The Speed Bag
Review:
The Speed Bag - www.TheBurnMachine.com
This review is based upon the 12 LB "The Speed Bag" model (the heaviest model currently available). 8 LB and 4 LB models are also available. The terms Heavy and 12 LB don't seem to go together, but with this piece of training equipment, they definitely do. There is very little resistance in the 360 degree rotating grips themselves but when you train with "The Speed Bag" at eye level, your shoulders and arms will be burning in less than 30 seconds, all the while getting a decent cardio workout (any cardio I can get that doesn't involve a boring run on a treadmill, I am all for). Although "The Speed Bag" is not a traditional wrist roller, it's 360 degree rotating grips give you a side-to-side and "any angle" wrist training ability that a traditional wrist roller cannot. If you do any research on "The Speed Bag" outside of this website, you will most probably see it linked to MMA training/conditioning, however this device would prove to be beneficial in training for any sport that requires strong wrists, arms and shoulders (basically all sports). The 12 pounder should probably only be considered as a starting point for this device if you are a serious and stronger athlete. An 8 pounder would probably be a good choice for most recreational athletes. The Speed Bag is a very high quality, solidly built wrist, arm, shoulder and cardio training device that you will not regret buying in my opinion, and it's easy portability allows its use anywhere, even while sitting down.
The Speed Bag Advantages:
- Very high quality, built to last, heavy metal
- 360 degree rotating grips allow many different training angles and movements
- Portable and Convenient - put it in your bag and go, or keep in your desk drawer...can always have it at hand
- No adjustments needed, just pick it up and use it
- Arm/Shoulder training and Cardio at the same time
- Solid build - won't break or wear out after extended or heavy use
- Smooth Action
The Speed Bag Disadvantages:
Other The Speed Bag Review Links:
SideWinder® Pro Xtreme
Review:
SideWinder® Pro Xtreme - www.SportGrips.com
I thought that I had probably already found the ultimate wrist roller when I purchased a Sierra Mega Wrist Roller a year or so ago, but then I found and splurged a little on the purchase of a SideWinder® Pro Xtreme. In my opinion, this is the best wrist roller/forearm/hand grip strength/arm training device you can buy. Ingenious design, very high quality, built like a tank (made from machined aluminum and steel) and made to last with a lifetime guarantee. Has some heft to it at 4.3 lbs, but very portable with no rope or plates required. Can easily adjust resistance from very easy to impossible. Can use in a large variety of ways that a rope based roller cannot duplicate. Serious piece of training equipment and very worth the price.
SideWinder® Pro Xtreme Advantages:
- Best of the best - very high quality, built like a tank (made from machined aluminum and steel) and made to last with a lifetime warranty
- Portable and Convenient - put it in your bag and go, or keep in your desk drawer...can always have it at hand
- Quickly adjustable - no plates to change
- Virtually infinite resistance - from zero to impossible
- Keep going to failure - don't have to stop due to shoulder fatigue or you're at the end of your rope :D
- Thick Handles - great for grip strength and forearm training
- Use at any angle - horizontal, vertical, behind the back, above the head, alternating grip, screwdriver (single arm training) or any other variation you can think of...can't do most of these with a rope
- Not plasticy (as most commercial wrist rollers are) - won't break or wear out after extended or heavy use
- Smooth Action
- Lifetime Guarantee
SideWinder® Pro Xtreme Disadvantages:
- Somewhat expensive at $120 - $140 in comparison with the $0 - $30 wrist rollers on the market or homemade...but worth every penny in my opinion for this serious piece of training equipment, plus two lesser models are available (built just as well as this one, I'm sure)
Other SideWinder® Pro Xtreme Review Links:
Sierra Mega Wrist Roller
Review:
Sierra Mega Wrist Roller - www.SierraExercise.com/Forearms.html
Another ingenious design, high quality, made to last with a lifetime guarantee. Very portable with no rope or plates required. Can easily adjust resistance from very easy to impossible. Can be used in a myriad of ways that a rope based wrist roller cannot duplicate. Serious piece of training equipment and worth the asking price.
Sierra Mega Wrist Roller Advantages:
- Close second to the SideWinder® Pro Xtreme - high quality and made to last with a lifetime warranty
- Portable and Convenient - put it in your bag and go, or keep in your desk drawer...can always have it at hand
- Quickly adjustable - no plates to change...even more quick than the SideWinder® Pro Xtreme with the added advantage of not having to "unload" the resistance
- Virtually infinite resistance - from zero to impossible
- Keep going to failure - don't have to stop due to shoulder fatigue or you're at the end of your rope
- Use at any angle - horizontal, vertical, behind the back, above the head, alternating grip, screwdriver (single arm training) or any other variation you can think of...can't do most of these with a rope
- Not plasticy (as most commercial wrist rollers are) - won't break or wear out after extended or heavy use
- Smooth Action
- Lifetime Guarantee
Sierra Mega Wrist Roller Disadvantages:
- Less so than the SideWinder® Pro Xtreme, but still more expensive at $60 - $70 in comparison with the $0 - $30 wrist rollers on the market or homemade...but worth it in my opinion
- Not as thick of handles - I added Fat Gripz to my Sierra Mega Wrist Roller which is a very effective thick handle modification.
- Handles can slip out of the center clamp
Final Thoughts
WristRollers.com was initially going to contain
reviews of several wrist roller type forearm training devices, as I have tried several and made several over
the years. However, I have decided to restrict the reviews to only include the best of the best.
The few pieces of training equipment reviewed here are, in my opinion,
head and shoulders above the others that I have tried as far as function and effectiveness.
I wish that I would have had any/all of these training devices back in my younger sports playing days. If you are a
serious athlete at any level; especially baseball, softball, tennis or golf, do yourself a big favor and get one of
these. At first glance, they may seem a little expensive for "just" a wrist roller, but I can honestly say these
wrist roller / forearm / grip strength / arm / shoulder training devices are some of the best resistance training equipment
purchases I ever made...and I have a many years accumulation and a weight room full of training equipment.
If you happen to know of or find any wrist roller type, grip strength or forearm training devices that can measure
up to the ones reviewed, please let me know and I may add a review to
WristRollers.com.
