Performance enhancing bracelets

[Deleted User]

Hey all, 

I just wanted to get a discussion started about all these bracelets/necklaces you see on the market that are supposed to help your strength/flexibility/balance/endurance/etc. 

In case if you're not familiar, the most popular line of items is made by PowerBalance. These are rubber bracelets with a shiny hologram sticker that claim to benefit you by fixing your body's frequencies or something. The company sponsors triathletes like Andreas Raelert and Mirinda Carfrae, but that didn't stop them from being called out on their BS. 

I have not seen a single scientific, peer-reviewed study that demonstrates the validity of these claims beyond a placebo effect. I have a solid background in theoretical and experimental physics, and my scientific training compels me to say that none of these claims hold any water.

Phiten is another brand that purports to use "aqua-titanium" as a performance-enhancer in their products. Many of their sponsored athletes happen to be baseball players, which is interesting seeing that a lot of baseball players are also pretty superstitious and use a lot of lucky charms. That's not a slight against them though, I guess that's just the culture of the sport. Oh, and there's also been a lawsuit against the company.

Now I understand that a lot of people have been using these products and are happy and content with them, but I think this stuff can be really harmful. My mother has been using Phiten products to "fix" her body pains and health problems for years (she's pretty sedentary), but at the expense spending LOTS of money and not doing more practical things like seeing a PT or getting exercise. Unfortunately, her health still sucks and is probably just going to get worse, but fortunately I've managed to convince her that these titanium products are crap. 

It's scary to think about all the repercussions that these products can have. How many other people have screwed up their health by thinking that a necklace could cure all their problems? How many athletes have injured themselves thinking that a bracelet could magically heal them? 

Any thoughts? I'm curious to hear about everyone else's experiences with this stuff. 

Paul Hough

They are pure hokum. One of the manufacturers was sued in Australia and forced to state that there was zero evidence to support the claims. They are novelties only. You could sell cowchips on a string (training necklaces) to triathletes for their theraputic lung enhancing properties.

Joe Matchette

@Paul - I think you are on to something there. Let's see....how can we incorporate "Carbon" and "Aero" into that???? If we could manufacture a carbon, aero, cowchip, lung-enhancing training necklace, we can make a FORTUNE!

tuckerm

Placebo!!!!
Paul that was Power Balance that had to admit they were full of shit. Love that.

Dino Sarti

Did you know the the Sacramento Kings play the "Power Balance Center"? How many bands do you need to sell to pay the name rights?

Coach Patrick

They sell a lot of bands...but I ain't wearing one...