Why I Use a Racket Vibration Dampener...Should You?

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

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[@harryredd9907]

Thanks for the info. Very informative.I use a dampener. It gives me a better feel because I string my racquet to the max.

[@evkyv4614]

I personally don't use one as I prefer to feel the ball on my strings. The dampener just makes the racquet more muted & reduces the ping sound, other than that it does not prevent wrist or elbow injuries. This have been proven by several scientific studies.

[@shemetilo]

Would be really interesting to read this research and see you opinion on what causes the tennis elbow. I had it several times and I m sure the reason is bad racquet and vibrations.

[@evkyv4614]

@@shemetilo Li FX, Fewtrell D, Jenkins M. String vibration dampers do not reduce racket frame vibration transfer to the forearm. J Sports Sci. 2004 Nov-Dec;22(11-12):1041-52. doi: 10.1080/02640410410001729982. PMID: 15801498. This is one of the studies available...it's interesting that you asked as the number one factor which contributes to tennis elbow (if we assume an individual has perfect technique) is racquet stiffness...an RA rating above 70 significantly contributes to one developing tennis elbow...also excessive swingweight can also strain the ligaments & joints causing tennis elbow...hope this helps

[@guardiancarthur]

@@shemetilo The reason for tennis elbow is pretty well known: poor technique. Professionals don't get it despite hitting thousands of balls. Amateurs do get it despite hitting far fewer balls. (When pros get elbow problems, it's overuse injuries causing soft tissue injury.) That points to the problem: mistiming the ball (almost always on the backhand) overstresses the ligaments and tendons on the outside of the elbow. Ask yourself what shots cause pain, and that tells you the ones on which you need to improve your technique. It's not necessarily "vibrations", more just the shock of the force that the elbow has to resist, and it's not necessarily a "bad" racket, though a heavy racket can make things worse. Do try a lighter racket, strung looser, and get some video of how you hit your backhand, backhand return of serve, and backhand volley. It'll probably tell the story. I'm also guessing that you hit a one-handed backhand, as two-handed players hardly ever get this problem - which tells its own story too.

[@shemetilo]

@@guardiancarthur agree. And what part of technique is bad? My understanding is - not hitting the ball with the center of raquet. Meaning more vibrations.

[@guardiancarthur]

@@shemetilo You can get tennis elbow without hitting a ball: get a screwdriver and try to undo some really stuck screws for an hour. The overstress of the tendons and ligaments on the outside of the elbow is exactly the same. You can hit the ball in the middle but have the wrong technique which stresses the soft tissue (eg leading with the elbow to make the stroke) and you'll get the symptoms. That's why I suggest getting some video. A coach's opinion can help too.

[@atrem7942]

As a string technician and a tennis coach , I believe a damper only reduce the sound. A damper won't reduce chance of injury.

[@VintageSecure]

Dampens the stringbed not the racket. That's a common misconception.

[@joelchuaang]

thats what i think.. i just lessen the sound, i dont think that small thing can absorb all the vibration

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Do you use a vibration dampener?

[@VPB1970]

I've always used one. I'm not questioning the science behind the studies and I do believe its not a magical solution to avoid arm injuries . What I do know and feel is that it reduces vibration, or at least the feeling of vibration hitting your arm. I suppose its mere common sense that if you have any piece that stops the vibration sound (that ping) we have to conclude its stops the vibration in all, or else we would still hear it. Just like a guitar, if you place a finger on top of a string you stop the vibration, and that the way you control the sound of the musical instrument. I do believe it helps (in some way) and contributes to reduce the vibration we feel in the arm. I've been using them since I started playing in 1984 (we use to make them out of rubber or dense foam).

[@peterwilliam8135]

Excellent explanation on dampeners ! I play everyday for almost 3-4 years now. My experience - it is very important to have the dampener. ! I use poly strings. strung at 55lbs. ( string my own rac.. have a machine at home). I got really painful golfer's elbow a few months ago - definitely due to the shocks from FH - Noticed that using a dampener definitely helped whilst playing. The injury was because of incorrect technique - hitting with arm not extended enough and too close to the body. And also whilst serving. No problems on the 1H backhand. It is much better now after some exercises -the dampener definitely helped in reducing the constant pinging on every shot.

[@Editor_Hound]

I think a dampener doesn't radically change things in terms of vibration to the arm, but definitely the feel for your shots and that "ping" you hear without it. That's the main reason I don't use one. I feel more connected to my shots than with one. However, when it comes to injuries like tennis elbow, I think string type and tension should be the ones considering changing.

[@ACEYOU]

I've been using a dampener for over 30 years. Everything feels better (and sounds better). P.S. I didn't expect an infomercial about art investing being given in the middle of the video. Hope that's not a trend

[@jzofficial]

If they are going to start these infomercials in their videos I am going to unsubscribe straight away. Surely he is the first one that doesn't believe in trading and what the other ad is about. Glad that the older videos he & Simon did are more informative without infomercials.

[@gregmaier5151]

Shut up you whiner 😂you are getting free instruction

[@jag3384]

Vibration dampeners don't reduce the potential for injury. They just silence the ringing or pinging sound when you hit the ball. Shock that travels up your arm is what causes injury and a vibration dampener doesn't reduce shock.

[@josephbabbo6988]

I use a Prince racquet, strung with polyester strings on the mains and crosses. Never really had much use for a dampener. I don't really mind the pinging sound on impact.

[@teukualifrafi7196]

From an aesthetic POV, I think a dampener can boost up the looks of your racquet. There are a lot of unique shapes of dampener that can make your racquet look cool and aesthetically pleasing. But as far as my experience playing tennis (approx 3 years), Dampener doesn't reduce the possibility of injuries significantly. Personally, I tend to use dampener on practice sessions, but when it comes to playing time, I prefer to drop the dampener to get more feel of the ball (especially when you use Babolat's racquet). The main thing about vibrations comes from the tension of the strings and the technique you use when playing tennis. Adjusting to every kind of tension (if you haven't find your sweet spot) is necessary for everyone to get the better of it and feel more of a connection to the ball. Not being said that this is a personal preferences, I enjoy both wearing and not wearing the dampener. It's just based on the situation I'm in and what I wanted from it.

[@hectormata449]

I will not play without a rabbit’s foot attached to the throat of my racket. It really protects me from injuries to my self esteem and I really “feel” lucky against better players. Yeah, I know, it wasn’t lucky to the rabbit, but we all have our beliefs that we have no rational reason to espouse as true.

[@TheTypek81]

I use them, and from my own experience, I tried playing without one and after longer session my wrist started to hurt, because my hand wasnt used to those vibrations. I think it can prevent minor injuries

[@lorenkousaie124]

Thanks for this interesting (if not entirely conclusive) assessment of vibration dampeners. I am curious if anyone has found any advantage to affixing the dampener at the top end of the raquet, to add headweight and help with racket speed, in addition to its vibration dampening properties? Interested in any perspectives -thanks!

[@topspin1715]

I don’t think that’s a good idea because I definitely hit top of strings far more often than where I keep my dampener which is at the bottom of the strings like Alex shows in video. Give it a try and let us know, I recommend a brightly colored one so you can find it once it flies off your racket

[@gregmaier5151]

Don’t be a kook 😂

[@neerajsinha2872]

It comes out while serving.

[@EverydayLare]

I actually prefer the firm feel when using a dampener. Other than that, the vibration sound is distracting to me. So, yes, I prefer using a dampener.

[@peejread2309]

I did not use a vibration dampener before. I use the 2020 prestige mp, which is a soft and flexy racquet, but after 1 day long tournament, I got tennis elbow. I've never had tennis elbow before and I was using a pretty stiff racquet (burn fst99). I noticed a lot of vibrations when i just hit the strings on my hand going to the handle of the racquet without the dampener. Now I am staying away from my prestige mp. I use a vibration dampener now and testing medium stiffness racquets to replace my racquet of choice. Still playing with tennis elbow though but not as often as before. I use the yonex vibration dampener which did not fly on me even once, i really recommend it.

[@rnzcrlordrgo]

With all due respect, there’s a good chance that your technique could use some work.

[@DrPravZ]

That's strange because I changed from PD to Prestige because of tennis elbow and never had any problems ever since. I use a Pro version though!

[@peejread2309]

@@DrPravZ I guess it could be the poly strings, with the heavy weight of the MP plus a whole day tournament since I ended up playing a lot of matches.

[@DrPravZ]

@@peejread2309 what tension you string them sir?

[@rowdyfowdy]

I use a rubber band across 6 strings. The main reason for me is I like the sound better. It's more staccato.

[@PL-fh8cz]

Me too... Many years ago I played with the K-factor vibration damper and I got tired of looking for it when I hit a ball near the racquet throat. IMO a rubber band works better because it provides less damping, but as you say, it doesn't hurt the noise of the strings making contact with the ball.

[@cam1210]

Just something to get used to, one way or the other. I used to play with one, changed rackets and didn't bother putting one on. Don't bother with a dampener any more.

[@topspin1715]

Same for me. I use one racket with it and sometimes swap to my other racket without it in the same match. No benefit except for reducing the ping noise.

[@eposz2]

Actually there is a wristband with a nut size half sphere filled with mercury - it is designed to dampen vibration at the wrist - so it reduces vibration not only at the wrist but also above up to the elbow and shoulder. I've found that useful, also.

[@meafordmichael]

The “shock absorber” you are referring to is called TENEX and it definitely is a tennis elbow preventer; having said that, poor technique, particularly hitting late is the main cause of tennis elbow.

[@Phoniq]

For me it's more about the sound that I prefer when I use a dampener as opposed to the pingy sound without.

[@Pabloeugeniogaliano]

I don't use Vibration dampener anymore... I lost so many and one day I said I won't use it anymore... Then I found better sensations playing without the vibration dampener... I feel more the strings on my hand.

[@timdean885]

I sometimes use a "squash small ball vibration dampener" and this seems to activate the string bed for better for worse. Otherwise all the rest dampen the string bed. My question really is = does the vibration dampener cause greater dwell on the string bed so that you can apply more spin (i e. control) to the ball?

[@Trumpet9406]

Good question actually

[@neerajsinha2872]

I think it's opposite is true !

[@-mrs2725]

This commentary is misleading. Vibration dampeners inserted in the string bed only muffle the sound of string vibration, they do not reduce shock in the frame itself and so do nothing to prevent injury, including tennis elbow.

[@80ajp]

Maybe they don't prevent injury. But, they seem to reduce pain a bit for players suffering from a minor arm injury or a bit of overuse. Atleast while playing. Just like softer rackets or strings can. Not that it means it is better to olay with one. Obv. the right racket, strings, grips, balls and technique are better for injury prevention.

[@user-fi3gf7jl2v]

That is completely false and anyone even remotely decent at tennis knows that. You can clearly feel significantly less vibration in the handle with a dampener

[@VintageSecure]

Where does it say you feel less vibrations in the handle? It only dampens the stringbed. 😂​@user-fi3gf7jl2v

[@user-fi3gf7jl2v]

@@VintageSecureI’ve tested it. Try stringing your racquet at a lower tension and it become more noticeable. With no dampener or even a bad dampener my hands are vibrating when I hit the ball. With a good dampener I feel no vibration at all. I couldn’t even play with no dampener. (Btw I use the pure aero 98 with 5 grams of lead at the 12 o clock with luxilon element in the mains strung at 40lbs and luxilon alu power rough in the crosses strung at 37 or 38 lbs). If you cant feel a difference in vibrations in your hands your probably just bad at tennis tbh

[@kassandralehming9641]

Pianos have dampers, as do stove-pipes. My tennis racquet sometimes has a damper and sometimes not, since they fall out frequently. I avoid dampening it by shielding it from the rain.

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

👍

[@kabibnurmagomedov197]

Which string using on the racket?

[@DrPravZ]

I need to know- 1. If the vibration is dampened and its holding onto the strings, shouldn't the dampener reduce the spin 2. If vibrations are reduced, the impact on the hand/arm should also be reduced technically, then why most videos say, it is only to reduce the sound and nothing else 3. It adds to the weight of string bed, shouldn't it change the balance

[@hansolsson3409]

I don't use one, i like the feedback of a clean hit!

[@HanzSygnal]

If I uses Babolat and not vcore pro, I would use dampener as well.

[@risklogixgrc2876]

An elastic band works well.

[@kabasakalis]

I am probably one of few players in our local club who doesn't use dampener - never had even a hint of tennis elbow. On the other hand, others who do use it , got the tennis elbow. My Yonex ezone-98 tour, has a vibration dampening material, why add a little piece of plastic which I am going to be dropping a lot and waste time searching for it on the court. Useless for me, each to his own ofcourse.

[@eposz2]

I use them - without a dampener I just have less control.

[@uchihasasuke7436]

To me, it really depends on the racket and string. Multi hybrid? No dampener. "high" tension poly? dampener. Low tension poly? No dampener. APD/PA? Dampener. Prestige/Speed/Radical? No Dampener

[@bertramattles1695]

I am sorry but I played tennis from the age of 8 and was professionally trained though I never played at anything close to a pro level I did play at an advance level I guess what they call now NTP 5.0 even though this rating does not take into account your competitiveness or mental strength as an athlete. When vibration dampeners first came out I tried one and it made no sense to me because it stop the one thing that strings are suppose to do vibrate! What happens when a guitar player puts his hands on the string to mute the sound at a break part in song, he is doing the same thing! If a player is having issues with vibration you have to look at the gauge of the string being used the type of string being used and also the tension. Those three things will immediately affect any vibration issues. Now the frame yes does play a big part but once you buy a frame you kinda have to make it work. Unless you get them free like the pros, you can put lead tape to adjust the balance. I felt these things we're someones bright idea to create something and convince you that you need it. If you look at 90 percent of the pros they don't use them and that to me is the tell tale sign if they are needed. It took me a full year as an advance player to finally feel that 16 gauge and approx 58 - 60 lb tension was good for me. I played with the Original Wilson Pro Staff which was already a very stiff and hefty racquet but the most accurate I ever played with. The only other racquet that I thought compared and the time was the Original Dunlop Max 200 G with the molded injection this racquet dampened all vibrations and was like swinging a Louisville slugger. You couldn't break that racquet if you tried and I scraped in many many times on hard Court surfaces. McEnroe played his best tennis with that racquet. Side note the original Wilson Pro Staff that people call the Pete Sampras racquet was actually created specifically by Wilson for Jimmy Conners. It was because he had to at some point stop playing with the T 2000 which was out of production. Jimmy actually did advertisements and commercials for the racquet I know because I had seen them many time. Jimmy played with the racquet for about 6 months or so and stop and Wilson sued him for breach, but by that time the racquet had caught on with all the players and at some point at least half of the pros men and women played with the racquet the other half mostly Yonex racquets. That was the last racquet I played with the RDS 001 the one Leyton Hewitt made famous, yellow was my favorite color and this racquet always turned heads lol

[@user-fi3gf7jl2v]

6 of the current top 10 players on the atp tour use dampeners. Djokovic and nadal use them, 2 of the 3 best players ever. To say the top players don’t use them is completely inaccurate

[@PhysEdDad]

Can't play without one. Hate the feel and sound

[@anthonygolden3827]

If you strike the ball on center dampener provides no advantage at all. On slightly off center strikes provides at the very least a psychological edge which is real

[@joshstar5995]

for me its essential to play with this only the sound it make make it great

[@markmartinez2530]

The only thing dampeners do is cost money and reduce feel

[@eposz2]

Not agreed - at least for me.

[@benjaminhalvorsen4586]

@@eposz2 So its free for you? ;)

[@eposz2]

@@benjaminhalvorsen4586 Not in that - although that tiny cost is not a factor. But the essence is that it is useful for me and some others.

[@K4R3N]

The age old argument. Still inconclusive even today

[@rachaeljacobs1508]

Can't play without one 👍🏼

[@raflanna]

The question here should be: does vibration generate injuries?

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

I think excessive vibration definitely could lead to injuries

[@tennisfitapp]

Dumpener was the biggest marketing scam in the tennis industry! IMO ;-)

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

🤣

[@joshstar5995]

we al know the pros dont need to play with these because they got differend rackets and strings

[@eposz2]

A lot of pros play with dampener.

[@tob8848]

Edberg didn't use one

[@TopTennisTrainingOfficial]

Many pros don’t

[@christopherseidl444]

sorry, ypu are providing wrong information... it doesn't stop vibration on the racket structure it reduces the sound of the cords... that's it...