Jul 23, 2008 04:14 PM EDT by Joanna Stern
Do you suffer BlackBerry thumbs or textingitis? Is your wrist aching from constant mouse and keyboard use? The Xtensor has the geek relief you need. Excuse the infomercial-sounding introduction, but it was just too good to resist. The Xtensor, or the Fingermaster, as we are calling it internally, arrived in our offices yesterday. The “exercise device” is supposed to help people recover from BlackBerry thumb or other wrist or hand injuries, and it both strengthens and rehabilitates. This Terminator-esque contraption straps around the wrist, while individual rubber strings slide onto fingertips to provide resistance. We could describe the glove for hours, but we suggest you check out our “exercise ” video below to see it in action. The Xtensor—like your type-happy fingers—comes at a cost. $39.95, to be exact. Has our workout video convinced you to buy one?
July 24th, 2008 at 10:29 am
I think this would actually work!
July 24th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
This is a great idea! I can’t wait to try one of my own.
July 24th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
huh it looks like it would strenthen your grip and wrist. Yes i will take two.
July 28th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
If it works GREAT! However mixed thoughts on if it will work or not. As a side note, horrible name “Xtensor”.
July 29th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
I’m into it.
September 10th, 2008 at 10:13 am
I’ve gotten one. But the finger band keeps snapping. I’m left with two bands now.
Wonder why this is happening. Anyone has the same problem?
July 28th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Unless things have changed since I had hand problems several years ago, there are not any muscles in your hand. Muscles in your forearm, via tendons, flex everything in your hand. This device looks interesting as it mimics some of the exercises I was doing to help my hands when I was having problems.
December 7th, 2010 at 11:12 am
While the Xtensor is great in concept, its execution leaves much to be desired: the bands snap frequently and they have a very hard time remaining in place when they aren’t breaking. It’s also disturbing that the manufacturers website is completely lacking any contact section. You can reach them, but you’ll have to dig through every page of their site in order to do so, which I did. Oh, and their method for extending the life of the bands?; pre-stretching. So let me get this straight; in order to keep the bands from breaking when you stretch them all that you need to do is PRE stretch them – got it! Lastly, while the product’s design is well suited for those suffering from tendonitis is spot-on, their claims of increasing grip strength for golfers and/or tennis players is laughable. How could it be that extending my fingers out will increase their strength for squeezing my fingers in while gripping a club or racket? Bottom line? If you buy one of these make sure to also purchase PLENTY of extra bands as they will be snapping daily, and don’t expect your grip strength to improve any time soon but your sore elbow may feel better in a few weeks.
March 20th, 2011 at 3:13 am
Great concept but a poorly designed product… Bands will not stay in slot designed to hold them, and are always breaking. It is junk, do not waste your money on it!