If you don't have access to a rink 24/7 you may need to practice your spins off-ice.
This guide will help you find the best figure skating spinner for you, depending on your goal.
It covers the criteria and reviews of the top brands: Jerry, Edea, Zenmarkt, Bezioner and Spinboard.
This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you (learn more).
Best figure skating spinner - summary
For figure skaters, time on the ice is limited, therefore off-ice training is essentials. One thing you can work on at home is spins.
If you read comments, you will see that there are very different opinions on the best figure skating spinners.
The choice depends on your objectives, you budget and your level.
Below is a very brief summary with your different options.
I recommend reading the whole article to understand the differences and make the right choice for you.
1. METAL SPINNER
Goal = practice correct positioning
- Stable base that works on all floorings
- Does not travel on the floor
- Does not have a rocker
Get the Jerry spinner / Read reviews
Get the alternative / Read reviews
2. EDEA SPINNER
Goal = building core muscle and finding balance
- Travels on the floor
- Rocker like a blade
- Balance point is more centered / back than on a skate
3. Curved SPINNER - Spinboard or Bezioner or Zenmarkt
Goal = For beginners to practice spinning off ice for a cheaper price
- Cheapest option
- Travels on the floor
- Good to work on core strength and balance
- But balance point is more on the heel than on a skate - not for practicing good positioning
Safety Note - ESSENTIALS
Before you start using any spinner, please make sure you have enough space around you! If you lose balance, you may fall and hit something.
Types of spinners - Pros and cons
Why use an off-ice spinner?
Mastering the spin is essential for figure skaters. Learning how to do it will take time and patience.
The best way is to learn on the ice. However, your available time on the ice is most probably limited.
Your only solution is to practice spinning off-ice.
But have you tried spinning on the ground with a flat foot? NOT possible...
This is why you need a spinner. All models are created to allow you to rotate on the ground.
It is one of the best figure skating off-ice equipment - see all my suggestions.
What is an ice skating spinner?
It is a tool (metal, plastic...) that you place under your feet to be able to spin.
Several types of spinners exist: one-piece with rocker, 2 pieces rotation or discs.
The one-piece spinners
One small piece of equipment larger than a foot, curved to get minimum floor friction and maximum spin.
2 types of designs: entirely curved or flat on top and curved below.
Pros
- Generally, the cheapest options
- Travels on the ground as you spin for a more realistic experience
- Good to work on core muscle and balance
- Easy to transport and store
- More festive in the colors
Cons
- Not for practicing your technique
- It can give you bad habits as the user as a tendency to spin towards the heel
- It can damage the floor
- Narrow, not ideal for wide feet
The 2 plates spinners
2 pieces of metal with bearings allowing rotation. One plate stays on the floor while the other rotates above.
Pros
- Stable, does not travel; it is, therefore, great to work on positioning - to drill it into your memory
- Can be used on all types of flooring
- Easy to store
Cons
- Does not travel, so the experience is less realistic
- No rocker to work on finding point of balance
- Requires an understanding of spinning basis
- Limited in what you can do with it
The ballet turn board - disc spinners
The ballet disc is one round piece of equipment with a curved bottom.
Pros
- It makes you work the core as you try to keep balance with movement in all directions (as it is round)
- Cheaper than 2 plates spinners
Cons
- The surface is quite small - Better for ice dancer turning on their toes, not ideal for figure skaters spinning with a flat foot.
Even though they write "for ice skaters" in the description, I don't recommend this option for figure skaters.
Figure skating off-ice spinners - Reviews
Metal Ice skating Spinner Jerry - review
Type
2 plates - therefore great for working on positioning but does not travel and not ideal to work on balance point.
Reviews and notes
- Grippy surface on bottom and top
- Good quality product - just might need oil after a few days
- Smooth and fast spin
- Does not damage the flooring
- Weight limit = not indicated, reviews seem positive regarding heavier users
- Might feel a little small for adults with long feet
- A little heavier than the one-piece a equipment but you can still travel with it
- Users are reporting spinning progress - read the reviews
- Check reviews of the Alternative - Get the alternative / Read reviews
Edea Spinner Review
Type
One-piece spinner - the rocker is only under, the top is flat.
Therefore great for working on balance (although not exactly the same point as when figure skating) but does not work on all flooring and can damage the floor. Good for working on core muscles, but not the best to perfect spinning position.
Reviews and notes
- Popular
- Cool choice of designs
- Don't use on wood - Damages floor
- Generally considered better for balance than the curved one-piece spinner.
- Users are reporting spinning progress - read the reviews
Zenmarkt Spinner review
Type
One-piece spinner with a curved design. Travels while spinning. Good for working on core muscles, but not the best to perfect spinning position. Easier to start with for a beginner, but may set up bad habits without basis training on the ice.
Reviews and notes
- Available in 2 colors
- Can be purchased with or without practice book
- Easy to practice spins
- Damages floor
Bezioner Spinner review
Type
One-piece spinner with a curved design. Travels while spinning. Good for working on core muscles, but not the best to perfect spinning position. Easier to start with for a beginner, but may set up bad habits without basis training on the ice.
Get the Bezioner or get the pack
Reviews and notes
- Comes in a few colors
- Damages floor
- Easy to practice spins
- Not ideal for wide feet
Spinboard Spinner review
Type
One-piece spinner with a curved design. Travels while spinning. Good for working on core muscles, but not the best to perfect spinning position. Easier to start with for a beginner, but may set up bad habits without basis training on the ice.
Reviews and notes
- Comes in a few colors
- Easy to practice spins
- Damages floor
- Not ideal for wide feet
Other off-ice exercises to help you spin
All exercises that make you work on balance and core strength will help you with your spins.
For core strength, work on:
- Sit-ups
- Plank
- Pilates
For balance, work on:
- 1 leg exercises such as squats - increase difficulty with stretching band
- Tightrope walk
- Yoga
More articles about figure skating:
- The essential pieces of figure skating equipment you need - read article
- Gift for figure skaters - 50 ideas - read article
- Figure skating off-ice training routine - what to work on - read article
- Best ice skating bags to carry your skates - read article
- Best ice skate towels to dry out blades - read article
- Best Figure Skating Protective Gear - read article
- Figure skating training clothes - tips + 5 looks - read article
- Best figure skating tights and leggings - read article
- 9 Tips fo Figure skating moms and dads (competition level) - read article
- Figure Skating Competition Checklist - read article
- Figure skating coach gift ideas - read article
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