Get Ready for Winter video: SkiA Ski Trainer Exercise Number Six
British ski cross athlete, Emily Sarsfield has filmed six videos about how you can use the SkiA S...
There is detailed information about fitting and using the Trainers in our manual, which can be downloaded from this link.
This has replaced the first edition of our printed manual.The fitting instructions, in particular, have been improved and expanded. If your version of the manual is printed in ‘landscape’ format, rather than ‘portrait’ format, then we recommend downloading this new edition.
We've also updated some of our guidance very recently - see below for up-to-date information on using the Trainer on snow, and with children's boot sizes
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The trainers come as a pair of devices (right and left foot)
All 4 pairs of balance blocks are included in each pack - green, blue, red and black.
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The Sweetspot Trainers are a dry land ski training device, which are used with ski bootsÂÂ
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Use them on a firm, fairly smooth dry surface that is not slippery or icy. For example, they will work very well on many tiled or wooden surfaces. They will work well on carpet, provided the pile is not too soft or deep - though carpet will have the effect of making the blocks harder to balance on. Please be careful not to damage the surface in use.
Very coarse or rough surfaces can damage the rubber bases of the blocks – particularly if pivoting on the trainers. If pivoting, choose a firm, relatively smooth surface, and check your blocks frequently for signs of wear.
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We originally advised in our manuals that the trainers weren't intended to be used on snow. In fact, experience has shown that they can be used very successfully on firm snow - just make sure that the surface doesn't become icy and slippery. The larger blocks (green and blue) will work better on snow than the smaller red and black blocks, as they won't 'dig' inÂÂ
Yes - they are designed to work with ski boots. Ski boots limit the range of movement of the ankle, which means that the body has to balance in a way that very closely matches the experience of being on skis.
It's possible to stand on the trainer in shoes or bare feet, and they can be used safely in this way without ski boots as a type of balance challenge. However, they just won̢۪t work as a ski trainer in this way.
If you don't yet own ski boots, you can still benefit from using the trainers intensively in resort when you have access to a pair. Owning well-fitted ski boots is, however, just about the best investment any skier can make.
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They fit all sizes of adult alpine ski boots perfectly.ÂÂ
They don't fit ski touring (AT) boots so neatly because the soles are wider than normal alpine ski boots, and sit over the lips of the footplate. Although they won't be the usual snug fit, they are still very usable with AT boots. You are welcome to contact us for fitting tips.
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Children's ski boot sizes are narrower than adult boots. Therefore, children's boots fit loosely but securely between the edge 'lips' of the tray.ÂÂ
When we first launched in 2012, we hadn't tested extensively with children's boots, and at that time we were unable to state that the Trainers could be used with these smaller sizes. Since then, the Trainers have been very extensively used and tested with children of all ages. At the time of writing, May 2014, we can advise that the Trainers are safe to use with children's boots provided an adult supervises their use, takes sensible precautions (as outlined in our manual) and ensures that the Trainers are not being misused
Our manuals were written in 2012, and do not yet reflect this new guidance. We will update our printed information in due course.
Typical training sessions last approximately 10-15 minutes
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That depends. Quite simply, the more often you practice, the more quickly you will improve. ÂÂ
It's important to use the trainers when you feel fresh and rested. If you start to fatigue when using them, take a break, and come back to them later.
Some users may prefer to use the trainers every day, or every few days, over a period of time. Others may like to use the trainers for repeated sessions - 4, 5 or 6 times a day -  over a shorter period of time. ÂÂ
Although you will see immediate improvement, right from the very first time you use them, it takes a little while for the brain and body to adapt to the challenge. Periods of rest and sleep are vital to building improvement
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There are different stages of training:
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We ship anywhere worldwide. Our UK site www.skia.com lists 62 countries. If your country is not on the list, please contact us.
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Please contact us - we will reply promptly and personally to any queries
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See our guarantees here