The Ultimate Off‑Ice Spinner Showdown

Whether you’re squeezing in practice in a tiny apartment or prepping for your next competition, off‑ice spinners are your at‑home secret weapon. This deep dive covers every angle—materials, design, spin realism, portability, and real skater feedback. Read on to find your perfect match and get every detail back in one place.

Why Off‑Ice Spinners Matter

Ice time can be scarce and expensive. Spinners give you:

• Consistent muscle memory: Repeat thousands of revolutions safely.
• Core stability drills: Engage your abs and hips off the ice.
• Edge awareness: Feel blade tilt and rocker.
• Upper-body stillness: Train posture without fear of falling.

1. Jerry’s Metal Spinner (Platform Style)

Description: A heavyweight, dual‑plate metal platform—think lazy Susan for skaters. It locks your skate in place, letting you focus purely on rotation.

Features

• All‑metal build: durable for years of use.
• High‑quality bearings: silky-smooth spins.
• Works on any surface: hardwood, carpet, tile, even rugs.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Supreme stability; non‑slip surface; ideal for high-speed, multiple-rep drills.
• Cons: Heavy (~2 lb); unrealistic flat feel (no rocker); spins can feel too easy and fast for edge training.

Real Skater Feedback

1. “Helps drill muscle memory—just step off if you slip.”
2. “Great for posture and upper-body stillness, but doesn’t mimic on-ice lean.”
3. “Fits in my Zuca bag, but it’s not fun lugging it around all day.”

For advanced skaters who want a stable base to crank out RPM, this is gold. But don’t rely on it alone—pair with a traveling spinner for realistic edge feel.

2. Board‑Style Spinners (Free‑Moving Disk)

These mimic actual blade movement by letting your foot travel slightly during spins. Two popular options:

Spinboard (Plastic Disk)

• Material: Curved plastic with foam top.
• Pros: Inexpensive; lightweight; portable; won’t damage floors.
• Cons: Rolls away—needs clear space; minimal rocker depth; static entry only.

Beginner‑friendly and perfect for learning to center your weight over the blade rocker.

EDEA Spinner (Nylon Board)

• Material: Flat nylon board shaped like blade.
• Pros: Wider surface for easier balance; gentle rocker feels close to ice.
• Cons: Slides on hardwood; pricier than a generic spinboard; edges can scratch floors.

Favored by intermediate skaters stepping up from basic spinboards—excellent for honing edge control.

Community Quotes

• “All the high‑performance skaters at my rink use EDEA—it really helps with spins.”
• “If you travel on ice, you’ll travel on these—just watch out for furniture!”

3. Foot‑Mounted & Mini Disk Spinners

Ultra‑compact options for one‑foot drills:

Metal Foot Spinner Disk

• Size: 3–6″ diameter aluminum.
• Pros: Pocket-sized; durable up to 300 lb; bi‑directional spin.
• Cons: Tiny surface—challenging for beginners; only one-foot practice.

Dance-Style Turn Boards (Larger)

• Material: Wood or rigid plastic, ~11″ diameter.
• Pros: Allows two‑foot spins; stable stance.
• Cons: No casing—feet can slip; scuffs floors; wears out foam.

Great intermediate tool once you’ve mastered basic balance; not recommended as your first spinner.

4. Elite & Specialty Spinners

High-end boards built for competitive edge:

• Elite Spinner: Ultra-thin composite for max RPM; left/right models available; used by Olympians. ($500–700)
• Spinergy & Pro Ranges: Custom curvature to mimic blade rocker; engineered for jumps, twizzles, and pro drills.

Pros: Targeted for precision; ultra-light; extremely responsive.
Cons: Exorbitant cost; flat platform lacks perfect ice simulation; not beginner-friendly.

Spin Realism & Blade Feel

True on-ice spins travel and tilt. Coaches agree: free-moving spinners (Spinboard/EDEA) best mimic that sensation. Fixed platforms (Jerry’s/Elite) excel at pure speed and posture, but skew edge dynamics.

Durability vs. Portability

Real Skater Verdict

Forums are split, but consensus is clear: own two spinners. Use a board for realism and balance, and a fixed platform for speed and endurance. No gadget replaces real ice practice—combine tools for best results.

Gear Pairing: AST Rink Side Tote

Your new spinner needs a home—AST’s Rink Side Tote carries blades, guards, and snacks with style. Zip pockets fit disks and keep everything organized.

Shop Jerry’s Spinner → Get the Rink Tote → Browse All Spinners →