Gyro balls - effective for pianists?

[shortfingers]

I occasionally experience soreness in my forearm due to piano practice and typing... I have heard great things about gyro balls to strengthen the supporting muscles in the wrist and forearm to ease soreness and build endurance. I am curious if this will help me or not. Has any one, as a pianist, tried one of these? What was your experience with it?
Here is a link to one on Amazon, in case someone is curious what it is: https://www.amazon.com/WeiHeng%C2%AE-Force-Power-Wrist-Speed/dp/B00A148Q2E/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

[ted]

I used one as part of my general training routine for a few months. It did not seem to make any difference to my strength and certainly not to my piano playing, so I stopped it. However, I bought one for a friend who had had a stroke, and he gained much benefit from it. They do have their uses, but whether helping pianists is one I really don't know. I found that getting very fast with it was more in the nature of a trick than a consequence of strength.

[shortfingers]

Thanks for your experience, Ted! I might go ahead and buy one just to see how it works for me ... seems like a 50/50 chance.

[rmbarbosa]

as you know, piano playing isnt dependent of muscule strenght but of the weight of shoulders and arms. Even more: muscle strenght may decrease the speed. So... why and for whar increase it?
Best wishes
rui

[outin]

as you know, piano playing isnt dependent of muscule strenght but of the weight of shoulders and arms. Even more: muscle strenght may decrease the speed. So... why and for whar increase it?
Best wishes
rui

This particular device I am not familiar with, but generally hand exercise devices are not meant only to increase strength, but also help untighten stiff muscles and increase flexibility. When used correctly they can help with all sorts of unhealthy ways to use the hand and wrist. I used one to get rid of carpal tunnel symptoms.

Strength and flexibility are related because the reason behind stiff or cramped muscles is often muscle weakness.

[ale_ius]

This particular device I am not familiar with, but generally hand exercise devices are not meant only to increase strength, but also help untighten stiff muscles and increase flexibility. When used correctly they can help with all sorts of unhealthy ways to use the hand and wrist. I used one to get rid of carpal tunnel symptoms.

Strength and flexibility are related because the reason behind stiff or cramped muscles is often muscle weakness.

+1

Basically everything works better when you increase strength and flexibility.  All things equal the stronger and more mobile hand provides a more favorable foundation on which to train the skill set. But don't consider it some magic secret. It's just a tool. And you are building complex things. More tools is better. As they say everything is a nail if all you have is hammer.  Good to have screwdriver and wrench and pliers and a saw and clamp....

[steinway43]

as you know, piano playing isnt dependent of muscule strenght but of the weight of shoulders and arms. Even more: muscle strenght may decrease the speed. So... why and for whar increase it?
Best wishes
rui

My experience contradicts this. For me, more strength brings more speed and control, and with ease. My forearms have always been strong from years of playing, and of course when I rest my hand on any table and move my fingers as if playing the piano, I can see the muscles in my upper forearm flexing.

Though I've heard pianists aren't supposed to lift weights I've found it to be a wonderful strength boost that only helps. And I've been doing it for years now with very consistent results. It makes playing much easier.

I won't say this will be the same for everyone because it might not be. Not everything works the same for every person. Some practice techniques I was taught turned out to be detrimental for example and I had to discard them.

[Bob]

How do those work?  I've never seen them before.  They spin on the inside and you have to hold onto them?

[Bob]

Yeah... Looks kind of gimmicky.

Kind of reminds me a shake weight.

If it makes a noise, what will the neighbors think?  They'll hear the buzzing noise.  Then later they'll see that person has really strong forearms.


I think the gyro ball might be some kind of hand massager.

[Bob]

Ugh...  I wasn't thinking when I searched for hand massager. 


I'm thinking the gyro ball wouldn't be that good, esp. you're doing heavy practicing and the hands are already getting some stress.  I was doing a lot of fingerwork practicing and then rode a bike.  Gripping the bike handlebars did not help piano at all.




Can't tell if this is crap or might be useful.

[shortfingers]

Can't tell if this is crap or might be useful.

Thanks for the link! Looks interesting ... I am suspicious since there were some not-so-great reviews on Amazon though. Mostly I just want to strengthen the surrounding muscles in my forearm and wrist that I use when practicing and typing - I've heard that if these surrounding muscles are strengthened, then it will help ease the soreness.