleeve tonight and it kept my bicep nice and warm. It generated a fair amount of heat,but,if you blow on it or put it in front of a fan,you get a cooling effect. I had 0 pain in elbow and bicep after 4 games. I would recommend it!

Zothen

PS-You can customize the sleeve which is nice!

[TheSheibs]

I agree with most of you. If you have any pain issues with your arm, then this might be a product worth picking up. If you don't have any pain issues, then it would not be worth it.

[Tampabaybob]

I used my new power sleeve tonight and it kept my bicep nice and warm. It generated a fair amount of heat,but,if you blow on it or put it in front of a fan,you get a cooling effect. I had 0 pain in elbow and bicep after 4 games. I would recommend it!

Zothen

PS-You can customize the sleeve which is nice!

Glad to see it worked for you. Now all you need to do is buy a fan and carry that with you to keep the sleeve cool !! LOL How's that fan fit into your bowling bag ??

[unclemantis]

I don't see any benefit to them unless you are struggling with tendonitis or similar issues that slight compression is proven to help with. It looks like another one of those Power-Balance type products where you're paying $25 for a placebo effect, which might be worth it for some people if they can't figure out why their arm/elbow is bugging them.

I agree with the placebo

[Zothen]

Don't have a fan small enough,so I just swing my arm or lay it on a cool surface.

Zothen

[unclemantis]

Don't have a fan small enough,so I just swing my arm or lay it on a cool surface.

Zothen

I see on TV during the PBA they have floor fans pointing up at the bowlers during their break.

[Tampabaybob]

After each shot...run into the bar and stick your arm in the beer cooler !! Solution solved ! Now while your hand is in there ... don't forget your team mates ! LOL

[unclemantis]

After each shot...run into the bar and stick your arm in the beer cooler !! Solution solved ! Now while your hand is in there ... don't forget your team mates ! LOL

Now that's funny!

[Zothen]

I don't trust the bar girls in terms of breaking a bottle over my head!

Zothen

[Tampabaybob]

Sounds like you've had some experience in that type of "activity" Zothen. And what do you do when you're not bowling ?????

[Zothen]

No experience,but,the bar girls look like they could kick a bikers ***! When not bowling I work out 3 days a week with a trainer to help keep my low back/hip from going out and strengthen the core. I also go to alley and practice my footing,different hand position,timing,armswing,etc when my body allows it.

Zothen

[killing machine]

I use to wear a elbow sleeve whenever my elbow or biceps was sore from lifting weights a day or two before bowling or multiple days of bowling. I noticed that Belmonte Jones started wearing the arm sleeve recently and if it works for them and others, then. I'm cool with that.

[unclemantis]

I just need to throw a consistent shot each time before I need to get something like this.

[swingset]

I was very skeptical of the need of something like this earlier in the thread...don't feel like most bowlers would benefit, but then I decided to do some experimenting.

I have several compression sleeves from cycling and running...and I use them and know their benefits when doing hard workouts, but I never thought of bowling as particularly hard on the bicep or forearm to warrant compression. That said, I've been having a real problem with my first game being all over the place lately...my whole team has. After the first 10-15 frames we really settle down and do well but we're all slow starters.

We were talking at league and I asked if other other two guys would try a sleeve on warmup and our league the next week. I brought some in and we all wore them and just bowled as normal. Now, this is far from scientific but we all turned it on earlier and saw a 20-40 pin increase on the first game and our 2nd and 3rd were strong too.

I'll continue to use one for the rest of league and practice session to see if I notice a tangible benefit but if it is helping to keep some uniformity in muscle movement and helping to warm up the muscles I'm actually thinking it's a cheap and painless option to consider for others.

[Zothen]

Update from earlier post!

For the past 2 weeks(From 2/5-2/18)I have used my power sleeve for bowling and working out. For bowling I used to have to wear a tendonitis brace,but,since wearing the power sleeve,I no longer wear the brace and I no longer have pain in the elbow or bicep. I also wear this when I do resistance and light weight traning and I have no more pain in bicep or elbow. As I said,I would highly recommend this sleeve as it does work!

Zothen

[DrOcktagon]

Just got mine in the mail, but won't get to try it out for a few days. I'll definitely report in with my thoughts.

I definitely don't think it's a gimmick, though. It should work the same way a "tennis elbow" brace works, by compressing the tendons. I've had to use a tennis elbow brace on my forearm for years now, and I'm hoping the power sleeve will replace it.

However, like others have said, if you don't experience any pain or discomfort in your arm/elbow when bowling, you have no need for this product.

[unclemantis]

Just got mine in the mail, but won't get to try it out for a few days. I'll definitely report in with my thoughts.

I definitely don't think it's a gimmick, though. It should work the same way a "tennis elbow" brace works, by compressing the tendons. I've had to use a tennis elbow brace on my forearm for years now, and I'm hoping the power sleeve will replace it.

However, like others have said, if you don't experience any pain or discomfort in your arm/elbow when bowling, you have no need for this product.

Are you seriously licking your ball in your Avatar?

[GeorgiaStroker]

Are you seriously licking your ball in your Avatar?

You've obviously never seen the movie "The Big Lewbowski"!:D

[swingset]

Just got mine in the mail, but won't get to try it out for a few days. I'll definitely report in with my thoughts.

I definitely don't think it's a gimmick, though. It should work the same way a "tennis elbow" brace works, by compressing the tendons. I've had to use a tennis elbow brace on my forearm for years now, and I'm hoping the power sleeve will replace it.

However, like others have said, if you don't experience any pain or discomfort in your arm/elbow when bowling, you have no need for this product.

I thought the same thing, but there might be some ancillary benefit for a normal healthy arm which is keeping the muscles warm and compressed aids in consistency and prevents soreness (which many times is excessive muscle movement).

It has helped with my arm getting warm faster, I've seen it several times now and although I have to acknowledge there could be a placebo effect, I was skeptical at first so I wasn't expecting positive results.

[DrOcktagon]

Are you seriously licking your ball in your Avatar?

I laughed so hard at this comment.....but seriously, go watch "The Big Lebowski".

[DrOcktagon]

http://2damnfunny.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/The-Jesus-Polishes-His-Bowling-Ball-The-Big-Lebowski.gif

[SmilingBowler]

LOL! The BIG Lebowski!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDfhwPetrqo
(fair warning: adult language & content)

[ecub]

This thread is losing it's focus...

[DrOcktagon]

It's merely a tangent, it will be back on topic soon enough.....

[DrOcktagon]

UPDATE: I just got back from bowling a few games with my new High 5 Gear Power Sleeve, and I was genuinely surprised and impressed at how well it worked.

I was very nervous about using it for the first time, so I bowled my first two games with my old tennis elbow brace on my forearm. I then took that off and switched to the power sleeve. After putting it on, I was literally saying to myself "there's no way this thing is gonna replace my forearm brace", so I threw my first shot very tentatively. I felt no pain or stress in my elbow. I threw the next shot with a little more on it, still no pain. So then I just started throwing it how I normally would, and I felt absolutely nothing in my elbow. I was amazed at how well it seems to work.

Even with my forearm brace there would still be some slight discomfort, but nothing terrible. With the power sleeve, I literally felt no pain or discomfort at all. ZERO. I only got to bowl 2 games with it, so I can't wait to get back out there and use it the entire practice session and see how it holds up over more games, but my initial impression is that this thing is some kind of miracle product.

And I must admit, it looks pretty cool, too.

[DrOcktagon]

It's definitely not just a fashion statement, or a gimmick, or a placebo, or an arm-warmer, or a fancy sweatband. It works as advertised for me.

[SmilingBowler]

Good to hear it, man. I'm still an au natural bowler. I used a thing on my hand/wrist to keep it straight when I first started throwing a fingertip. But that was only for half a season. It got stinky awfully quick, anyway and it wasn't all that easy to clean. I'm curious how this High 5 Gear Power Sleeve works.. does it help align the tendons or ligaments in your elbow or something to stabilize them?

[unclemantis]

This thread is losing it's focus...

I really need to get myself a glove.

[DrOcktagon]

Good to hear it, man. I'm still an au natural bowler. I used a thing on my hand/wrist to keep it straight when I first started throwing a fingertip. But that was only for half a season. It got stinky awfully quick, anyway and it wasn't all that easy to clean. I'm curious how this High 5 Gear Power Sleeve works.. does it help align the tendons or ligaments in your elbow or something to stabilize them?

I have no idea how it works, to be honest. I've never understood how having something strapped around my forearm reduces the pain in my elbow, but it does. All I know is that is keeps your muscle tendons tightly compressed, and somehow that helps prevent them from getting strained.

[swingset]

Good to hear it, man. I'm still an au natural bowler. I used a thing on my hand/wrist to keep it straight when I first started throwing a fingertip. But that was only for half a season. It got stinky awfully quick, anyway and it wasn't all that easy to clean. I'm curious how this High 5 Gear Power Sleeve works.. does it help align the tendons or ligaments in your elbow or something to stabilize them?

Compression sleeves all work the same way on the same principle - to keep your muscles warm and in place. When you do athletic movements, your muscles flop around. This can cause inconsistency in how they expand and contract, and it can cause soreness and pain. The tendons are also kind of flexed and moved in this process. Constricting them evenly keeps everything from being inflamed.

So, if you have pain from bowling there is absolutely some benefit with compression. And, as I indicated last page having your arm warm and "even" is also a benefit over a long bowling session.

I've used compression sleeves for working out and other physical activities like football and basketball for a long time and know their benefits well, I didn't expect so much of a positive influence on bowling because I didn't think I used my arm that much but I think I was underestimating the amount of muscle at play.

Worth a try, for sure.

BTW, there is absolutely ZERO need for a specific "bowling" sleeve. Any compression sleeve will work. I got mine from a sporting good's store, but you can buy them on ebay for $7 shipped. Compression is compression....unless you feel having Balmo's name on your arm helps something.

[SmilingBowler]

Great reply Swingset. Thanks for explaining. I fully understand now why basketball players use them. I may consider using one. I'll shop around at Dick's, Modells, etc. I don't feel uncomfortable at all when throwing 3 or 6 games in a day. But come states, I may be bowling 9 games or more in a day and that's where a compression sleeve can come in handy.

[Zothen]

The nice thing about the sleeve is that it creates a nice,heat that keeps my elbow & bicep warm. To cool it down I just blow on it,move my arm around or use a small fan and get an instant cooling sensation.

5 High Gear gets a 5 out of 5 for this sleeve!

Zothen

[DrOcktagon]

Just got back from the lanes. I used the power sleeve right from the start and my elbow was fine. There was some slight discomfort during my first few shots, but not as bad as when I was using the brace. After that my arm was totally fine. No pain.

On a side note, I had my best day since I've been back. First game was a 167, no excuses but I was still warming up. Then I shot a 215 and a 206. I would've bowled more but they were oiling for league and I had to get off the lane. Can't wait to get back out there.

[bjeffe1234]

I wanted to give it a try, so I got one. Worn right (as a compression sleeve) I've found it comfortable and helpful. Yes, it helps to arm warm up faster and keeps it warm when waiting for other bowlers to bowl. It also gives me the same feeling as the knee compression braces. It keeps the muscles in my arm tight. I started with a less expensive one (about $10 - didn't want to spend a lot until I knew it's benefit) but will opt for a better quality one next time as I will continue to wear it.

[unclemantis]

I might give it a shot.

[billf]

I was going to order one but they high5gear only makes them large enough to fit an arm of up to 14 1/4". Only about 4" too small. If it was an inch or two too small then I would still try it. Too bad because my elbow has been killing me.

[unclemantis]

I was going to order one but they high5gear only makes them large enough to fit an arm of up to 14 1/4". Only about 4" too small. If it was an inch or two too small then I would still try it. Too bad because my elbow has been killing me.

maybe you can go to Michael's and find a way to make one by hand? It is just a sock right?

[ecub]

Socks will stretch and stay stretched. Compression sleeves will retain their shape and remain tight.

[swingset]

I was going to order one but they high5gear only makes them large enough to fit an arm of up to 14 1/4". Only about 4" too small. If it was an inch or two too small then I would still try it. Too bad because my elbow has been killing me.

There's no reason to restrict your search to one place, or aim for one sleeve. There's about 100 companies that make compression sleeves from Nike to Underarmor....some companies make them in large sizes. I have several I've picked up over the years for working out, usually XL sized ones are good for 17"+ arms.

I have 16" arms and the "large" sized McDavid & Evoshield sleeves fit me tight but have room for a larger arm, fwiw.

[billf]

Thank you swingset. I was being lazy and didn't want to search for another company. Half of that is not knowing a company, you don't know the real quality of their products. I currently use one from Mueller but believe a longer sleeve would help a bit more. It may be a dream but bowling or anything else without pain is MY dream lol

[swingset]

Thank you swingset. I was being lazy and didn't want to search for another company. Half of that is not knowing a company, you don't know the real quality of their products. I currently use one from Mueller but believe a longer sleeve would help a bit more. It may be a dream but bowling or anything else without pain is MY dream lol

To be honest, I think most of them are nearly identical in quality. I've got several, and if there's a diff I can't see it...maybe the stitching around the ends might be better or worse depending on maker, but the material itself is all very similar.

The cycling type sleeves are typically thicker, and keep your arm warmer. If you are looking for more compression, try those as they tend to be a little bit less "stretchy".