New Low-Cost Training Device Promises to Help Skiers Find Their Perfect Position
New Low-Cost Training Device Promises to Help Skiers Find Their Perfect Position
Published : 31-Dec-2011 11:04
A new gizmo that slots under your ski boot and has been invented by a Lancashire based firm has been created to allow skiers to find their "sweetspot" in their stance.
The inventors believe that this will result in better balance, smoother turns and a more professional style for the skiers that use it.
The SkiA Sweetspot Trainer consists of specially designed balance blocks that clip to the underneath of a skier's boot to line up exactly with the location of the "sweetspot", helping to improve balance and coordination.
Do you know where your sweetspot is? Inventor Martin Breach says that many skiers are unaware of its importance and may mistakenly believe that it is found under the ball of the foot, or even under the toes when in fact, it is right in the centre of the foot.
"By wearing the trainer, skiers can practise on the balance blocks away from the slopes so that when they hit the snow, their balance and coordination on the sweetspot is dramatically improved. Expert skiers know that balance on the sweetspot is essential for good style, control and performance." said Mr Breach, "Modern skis and boots are designed to work around this point, and using the sweetspot requires much less effort – which greatly reduces fatigue and muscle pain, making skiing at any speed much safer. The Sweetspot Trainer allows skiers to find and balance on exactly the right point for their skis to work perfectly."
The Sweetspot Trainer was developed with Hugh Monney - founder of the British Alpine Ski School (BASS) who has written an instruction manual with skiing pointers to accompany the device.
"The SkiA Sweetspot Trainer gives skiers the opportunity to improve their balance and coordination in a very sophisticated way. After a few minutes practice on the trainers, skiers benefit from a very clear and specific understanding of what it means to balance skilfully on skis. This is an insight that can elude even very experienced skiers. The Sweetspot Trainers will take users directly to this new experience," he said.
Each pair of SkiA Sweetspot Trainers includes four different sized balance blocks following the same grading as French and Italian pistes - green (beginner), blue (intermediate), red (advanced) and black (expert). They cost £45.00 per pair from www.skia.com or independent ski retailers.
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