Place to buy cheap Powerbands / Balance Bracelets??? good quality?
I could only really find
NRG Power Band - Black/Orange = $35 with $20 voucher.
http://www.rebelsport.com.au/ecom/rebel/search.aspx?st=power…
Powerbands / Balance Bracelets????
JPOWER on 26/10/2010 - 18:47
Comments
I have been tossing up getting one over the last few weeks although family members are chiropractor and acupuncture etc and all laugh at me when i tell them i want one.
i have a friend at work who has a fake one and beleives it works, so could be worth it for placebo effect lol
the shonky awards…
http://www.choice.com.au/Reviews-and-Tests/Money/Shopping-an…
Power Balance
With some reluctance, we highlight the inherent shonkiness of the Power Balance bracelet – reluctance, because when Australian Skeptics demonstrated on Today Tonight that it patently didn’t do anything, subsequent sales skyrocketed: apparently any publicity is good publicity after all.
The Power Balance band is basically a rubber band bracelet with a plastic hologram in it. Sorry – a “surgical grade silicone wristband” embedded with a hologram “based on the idea of optimizing the body’s natural energy flow, similar to concepts behind many Eastern philosophies. The hologram is designed to respond to the natural energy field of the body. The Mylar material at the core has been treated with energy waves at specific frequencies…” etc, etc. All this, and backed by a money-back guarantee.
But seriously: “surgical”, “specific frequencies”, “Mylar”, “Eastern philosophies”… What’s not to believe?
We CHOICE sceptics did our own testing under controlled laboratory conditions – after all, you can’t believe everything you see on TV – and verified the Skeptics’ findings. The money-back guarantee, however, did work. The only power this bracelet seems to have, placebo effect notwithstanding, is in tipping its distributor’s bank balance well and truly into the black – they’re reportedly raking it in. So, if a fool and his money are soon parted, there are apparently plenty of fools out there – and they’re all conveniently identified with a rubber band bracelet. If you see one, offer to sell them a bridge.
I only saw these for the first time in retail last weekend… I've seen and heard about them before, including at work where one of our employees said she couldn't remove the wristband (which is contrary to our food safety no-jewellery policy) cause she "might fall over"!
I couldn't believe it was "hologram technology" that "powers" these things!
I mean, magnets I can see have some potential to do something, but holograms? A bit of Laser etched plastic that reflect light in funky ways? How the hell does anyone think these things might work? It's not even a good hologram!I love the wording on the packaging that says something along the lines of "This product MAY assist personal balance, wellbeing, improve you memory etc etc etc".
i bought a fake one for $8 on ebay, it still works, whether it's a COMPLETE placebo or not doesn't bother me. Because a placebo effect is still better than no effect at all! And for $8 can't really complain! I've tried it on the most skeptical of people and they've fallen for it lol
Get the "Placebo Band" for $2+p&h from SkepticBros.com.
placebo effect
buy from ebay, because its the same effect as the 'genuine' onesdon't buy at all…..send me the money….it will have the same effect as the 'genuine' ones…..
lol no it would have the reverse effect for me :p
Words fail me! :o
scientists have proven more expensive placebos are more effective that cheaper ones. So i can kinda see why it works.
but yes, its a complete load of bs.
EDIT: placebos work for 10-15% of the competition. Considering you actually considered it, you probablyu fall into that bracket.
I think it's similar to Nurofen selling pain killers targeted at different types of pain or speed of recovery. It might work for some people, in which case I don't see the problem. And even if you don't experience the advertised relief, at least the tablets will still perform as normal.
I think under advertising guidelines though, it would fall under false advertising…and it's for this reason that I wonder how this power band fad started. In effect, you're selling the placebo effect, which wouldn't work if you had to advertise truthfully.
I do have to agree you cannot sell placebos
I'll soon be releasing my Fusion Band for sale. rrp = $350. How does it work ? Well, it is made of a silicon based material impregnated with small particles of granite and it also has a glass lens positioned next to a sealed vial of water.
It is "based on the idea" that the sun's rays will be "collected" by the lens and focussed through the water, creating a very small fusion reaction. As we all know, nuclear fusion releases huge amounts of energy and at this stage it is only known to occur deep within the sun. However for the first time, my fusion band will actually create mini fusion reactions and these will be barely noticeable on your skin. However the energy released from these reactions will be absorbed by the wearer and will provide a tangible boost in well being and activity. E.g. stronger, fitter, happier.
If anyone is interested in making a purchase, let me know.
I got one. I cannot say I can feel any difference. I have friends who said that it works for them and those who say it does.
Whether it is placebo or not, it does have some positive effect on some people.
I dont know how they scientifically test this, but if they test it to fail, it usually will. If they test it to pass, it usually will too.
If I flick a switch in a room and nothing happens, it means that I cannot see what the switch does in the room. for all i know some poor guy could get a jolt of electricity everytime it goes on and off.
I have been wearing this for 4 weeks, I am going to take it off next week. Then I am going to see if it makes a difference for me. It is not very scientific, but makes more sense.
How has your life changed when wearing the bracelet?
One thing i have always wondered , it may make you feel better , but does it make you do better?
If you are running a race, maybe you feel more balanced than before, but if the time is the same or worse, when wearing the bracelet whats the point?
My point being i feel better in nice clothes, or wearing a new watch, is this the same effect
The product is suppose to improve core strength and balance.
I dance and my friends play sports. Some claims that they have better balance while playing sports with them on.
I have pretty good balance and core strength. I can pistol squat with and without it.
I am going to take them off next week and see if my balance or core strength feels any different.I wish it can double as a watch.
I had to look up pistol squat :) i tried it , not for the unpractised whilst at work lol
This post kind of reminds me of some smartphone reviews I've been reading lately. They compare the samsung galaxy s, iphone, and htc desire hd. The reviewers all say that they don't like the samsung because it doesn't "feel like it is quality" - what they really mean is that it is lighter !!
no i think what they mean is samsung uses plastic still for the body…both iphone and dhd already using metal…
then of coz metal phones have problems with the receptions…(death grip)
The problem with your test is that your mental attitude may affect the result.
The scientific way of testing this is a double blind test.
A band is purchased and a fake copy that is indistinguishable made. One person who has no contact with you keeps track of which is which. A handler gives you the bands to wear in succession. This is so that you don't know which is real and which fake and the handler also can't unwittingly communicate this to you through emotions, tone of voice or whatever.
Afterwards the real identities of the bands are revealed and the results compared.
And this should be done across an adequate sample size.
You can see this would take quite a lot of trouble to set up. I'd just as soon spend the money on a good dinner.
http://www.theage.com.au/small-business/researchers-test-pow…
I wonder if…..based on the results….the manufacturers might be open to an awful lot of claims for refunds………
Nah, they would know that anyone stupid enough to fall for this nonsense in the first place wouldn't have the commonsense to believe a reputable study, let alone admit they've been duped (again) by asking for a refund.
No, these things will just slip quietly off the wrists of the gullible & drop quietly into the same drawer as their dowsing rods, snake oil and EMP Power Modulators! ;)
agree. plus they use catch words like "might" or "may" or "helps"
perhaps the retailers then………
http://www.rebelsport.com.au/ecom/rebel/product_detail.aspx?…
The bands are simply a wearable wristband that gives you increased balance, strength and flexibility.
Benefits include: Increased balance, Strength & flexibility.
NRG holograms are embedded with frequencies that react positively with your body's natural energy field to improve balance, strength & flexibility.
When I see someone wearing one of these, I kinda feel like Austin Powers in Goldmember when he meets The Mole. I end up holding my tongue, but the scam bracelet is the only thing I can think about whilst I'm talking to them.
I don't know… "Braceletty braceletty" just doesn't have the same ring as "moley moley moley".
Take a look at the WP discussion on this topic:
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1402930
Also here's the youtube video debunking some of the "tests" that prove these bracelets work
I'm not a fan of these power bands, but I think that irritatingly smug youtube video completely missed the point.
They're coming at it from the perspective of people demonstrating power balance style products are trying to trick you by manipulating their demonstrations (which they probably are) in order to sell some snake oil.But the real factor with these bands is that the average joe on the street goes away and does it with their friends and gets some interesting results, no manipulation involved. Its the weird results that are reproducable by anyone that makes this product attractive to people. Also, their explanation of the arm stretching test being simply because the body is warmed up for the second stretch is just plain wrong. You can do the power balance test first and the 'naked' test second and still be able to stretch further on the first. Its honestly quite weird, and I'd have to put in a vote for the placebo effect…
What a waste of money. If you want to improve your balance maybe improve your core muscles? Do a bit of exercise?
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/power-balance-gets-a-wrist…
THE distributors of the popular Power Balance wristbands have been ordered to drop ''misleading'' claims that they improve flexibility, balance and strength.
The Therapeutic Goods Complaints Resolution Panel found there was no evidence that the wristbands used by sports stars including AFL players Brendan Fevola and Jack Riewoldt helped to improve performance.
The panel said the claims were false and misleading and breached the therapeutic goods advertising code. It demanded they be withdrawn and a retraction published on the Power Balance website by tomorrow week.The panel said Power Balance ''provided no evidence to support any of the claims … and no indication that such evidence exists''.
In response, Power Balance acknowledged it had breached the code. ''Since the time of the complaint, the relevant claims had been removed from the website,'' the company said.lol to those suckers who bought them!!!
heh heh.
About time. I'm surprised it took that long.
I'm amazed that rebelsports are selling these things. I'd never heard about them until 30mins ago. How do people fall for this kind of garbage?!
I've got a brand new one that I can sell to you for $12 + $8 shipping
it looks like one of those red rubber bands that Australia Post use, but trust me that it works.
i can sell one for $2, instant postage as well, just clap your hands 3 times and you will have better balance ;)
http://www.tgacrp.com.au/index.cfm?pageID=13&special=complai…
the full ruling……power balance are supposed to publish a retraction as follows…..
An advertisement for Power Balance Wrist Bands, which we published on this website,
should not have been published.
In the advertisement we unlawfully made claims that the Wrist Band products had
therapeutic effects or effects on the human body, including claims about the body’s
“electrical balance”, and improving “synaptic response”, brain function, muscle
response, stamina, oxygen uptake, recovery, flexibility, and “gravitational balance”.
A complaint about the advertisement was recently upheld by the Complaints Resolution
Panel. We provided no evidence to support any of the claims we made, and no indication
that such evidence exists. The Panel found that the claims were unlawful, misleading,
and unverified and breached the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code.
The Panel therefore requested that we publish this retraction.
The full text of the Panel’s determination can be found at:
www.tgacrp.com.au/complaints
You can give me the $35 instead and I'll wave my fingers over your wrist for a few seconds. It'll have exactly the same effect!