In the event you were incensed as much as I was watching people pocket millions by selling useless "wrist placebos", you'll be happy to see that the Australian Consumer Complaints Resolution Panel has just rendered a judgement against the sellers of the "PowerBalance wrist bands" for "False and misleading advertising" and is forcing them to issue a retraction of their previous claims.
If only they had also been directed to return the millions they've collected in the process of selling this nonsense...
Full info is here:www.kitesurfing.com.au/documents/CRP2010-06-018PowerWristBandsdoc.pdf
See the last two pages for the retraction and the original claims made.
A small victory for science and reason!
In case you missed the SMH article recently:
www.smh.com.au/national/the-power-of-one--band-claims-to-be-tackled-by-health-regulator-20100623-yz9c.html
Bout****** time.
p.s. Actually screw it. If you're that stupid that you think this thing does anything you deserve to loose 70 clam.
So basically they have to print on the front page of their website "We are crooks" in big bright red letters.
Brilliant!
Would be nice if they had to give out refunds too. 
I don't mean to defend that scam, but if the company which produces it is happy by getting loads of easy money, and the dumba$5es who buy it stay happy as well (and have a refund option if for some reason they don't see results), you basically have a win-win situation.
The only issue I see is when the scam is based on a lie.
If they just said something totally generic like "it gives you positive energy", or "we believe it makes you perform better" that would be vague enough to make it legal for me. But this blather about changing frequencies is false evidence.
I am wondering if Mick Fanning still uses this cr@p "just during training" as he said...
I reckon when you attack Teahupoo less thinking actually helps.
Andy Irons used it... He even had it on at Bells and that was probably the worst I've ever seen him surf, fell off almost every wave. Tons of Pro skaters wear them to... With almost zero production costs I guess you can afford to pay a lot of people to rep them for you.
All in all it's a pretty smart idea really, you got to give the guys some credit for thinking it up.
The powerbalance guys didn't even invent it, similar placebo bands existed in various forms before.
I reckon the reason why it works is that professional athletes are so desperate to improve their performance that they will give everything a crack, especially when they get it for free.
And when they wear it the sheep effect kicks in, and after reaching a critical mass the popularity becomes like a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Btw, is anyone exercising with those amazing kettlebells?!
In the words of Bill Engvall, "Here's your sign". Maybe we should add powerband buyers to that list of his.
lol people actually payed for that **** 0_o just when i was gaining faith in the intelligence of people (not)
Finally, a little bit of justice in the world!!
By the way, rumor has it that the many of the NRL players (and their partners) are wearing them to enhance their performance. Namely Joel Monagham...
"Superdooper Powerbalance mkII" anyone?? (looks and feels just like a piece of fishing line - only a fraction of the weight of that old Powerbalance!!) RRP $999.
PS- I bought 5 immitation 'Powerbalance' bands (with a waterproof watch included) for 5 cents including freight from China! I wear them in the water when kiting and they work!!
....Basically just like the real thing, except they have a purpose and work, and 1/1000th of the price!
It gets even better -- their US web page has a "REPORT A FAKE" link.
www.powerbalance.com/eurview/report-a-fake/
How about ALL OF THE PRODUCTS ON YOUR WEBPAGE!
Geez, these people have a lot of nerve.
okay steve you carn't just come on here and say that about outer shops and get away with it so this is whats gunna happen You+ME at MAMBO DANCE OFF
this **** is going down
The older crew would remember a similar invention:
Peter Brock Energy Polarizer
During the 1986 Australian touring car championship and following the failed Le mans attack, Brock began to consult health practitioner Eric Dowker. Brock gave up alcohol and cigarettes, and became a vegan. Brock began publicly supporting and, eventually, began to fit to all Holden Dealer Team specials a device called the "Energy Polarizer" containing crystals and magnets that, it was claimed, improved the performance and handling of vehicles through "aligning the molecules". 
Ahh the 80's 
Bugger - into the bottom draw with the ouja board, the healing crystals, tarot cards and the karate suit that wouldn't work.
