Glom Tom: Level Up Your Gaming

written by Justin Prince (@prince_justin)

A week is all it took, in one short week I utilized the Glom Tom in my regular gaming and in one week I realized what I was missing this whole time. To be honest, while the science behind it was sound, speaking with Clif Chambliss (the creator of the Glom Tom) it was initially hard to wrap my mind around how this could improve my comfort as a gamer. But it’s not just a sales pitch when I tell you, you’ve got to try it to believe it.

Clif Chambliss, the mind behind the Glom Tom - photo by Rockbomber Studio

The Glom Tom is a “U” shaped pillow that rest on your lap, elevating the gamers arms while holding the controller creating a comfortable environment while blasting aliens. According to the kickstarter, the Glom Tom bolsters your arms at a 15 degree incline, this relieves tension in the gamers neck, shoulders, and back. Blood flow in the gamer’s hands are returned to their core, triggering your parasympathetic nervous system and encourages your body to embrace deeper relaxation and healing.

I tested it playing a myriad of different game types, and from my unbiased opinion here is what I discovered. Playing fast-twitch shooters definitely felt improved, I played a few rounds of Titanfall and Battlefield 4 resting my arms on the Glom Tom. Alertness and performance were greatly improved when my arms were resting as opposed to just hanging, after four or five matches I usually notice a sense of fatigue that I surprisingly didn’t notice when using the Glom Tom. The same can be said for third person games and shooters like inFAMOUS: Second Son and Tomb Raider. The biggest improvement in my gaming performance came in a third person game like Batman: Arkham City. Tackling a few challenge maps and playing some of the main story, I noticed a dramatic improvement in combat. Now, there aren’t too many games I master but (not to toot my own horn) I’m pretty damn awesome at the Arkham battle system. Fatigue definitely sets in quick when playing a game with a frantic combat system, but having the Glom Tom as a sidekick, I felt even more like the Dark Knight. For longer marathon gaming, like RPGs, the Glom Tom is a must have. After pouring several hours into a game, I tend to fidget on my couch in an attempt to find a more comfortable gaming position; this is of course more likely while RPG-ing. Unfortunately I didn’t get to test it much with handheld gaming, most of my handheld gaming is done on the go as opposed to sitting on my couch. But when I attended the Glom Tom kickstarter party at AFK Tavern, I was able to experience first hand how the Glom Tom improves comfort when playing on a PS Vita and especially a 3DS.

Gaming in cosplay! Checking out the Glom Tom at the Kickstarter launch party - photo by Rockbomber Studio

I truly believe in this product and feel it’s a product that belongs in every gamer’s home. It may be hard to believe that something as simple as a “U” shaped pillow can improve your comfort while gaming, but really you have to try it. Glom Tom just launched their kickstarter today, I sincerely want them to hit their goal and hopefully you can enjoy the sublime gaming experience I felt during my week with the Glom Tom. For more information make sure to check out their Facebook Page for all their updates. Get Lifted.

cheers and get lifted - photo by Rockbomber Studio