I just recently realized that many of my problems in skating are due to weak muscles, e.g., I can't hold an LFO edge because my gluteus medius muscle is weak. Strangely, no matter how often I do that move in skating, it doesn't do anything to make the muscle stronger! I find though that strengthening exercises off-ice actually works better at improving the said muscle than skating itself.
Did any of you have the same problem, i.e., problems with balance or edges that doesn't seem to improve with consistent practice?