So now that I'm going to take lessons...is it worthwhile to invest in a Training Racket??? Local racket shop Tad's doesn't carry any (I asked last week). At mybadmintonstore they have the following... Hi-Qua Trainer 135 for US$70 and Hi-Qua Trainer 135 (one pair) for US$100 http://www.mybadmintonstore.com/shop/index.php?cPath=25_26_103 Kason Pro-Training P130 for US$80 and Kason Pro-Training P150 for US$80 and Kason Pro-Training SAME or MIXED MODEL (one pair) for US$120 http://www.mybadmintonstore.com/shop/index.php?cPath=25_26_165 Any thoughts or suggestions?
I bought an Apacs W-140 (140g) off ebay from Malaysia, only $35 and expedited shipping was $15. 160g version was also available for the same price. The racket is pretty good though a little flexible but as I play mainly with VT80 and NS9900, that's natural. My wrist has had good time working out since.
i am looking for one myself as well. the Apacs looks rather attractive being only US$50 delivered to the US. i wonder what they put in these rackets to make them so heavy! these days an average squash racket only weighs around 135g...
@khoai - thanks for the advice. Did a quick google search and came up with Badminton Bay (I think they are reputable sellers) as an online seller. They carry Apacs W-120 / 140 / 160 / 180 for $40+shipping. Hmm...now what weight should I go for??
Hmmmm....it seems Badminton Bay is out-of-stock for all Apacs training rackets. Thet have a BIC racket that weighs 120g but costs $60. Need to do more research.
Currently i owned Apacs W160 training racket, i found out that under the grip at the handle looks like thin metal tape wrap around..i'm not sure the exact material but its look like Tin to me..
hm... i had hoped that the extra weight comes from extra material in the frame and shaft and not just metal weight stuck inside the grip. this is making the APACS much less attractive.
hehe yup the design totally not actractive enough as per victor or yang yang training racket.. the frame color is flat black and with a yellow font statted training w160. i belive the overal weigh of frame exceed 100g the tape only act as additional weight to make it in the range as stated on the frame. as apacs has 4 models in thier training racket w120,w140,w160 & w180.
My 140g has a BP around 320mm even with grip and original plastic grip cover on. You can see right away the shaft is pretty bulky, and the frame too. On the frame, it says 'high modulus graphite'. It definitely takes a lot of effort to swing around as certain semi-pros a couple of levels above me could not kill me with the racket otherwise would be an easy job.
The Yang Yang racket is $100. Way to pricey for a training racket. I'll ask my friend if he wants a training racket too. Maybe get the Kason combo. If not, then I just need to find a reputable seller for the Apacs. Apacscanada doesn't have training rackets listed on their website.
e78 has the "province training racket" that is only HK$220. last time he told me shipping to US for a racket is HK$170. so total around HK$390 which is around US$50. the weight is only 120-128g though
yeah. agree that it is on the lighter side. maybe 130-135grams is better. i am not really looking into 150+g though. also, the balance matters as well.
Is it better to have a "stiff" training racket or a "flexible" training racket? Weights available are 130g and 150g.
Getting Kimoni Training racket 135g and 150g. I'll use the 135g for drills and casual game play. I'll use the 150g for shadow practice. I'll give an update once I try them out.
Locally through a friend. Same person that sold me Kimoni NP3000. Price was discounted. Comparable to Kason prices. No tax. No shipping costs. Costs slightly more than Apacs and "province training racket" that you posted.
buy a cheap two-piece racket or a cheap musclepower from yonex. then tape it up with lead tape or electrical tape and grip to weigh it down and to tweak the balance to your preference. cheap and easy!
So I got the training rackets. Wet weight for the Kimoni-135 is 147g. And the wet weight of the Kimoni-150 is 160g. Both strung with BG65 @ 24lbs and overgrip (Yonex Supergrap). Left the plastic wrap on the handle as well.
Yay...finally got a chance to use my training rackets. Used the Kimoni 135 on the weekend. Wow...heavy as heck. Did some practice swings (clears, smashes, drops). Played 1 casual (sorta competitive) doubles game...me+girl vs 2 guys. We won...although the score was close. I didn't try to power through my smashes as I was well aware that doing so might take my arm off. So it was just power by technique. And I was cognizant to keep my racket up at all times (which I managed to do). Switched to my VT80 after the game cuz I didn't want risk injury by playing more games with my training racket. Heh...the VT80 felt light as a feather. Gonna use the Kimoni 150 for shadow drills at home during the week.