Thoughts on a used skiers edge to improve my skiing?

[Arli]

My head and feet were not communicating with each other at Divas West. Granted, I was dealing with some health issues, but there was a tremendous disconnect going on between my brain and my body. To remedy this disconnect, I am looking at purchasing a used skiers edge. I am hoping this will help with my weight transfers and balanced footing. Thoughts?

 

[Jilly]

Nothing wrong with that idea. Bosu balls are another idea.

 

[marzNC]

Can be helpful. I got one of the original Skier's Edge for cheap off Craigslist when I was in the midst of knee rehab back in the fall of 2012. I had my daughter test it out before making the purchase. The original owner had moved it from Boston to Raleigh at some point and was getting rid of all his ski stuff . . . moving in with a GF who didn't ski. The skis he was selling were straight skis.

For balance training, I like the Slackboard by Gibbon. Got one about a year ago after playing with one at my indoor rock climbing gym. There are two versions, a single line and a double line. Gibbon is currently having a sale. Seem to have sales every few months.

Note that similar to a BOSU or Swiss Ball, there are far more exercises that can be done with a Slackboard than just balance. I learned several upper body exercises and hamstring exercises from my personal trainer that I still do every so often. The Slackboard website has training videos.

 

[badger]

We have a Skier's Edge that my husband uses daily. It's a one-trick pony , not something that will accommodate more variable movement by design. They are also large pieces of equipment. I think DH uses it just for strengthening as part of his daily routine. I myself never found it to be exceptional for balance or weight transfer. I was closer to a beginner when we purchased this unit. And I very mistakenly kept reinforcing the idea---as stated by several ski instructors---that I needed to pressure the outside edge while turning. So I figured the Skier's Edge lateral focus would help me do that. I learned along the way that the "pressure" description is not quite accurate. ( many threads within this forum regarding that word as used by too many instructors) WEIGHT transfer is far more appropriate description . The Skier's Edge , for me, does not help with that at all, because in order to move the sliding platform you do have to force the change of direction with your feet and legs. To me, that is not weight transfer, and it does not see special for any significant gain in balance.

If you are in the area where the unit is being sold, try it out .