Spinner is a versatile training tool for figure skaters, skiers and dancers.
Take your Spinner with you and practise, for instance, during warm-up before getting on ice. Before starting, make sure that you have enough space. Use your Spinner on a hard, slippery and even surface free of sand and small stones. On a softer surface the speed of rotation will be slower. On your feet we recommend sneakers or indoor sport shoes.
At the beginning you may find it diffcult to execute long spins, but with practice you will improve your straight body positions and feel more comfortable. You can practise any kind of spin on your Spinner: sit spin, camel spin, fast spin, layback spin and different kinds of combinations – spin forward and backward. With your Spinner you can also simulate three turns, brackets, counters, rockers and loops.
With Spinner it is possible to combine balance exercises with specific muscle training.
An example of instructions for technical Figure-Skating exercises can be found below. You can download the A4 sized instructions in full in printable PDF format by clicking on the Flag button below.
© Pro Balance Oy, 2009. This document is under copywright and can only be used for private purposes.
Golden Skate - Instructions for Figure-Skaters
The Figure-Skating specialist shop Golden Skate have made their own instructions (In Finnish only) and videos for Figure Skaters. These can be viewed and downloaded by visiting their own web pages. Click on the logo below.
”Plastic spinners as a supplementary of-ice training tool.
Spinners brings great benefts to the training program of a fgure skater. With the help of spinners you can practise the 1) start 2) acceleration and 3) fnish of a spin. You can also vary the position of the spin between 1) stand spin 2) sit spin and 3) camel spin.
By changing the position of the spin you are able to mimic the combination spins on ice and improve you sense of balance.
On your spinners you can spin on either leg both clockwise and anti-clockwise.
With a spinner you can practise middle body control. The bottom of the spinner is rounded like the blade of a skate (front and back blade). It is convex in crosswise direction and it feels like being on the blades of skates (inner and outer curve). `You should stand on the spinner so that your point of balance is on the ball of the foot. When you change your position, the point of balance will slightly move to the front or back, or in or out. This will result in a feeling of loss of balance and it requires good middle body control to be able maintain the balance.
An advanced skater (good control of middle body) can move on to the Jame-Balancer and either do the same exercises as with the Spinner or try even more challenging exercises, for instance with special equipment like a ball.
Regular practise 4-5 times a week, 10-15 minutes at a time is recommended. Care should be taken to maintain the upper body in a relaxed but good posture.
Many ice-skaters have already been using spinners regularly for 6-7 years and thus greatly improved their spinning, the air-position of their jumps and the preparation for landing.
– Berit Kaijomaa, Junior Olympic Coach
In my work I help young skaters and dancers achieve as good control of their bodies as possible. The use of two Jame-Balancers is a great way for dancers to practise turnouts. The hugely versatile Jame-Balancer is benefcial for various user groups from rehabilitation to top athletes, from children to the elderly.
– Lilli Helpi, Physiotherapist
