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Dance Socks for Off-Ice Spin Practice

Started by FigureSpins, February 09, 2018, 11:31:56 AM

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FigureSpins

Saw this promoted on FB this morning:  https://www.thedancesocks.com/

Q: What would happen if I just tied a strip of lycra around my sneaker at the ball of the foot?  Could I spin on my smooth kitchen floor?
A: YES!  It works fine - I could do forward and backward spins.

Because it has more friction than a spin trainer, the turns are slower, which lets the skater stay in control.  The skater has to balance more, which is always a good thing.  It allows you to put the weight ont he actual ball of your foot, not in the center the way that dance turn boards.

It's a step up from spinning in your socks because the sneakers provide support.  Definitely a cheap way to do off-ice spin practice.

You could probably cut the toe off a pair of socks and get the same result.

In fairness, the product they're selling is more refined than my ratty, uneven strip of lycra from my scrap bag.  It's also a sock-like material.

Give it a try and let me know what you think!
"If you still look good after skating practice, you didn't work hard enough."

Year-Round Skating Discussions for Figure Skaters - www.skatingforums.com

Bill_S

All I need is a larger kitchen floor.

(Thanks for the suggestion. It sounds very easy to try.)
Bill Schneider

Loops

Quote from: FigureSpins on February 09, 2018, 11:31:56 AM
Saw this promoted on FB this morning:  https://www.thedancesocks.com/

Q: What would happen if I just tied a strip of lycra around my sneaker at the ball of the foot?  Could I spin on my smooth kitchen floor?
A: YES!  It works fine - I could do forward and backward spins.

Because it has more friction than a spin trainer, the turns are slower, which lets the skater stay in control.  The skater has to balance more, which is always a good thing.  It allows you to put the weight ont he actual ball of your foot, not in the center the way that dance turn boards.

It's a step up from spinning in your socks because the sneakers provide support.  Definitely a cheap way to do off-ice spin practice.

You could probably cut the toe off a pair of socks and get the same result.

In fairness, the product they're selling is more refined than my ratty, uneven strip of lycra from my scrap bag.  It's also a sock-like material.

Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Awesome.  +GOE for the alternative-product testing.  Who of us DOESN"T have scraps of lycra lying around?!  What an awesome use for them.

lutefisk

No scraps of lycra kicking around.  Some old sail maker dacron scraps but probably not the same.

Loops

Quote from: lutefisk on February 09, 2018, 09:39:46 PM
No scraps of lycra kicking around.  Some old sail maker dacron scraps but probably not the same.

I can send you some of mine.  No worries.

lutefisk

Where's the "like" button on this forum?!

AgnesNitt

You can buy cheap lycra bands at 5 and Below. Get the heavy duty ones.
Yes I'm in with the 90's. I have a skating blog. http://icedoesntcare.blogspot.com/

FigureSpins

Quote from: lutefisk on February 10, 2018, 10:05:55 PM
Where's the "like" button on this forum?!

If you like a post, give the poster some love by clicking the [+GOE] link below their name.  [Sorry, there's no [-GOE] option.)
"If you still look good after skating practice, you didn't work hard enough."

Year-Round Skating Discussions for Figure Skaters - www.skatingforums.com

FigureSpins

Quote from: AgnesNitt on February 11, 2018, 12:00:44 PM
You can buy cheap lycra bands at 5 and Below. Get the heavy duty ones.

Lycra bands at FiveBelow?  Which section - headbands?  I was just in there on Friday and didn't see anything like that in the sports section - only the latex bands.

(I ♥ @FiveBelow for figure skating off-ice workout tools.)
"If you still look good after skating practice, you didn't work hard enough."

Year-Round Skating Discussions for Figure Skaters - www.skatingforums.com

lutefisk

Quote from: FigureSpins on February 11, 2018, 02:49:21 PM
If you like a post, give the poster some love by clicking the [+GOE] link below their name.  [Sorry, there's no [-GOE] option.)

Thanks!  Done!

FigureSpins

I ordered a pair of the "carpet" socks and a four-pack of the "smooth floor" socks.  I can try out the extra smooth ones with a student or two or three.

There are some competing products on Amazon, but they were more expensive, so I figured I'd try these out.  BTW, if you order more than 24 or more pairs, there's a 15% discount - you have to contact the company for that information.

I'll post a review of TheDanceSocks after we give them a spin!
"If you still look good after skating practice, you didn't work hard enough."

Year-Round Skating Discussions for Figure Skaters - www.skatingforums.com