ClairHarmony
Rookie
Looking for input as to how the Kinetic 5g's would compare to the more traditional, player's frames, with low flex for the arm/elbow. I've come across numerous conflicting reports, where some say the Kinetics are hands down the best for the elbow, whereas others say they're a bit stiff feeling and will say things like the PB10 Mid or RDX 500 MP are notably easier on the arm. Along with these posts, I'll see conflicting reports about how some find the DNX10 Mid more comfortable than the PB10 Mid or vice versa. To me, however, that's just more in line with user preference, or one racket suiting a player's strokes a little bit more. I say this, mainly because I'm used to using low flex, player's frames, some with handle dampening systems, and others not. In the end, they've all about the same for the arm...*unless* you start having real arm issues. For me, there was a time when my wrist was about to fall off, I could barely feed a ball over the net it was so bad. The C10 Pro Tour, a very comy frame, did nothing in this regard to help me, nor the Pyramid Tour. Both are up there with the most arm friendly player's frames ever made.
The solution for me then was the Tenex shock absorber wrist strap. Simply put, this was a miracle cure for me and made more difference than anything else out there. With the player's frames, I feel like you're talking about minor differences/nuances in what's more "arm friendly." And, since the trajectory of your swing will vary from racket to racket; based simply on your unique style of play, I believe this is what accounts for people's often times polarized views of which racket is more arm friendly for them...despite, similar "arm friendly" specs. When it comes to arm related issues in tennis, even slight differences in your swing mechanics can set them off; so this is totally understandable.
At this point, I can safely say that I am completely dependent on my elbow to work; whether out in the field all day, or in front of a computer all day...both are about as elbow-centric and "bad" for the elbow as it gets. And yet, taking time off is also absolutely not an option at this point either; this is by far the most critical junction of my life. Because of this, I am for the first time considering the 5g rackets though they don't fit my normal preferred specs (i.e. mid-size, player's frames...preferably, with as low a power level as I can find).
I'm about one month from "safely" being able to try hitting again, so demoing isn't an option at this point. So, basically, my question do you believe the 5g would be more arm friendly for higher level players, 5.0 plus? I've never seen any 5.0 or higher use a Kinetic, and yet my guess is that the Kinetic technology would actually be more arm friendly in the hands of those who like to take huge cuts at the ball than your traditional "arm friendly," heavy/flexibile player's frame. It would seem to me that the Kinetic technology's effectiveness is commensurate with your swing speed, e.g. for a volley where there is very little swing, the Kinetic system basically does nothing. And, hence, this is why I think I read one person say that the Kinetic's a strange feeling racket to get used to in that it feels harsh/stiff on soft shots, and yet when you swing all out, it feels too soft/cushy to get any feedback.
Anyway, for me, my arm is the most important thing at this point; so I'll deal with the "feel" issue, if it ultimately means the racket is easiest on the elbow.
The classic 5g's I'm interested in are too light stock, so my plan would be to add silicone to the handle. I figure this would be the ultimate arm friendly racket for someone who relies on taking massive, Fernando Gonzales like, cuts at the ball; while getting the rackets near my target weight of around 13 oz.
This said, I still do have my usual preferences. I was wondering if anyone had any opinions as to whether something like a RQiS Tour or RDX500, both very flexy frames, but without shock handle systems, would be equally arm friendly with silicone injected handles? I've never tried this, but I imagine that the silicone would give even better shock absorption than something like the Volkl sensor handle system. Thanks for any input.
The solution for me then was the Tenex shock absorber wrist strap. Simply put, this was a miracle cure for me and made more difference than anything else out there. With the player's frames, I feel like you're talking about minor differences/nuances in what's more "arm friendly." And, since the trajectory of your swing will vary from racket to racket; based simply on your unique style of play, I believe this is what accounts for people's often times polarized views of which racket is more arm friendly for them...despite, similar "arm friendly" specs. When it comes to arm related issues in tennis, even slight differences in your swing mechanics can set them off; so this is totally understandable.
At this point, I can safely say that I am completely dependent on my elbow to work; whether out in the field all day, or in front of a computer all day...both are about as elbow-centric and "bad" for the elbow as it gets. And yet, taking time off is also absolutely not an option at this point either; this is by far the most critical junction of my life. Because of this, I am for the first time considering the 5g rackets though they don't fit my normal preferred specs (i.e. mid-size, player's frames...preferably, with as low a power level as I can find).
I'm about one month from "safely" being able to try hitting again, so demoing isn't an option at this point. So, basically, my question do you believe the 5g would be more arm friendly for higher level players, 5.0 plus? I've never seen any 5.0 or higher use a Kinetic, and yet my guess is that the Kinetic technology would actually be more arm friendly in the hands of those who like to take huge cuts at the ball than your traditional "arm friendly," heavy/flexibile player's frame. It would seem to me that the Kinetic technology's effectiveness is commensurate with your swing speed, e.g. for a volley where there is very little swing, the Kinetic system basically does nothing. And, hence, this is why I think I read one person say that the Kinetic's a strange feeling racket to get used to in that it feels harsh/stiff on soft shots, and yet when you swing all out, it feels too soft/cushy to get any feedback.
Anyway, for me, my arm is the most important thing at this point; so I'll deal with the "feel" issue, if it ultimately means the racket is easiest on the elbow.
The classic 5g's I'm interested in are too light stock, so my plan would be to add silicone to the handle. I figure this would be the ultimate arm friendly racket for someone who relies on taking massive, Fernando Gonzales like, cuts at the ball; while getting the rackets near my target weight of around 13 oz.
This said, I still do have my usual preferences. I was wondering if anyone had any opinions as to whether something like a RQiS Tour or RDX500, both very flexy frames, but without shock handle systems, would be equally arm friendly with silicone injected handles? I've never tried this, but I imagine that the silicone would give even better shock absorption than something like the Volkl sensor handle system. Thanks for any input.
