SkiA Sweetspot Trainer

I bought SKIA few weeks ago and started training immediately ahead of ski season. The vendor is totally honest, it is not an easy training regimen. It took mee two weeks to master the green ones, then move to the blue blocks after ten days I move hastily to the red blocks before feeling fully relaxed with the blue blocks. It was depressing and felt really out of balance, after few sessions went back for one week to blue blocks , now on red again and doing much better. My balance on ski boots is really better, my micro muscles response to maintain balance at all times is really quick. I will hit the slopes in Austria next week and will assess the improvement I gained. I have a skiers edge machine, and honestly after using it pre season for 5 years did not gain much improvement other than training my quad muscles which I can do without (I have the older skiers edge, not the new one that incline or use with boots ). After my ski trip I will update my review regarding SKIA and find if it was worthwhile the 30 minute sessions 4 times a week for six weeks. If results will be ok, I will make the effort to move to black blocks. UPDATE: Just got back from a one week ski trip to Austria after pre season training on SKIA. My feedback is that my balance control improved, although i did not have a balance issue before, but i can feel it that my balance and micro muscles are much more responsive for very tough terrain even when going on black slopes with tough snow conditions. I tried skiing on one ski and surprisingly went much more distance now. The big plus is that my thigh muscles are better trained for the start of season, i did not feel any pain during the first two days, i think using SKIA for 30 minutes 3 times a week and squatting on them, trained my muscles. I have also the "Skiers Edge" machine which i used for pre season training, honestly i found SKIA more effective and for the fraction of the price. So for four 30 minute sessions a week for one month, i guess you will find a difference, not in skiing style or stance but in balance and endurance.

I never successfully got the binder on. The strap broke off before I could get it on.

This is a terrific training device for improving center of balance while wearing the ski boot at home. For clarification, this is a home or solid dry land trainer - not for the slopes. The adjustable "bear trap" fits on any ski boot. Pay close attention to the application instructions so that the balancing blocks line up properly with center of your boot (marked |A) on boot's instep. The challenge is to remained balanced on the center of your boots while flexing both legs (i.e., slowly squatting) maintain fore/aft balance while flexing and extend up and down and not touching the floor with either heel or toe. As you become proficient on a pair of blocks which attach to each bear trap, then the skier removes the block (begin with largest block) and attaches a smaller one. The payoff: On my first day out during the 2015/16 ski season, I immediately noticed a greater sensation of balanced pressure down through the center of my boots, to both the tips and tails of my skis, much like I was pressing a button down with the center of my arches. Don't be put off by the toy-ish look of this product - SKIA really works and you don't need to spend more than 15 minutes at a session on them.

These are so simple, yet so effective. I've been skiing for 25 years, but have plateaued. When I get into tight trees or steep chop, I revert to old, bad habits. I wish I'd had these years ago, my foundation would be bulletproof now. Be patient. Fine motor skills are not created overnight. Even on the beginner, it's tough at first. Give them a try. You won't be sorry! The only reason I held off on the fifth star is that they are a little flimsy for the price point. That said, there's nothing like them.

A good way of training your balance off snow. Depending on your level you may find that the large blocks are easy so skip ahead until you find the right ones. Aim for the one that is small enough that you cannot stay balanced for long time but not so small that you cannot stay balance more than a few seconds. Don't forget to do the exercises that they mention in the included booklet.

Fantastic item !!! I feel it will help a lot in upcoming season.. I would suggest taking some old poles, cutting a bit off of them and placing some tennis balls on the end, (don't put any weight on them as the tennis balls will slide) just grip them lightly, and do some "simulated pole plants" while balancing, for me it added a bit of realism to an already great product...

I would not recommend these at all. Not challenging and poor fit.

Designed to help you balance and get centered in your boots, you progress from the easy green block through blue, black and finally red. While East Coast skiing lends itself to weight forward - press on the ball of your foot - I have found that being centered works great, giving you room to move forward if conditions dictate. The first time putting them on your boots, it takes a little effort getting them snugged and centered. TIP: mark the location on the binding where the lock is. This makes setting them up next time easy. This is especially important if you share them with someone else. The first time on, even the Green is difficult. Even if you are advance and will progress quickly, definitely go through the blocks in order.