I have been reading books and watching DVDs trying to learn coin sleights. It occurred to me that perhaps I should be doing some type of hand excercises and or drills. If you're training for sports, this is what you do. Does anybody do this? If so what type of routine do you follow? I'M really determined to learn to be proficient at coins. I know with enough practice and a little help, I can get there.

I think if you practice a basic coins across you can incorporate quite a few techniques in one go such as palms, click passes, concealment's, Han Ping Chien etc.

You might find this (related) thread to be useful: http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......&forum=3

Dan and Dave used to sell this on their site. They work great. I not only benefit with coin and card moves/grips but I had a real need for physical therapy as I lost some use of my right arm after a surgery. http://www.prohands.net/products/pro.php
They also sell them at sporting good chains like Dick's in the golfing section and for rock climbing and such. I went with the 9 lb per finger one and it seems adequate for all my needs. Also, after 5 years of use, It is still like brand new.

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to get me one of the hand excercisers. Would you say that the stronger your hand muscles get, the more control you have over the coins? I used to lift weights alot, so my hands are pretty strong. These coin sleights are something really different, though. In some ways, it's like learning to use your hands for the first time. Any time I am relaxing now, I have a coin in my hands. I'M going through the moves I know and then trying to learn new ones.
Here is something peculiar I have noticed. I am right handed, yet my left hand is much better at magic. I think it's because I'm using a different part of my brain when doing the sleights.

I am pretty sure Kainoa Harbottle is right handed but does his coin magic left handed. That may be a good thing. I am kind of ambidextrous where coins are concerned as I always practiced equally with both hands.

As for the grip tool. You are not really using it to build "strength" but use it 1 finger at a time trying not to move the others so you can build up the ability to lessen your unwanted "extra" finger movements. I do one finger at a time then my outer 2 then inner 2 then outer 2 then inner 2... as one of many to help the fingers move independently. Also try going back and forth with "pointer / ring" together then the "middle / pinky" together over and over. This is why I suggest a lesser tension. I got the 9 lb but I needed the extra for physical therapy. A lesser "poundage?" would probably be better for just working on dexterity and getting your fingers to move independently of one another.

My second round of neck cancer required a "radical neck dissection" and chemo. They removed all my lymph nodes, my jugular vein and a large muscle (and a coupe other things) from the right side of my neck. Initially, I lost the feeling from the top of my ear to my inner collar bone. Over the next several months the loss of feeling made it to (and just over) my shoulder. Circulation is also poor as well as much nerve damage. I just happened upon this little gem on Dan and Daves old website and it actually "changed my world". They promoted it as building hand and finger strength for "Cardestry" Kind of like the metal plates for learning the "Pass". I grabbed one up and managed to save my arm. The damage has not gone any further down my arm since I started using it, and... My hand / finger dexterity has greatly improved. ---- Winner winner chicken dinner

Anyway, good luck with them for all of you who try. I know my story is a little extreme but the reward (where magic is concerned) is definitely there as well as the medical problems it greatly helped.

2 years ago, I was attacked by a severe case of arthritis. I could not close either hand. The rehab guys at the Veterans administration gave me excersize putty to work with. It’s cheap, found in any pharmacy. Look it up on line. It helped relieve the symptoms, and gave me more flexibility. Although the hands still aren’t normal, for the first time in 2 years, I can once again palm a half.

Thanks for the tip about the putty. I will definitely give it a try. I have noticed that many of the coin guys on here have some type of physical disabilities. Arthritis seems to be the most common. I myself have arthritis in both knees and one hip. This is due to old football injuries. I have constant pain in both legs. I have learned to live with it, but it sucks. I put a hot tub in my basement, which does give me some relief. I find that when I'm sitting watching TV or whatever, if I keep my hands busy, I don't feel the pain so much.

Signet, you’ll find suggested excersizes using the putty on line.

For what it’s worth .... I just got over a 2 year bout of arthritis. Although I still can’t close my hands tight enough to hold my color changing knives, I woke up one day last month and all the pain was gone. Overnight, the same way it came on me 2 years to the month before. I can even walk normally. Weirdest thing. Maybe my wife’s cooking killed off what was causing it. (Don’t tell her I said so.)

That is unusual. Arthritis usually doesn't get better on its own. I have bouts of the gout, which is a form of arthritis caused by high uric acid levels. If I take allopurinol it goes away. Have you ever been tested before this?

I went through testing in 2 hospitals, 3 different specialists ... where’s Robert Ripley now that I need him?

The very best exercise for coin sleights is practicing coin sleights. Most people seem to think you need to be home, in front of a mirror.

Most of my coin practice happens throughout my day- in my jacket pocket I'm moving in and out of holds, as I walk through a store, I'm classic palming. It's a part of life, rather than something set aside as a chore or session at set times. Moving betwixt "holds" smoothly and confidently and invisibly is what it's all about.

Having other hobbies that use dexterity does help. Guitar playing, for instance, definitely builds strength- But I'm convinced that practicing basic sleights is the best thing you can do. It's also more interesting and fun than some routine exercise devised by a non-magician.

Finally, and most importantly, this practice NEEDS and SHOULD be fun, never work. It should add to your life experience in positive ways, and you should be looking forward to practicing, when you can't do it because of meetings or carrying groceries, or other less enjoyable activities.

My two silver cartwheels on that subject.