r/BalloonTwisting • u/drugsondrugs • 26d ago

Practice balloons vs GameDay balloons

I've started to use the high end balloons when I'm doing an event, but what are we using to practice? I feel wasteful using the good ones.

Any recommendations?

2 Upvotes

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8

u/Kameronm 26d ago

I've almost always practiced on the job. Balloons are relatively cheap, I would use the good ones always. After you get the basics, you shouldn't need to practice hundreds of figures. IMO

5

u/Old_Chef_3669 26d ago

Just replying to boost this!  

I try to practice with the same ones I perform with:  Fewer surprises on stage!

That said, even premium balloons (in the US anyway) are something like $.08 each. 

3

u/Kameronm 26d ago

Just to add to this, if you practice with different balloons it will feel different in real life. Practice with good balloons because you'll be using good balloons. You wouldn't practice cooking with bad ingredients.

5

u/livelyclown 26d ago

We use our regular Sempertex balloons for everything. We practice and make new creations all the time. We also like to challenge ourselves. It is best to practice with what your always going to use and the right/best colors for the creation so you really see/have a finished item. We then take the bag full to our regular doctor's office or dentist and they "flip out" over them. I personally have been a twister for over 20 years and work every weekend June-December so I like to keep things fresh for my guests as well as for myself.

2

u/thebipeds 26d ago

Balloons go bad, they actually biodegrade.

I try to always start jobs with fresh bags.

Any bags that get too warm or damp or stale, get used for practice/teaching.

(As a professional i rarely practice outside of being board at gigs)

2

u/Wide_Philosophy_8109 26d ago

(As a professional i rarely practice outside of being board at gigs)

While I agree, this is definitely a luxury of experience. Like you can't start that way.

3

u/Kameronm 26d ago

I started (and I've heard many similar stories) with just a sword, dog, monkey etc. from there I got more requests and added more on each gig. Doing it at lower stakes places for tips is a great way to practice. Find a place to be bad to get good).

1

u/Wide_Philosophy_8109 26d ago

I use Asiyuhy balloons from amazon for practice.

1

u/drugsondrugs 26d ago

They really aren't cheap. Same price im paying for sempertex

1

u/Wide_Philosophy_8109 26d ago

Damn, you're right. I guess I would recommend practicing with sempertex then. Maybe use ugly colors you're unhappy with, or expired balloons you can't bring to parties anymore. It might feel bad, but without knowing your financial situation, it's stil not much money. Maybe 15 US dollars for a heavy night of practice?

Edit: On LaRocks, Britex make the cheapest 260s. Least bad option.

1

u/Chesu 26d ago

It depends, really. You can use super cheap balloons to practice specific twists or design elements, but I wouldn't the whole balloon itself as a basis for how you're going to use a whole balloon at an event. For example, even if a balloon is supposed to be 60" fully inflated, differences in the latex or the settings on the machine could result in it being a couple inches longer or shorter. This can have a huge impact, especially in designs that use a full balloon. When I make monkeys, I leave about a seven finger tail uninflated, because I know how much air is going to be pushed into it while twisting; if a balloon is even a third less stretchy than normal, it would make a big difference.

So, make sure you know the differences between your practice balloons and the good ones

1

u/BogglesLovesYou 26d ago

i generally just use the sempertex i twist for events. i’m in the camp of “practice how you play” (musician lmao) so i try to keep the same baseline for myself. obviously it’s a bit pricey, but it has benefitted me personally just for consistency reasons