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I wear super thin socks with my Edea Overtures so I usually put them on before my leggings so they are underneath and then I just stick my foot in my boot along with the leggings. I wear running leggings so they don’t add a ton of bulk to my ankle.
When the US Figure Skating Championships were in San Jose I bought the tickets early only to find that Groupon sold tickets for half the price and seats that were WAY closer. Not sure if the same will be for 4CC since it's international but keep your eyes peeled
EDIT: THEYRE GOING FOR $19 ON GROUPON https://www.groupon.com/deals/gl-four-continents-figure-skating
Knee high stockings! I know buying tights/stockings isn't appealing to a lot of guys, but they never bunch up or rub, and they're cheap.
I bought this big pack from Amazon and they're fine, although the ones I bought in person at a store were a bit sturdier:
Hi, this could be similar to what your looking for https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.icediary&hl=en_NZ&gl=US it currently don’t currently have the feature you described which associates elements with each level. (It currently does have the complete list of elements). If this is a request you really want to see them go ahead and leave a review!
Disclaimer: I’m the developer!
This is probably the lowest I would recommend for a starter skate that you could get off amazon
Jackson is a brand you will find in any skate shop and does a good beginner boot. If you get into it and start to do anything more than casual skating around, I recommend going to a skate shop and spending around $250 on a pair of skates, but you would only need to worry about that if you started jumping.
I would recommend this one or something similar. https://www.amazon.com/Metal-Spinner-Ice-Skate-Training/dp/B004FXFGV6/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1544809732&sr=8-4-fkmr0&keywords=amazon+figure+skate+spinner
To spin fast and get a lot of revolutions on this you really have to be well balanced in your upper body and definitely over your spinning hip. It takes practice but after a couple weeks 15-30 min per day you would definitely see some progress.
Also works great for practicing twizzles too. I would spend many minutes just spinning in both directions on both legs. Gets your brain used to spinning.
Even though this spinner doesn't really simulate how it would feel spinning on a blade and finding that sweet spot, I think that this simple flat spinner works better and has better carryover to on-ice than the "traveling" spinners that are supposed to be similar to spinning on a blade. If you feel balanced and can get multiple rotations on this thing, that feeling will feel very similar on ice. Also works almost anywhere and you need less space to practice.
Lol, just replied to your other post on the subject.
Have you had your skates in your hard guards for a long time? Because you really shouldn't be leaving them in the hard guards unless you're traveling and they need the protection. For day to day carrying and/or storage (ex, your closet for the summer), you want to put them in soakers.
When you get off the ice, you should have a towel with you that you use to dry off your blades. However, since your blade is still really cold, water vapor in the air is likely to condense onto them. If left in hard guards, that condensation turns into beads of water that sit around on your skates. Standing water on metal can cause rust. But if you put your blades in soakers instead, the fabric will help absorb the condensation, keeping your blades rust-free (or at least substantially less rusty in the long-run).
If you do need to store your blades for any extended period of time, dry them completely and coat them in WD-40 first. There's no point doing that while you're skating all the time, but if you're going to store your skates for a while, it'll help.
I live in the UK and I bought the season pass a couple of years ago. I did not repurchase because the streaming quality was extremely bad, and I was only able to watch a few events after-the-fact (Sectionals and Nationals). Was using TunnelBear VPN at the time but don't recall whether that solved the issues, although probably not since I didn't renew!
These days I just save my money and wait for things to go up on YouTube.
So it seems the one I have is no longer available. It is a dance 360 wooden spinner. The company makes plastic ones that are similar, but I can’t speak to how good they are.
Here they are on amazon: dance 360 spin training board
If only my kitchen were as organized as yours... look at those uncluttered countertops 😁
Nice bag! I have been looking for one since Kiss & Cry Angels stopped making their totes. Thanks for making me aware of this. Amazon link for my fellow redditors.
I like your green and purple coordinating color scheme too.
If you're from the US, NBC has everything you're looking for (as long as you have cable).
If you're not from the US, I recommend using a VPN (I personally use Hotspot Shield which is a free chrome extension) and watching everything from CBC's website.
If you're in Europe, eurosport player should also have everything you need but it costs something like 6.99 euros a month.
IOC is enforcing copyrights really hard so pretty much all outside videos are gone as far as I know.
Be happy to. I've used Express VPN before with good results for the last Summer Olympics. But it's always good to go with VPNs the techs recommend, so I selected one off this list:
I bought PureVPN, which is by far the most expensive of the lot, but it does let you optimize your connection for streaming. I was able to connect to CBC in Canada and watch just fine. I thought the video quality was WAY better than Ice Network and also better than Express VPN. Good luck!
I pay for ExpressVPN, but have experience with NordVPN too. I find them both worth it. Recently also had my phone service provider hacked and it was a nightmare to get my account back, so I'm even more vigilant about using VPNs in public now, so I think it's well worth it to pay for one in general, not just for skating.
I had this exact problem with Jacksons. I was in Debuts, wide foot, narrow heel, heel constantly slipping up. I eventually got new boots, but for almost 6 months I used those little inserts they make to keep your heel from slipping up out of high heels. It absolutely worked like a charm.
I wore this leotard and this wrap skirt with over-the-boot tights!
I am not a skater, but I have painted some shoes/textiles for work and hobbies.
You want to 'strip the finish' first before you paint off with anything. I don't know what you originally used so maybe LIGHTLY sanding it with 300grit sandpaper will help you scratch the paint enough to take new paint. Then use a little bit of nail polish remover on some paper towel and rub it. It will help to strip the old stuff better to take New stuff. If you sand, make sure you don't sand off the actual leather of the boot, if you see white somewhere, stop.
At this point, your current brown finish might look a little bit like a mess. You can then use many different leather/vonyl paints. I have used the Brillo brand before on shoes and have had good results.
You will need at least 2 coats of any color to cover such a strong color you already have. Like others, I suggest going darker to make your life easier.
Any shoe that has been painted will never be able to go back to the original finish. So don't worry if you damage your original finish, because you ain't going back to it again. So as long as you don't damage the actual material it is made from then you will be OK.
Also don't forget to mask off the parts you don't want painted. I.e. bottom and sides of soles
My favorite figure skating accessories are my knee pads and my Tortoise Pads padded shorts! https://www.amazon.com/Tortoise-Pads-Impact-Protection-Density/dp/B07F5TBXTW
These are the insoles I have. My local skate shop sells them as well, so you could check yours or buy them on Amazon.
I had custom orthotics in my skates when I was competing as a kid. I considered getting another pair now, but I don't skate as much as I did back then, so I don't really want to spend the money on those at the moment. The Superfeet ones are much cheaper and work very well for me!
i have one of these guys—it's fine and dandy, and easy to toss over your shoulder, if rollyness isn't important. (plus it's not a bad price!) might be a little big for her skates, but there are lots of similar bags on amazon for around the same price!
I don't currently wear knee pads for skating but I used to play volleyball and wore them! Asics and Mizuno make low-profile ones that aren't a giant bubble on your knee. I wore these in high school.
Thanks for this thread! I was thinking the same thing, plus this is the first time I’m really invested in watching the Olympics and was frustrated to be missing some programs for skiing or whatever that was.
And yo! When he slipped those jumps I was so shook that I’m still shook
Mullvad is $5 a month and there is no membership enrollment necessary. I’d recommend that over the $13, plus idk how much VPN research you have done? Some are safer and more reliable than others
want crazy strong hair spray?
The brand is what I use for styling wigs. You want 8 in spikes, this is your product.
If you really have that much trouble with your hair, why not cut it super short then it just needs a brush and a bit of product to keep it from being frizzy?
Hair sewing is for buns and some braids to help hold them in place.
I recently got the ExpressVPN for my Ipad to watch events on the ISU channel as well and it’s been great so far. Peacock is failing big time with no longer showing replays. I’ve reached out to their customer service team on all social media platforms about this and all I’ve ever received was “we are sorry for this inconvenience”. Terrific. Thanks for nothing Peacock. So I say yeah get the VPN, I’ve bee able to catch up on the ISU YouTube channel on some of of the previous events I missed :-)
The easiest way is to invest in a VPN, so that you can access and watch the event replays on the ISU YouTube channel (the replays are geobkocked in the US). I use ExpressVPN which has worked well for me, but I know other people use Opera browser or NordVPN. Each person has their own preference, but once I would highly recommend investing in a VPN, as it’s the easiest way to access replays of the Grand-Prix series as well as of ISU championships.
The Opera browser has one built in and usually works for me. I also pay for NordVPN, but Opera is nice if you only want to use the VPN in one program and use your real connection for other applications. That might be a solution to the work computer issue.
u/reichya found this domo on japanese amazon if anyone wants one too, comes in normal and pink https://www.amazon.co.jp/573820-Domo-kun-S/dp/B007UYU6FS/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1668841498&refinements=p_n_feature_four_browse-bin%3A3427135051&s=toys&sr=1-1
they're only about ¥1500 on Amazon JP? Shipping might bring you down though.
https://www.amazon.com/Rollerblade-Protective-Guards-Skating-Protection/dp/B07XTZMTWS/ref=asc_df_B07XTZMTWS/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=416753154146&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2815384942036151463&hvpone=&hvptwo=&... I got these 2.5 years ago and they've held up really well and I was rollerblading on rough concrete for the first year. Since they're plastic, they do make me slide a bit across the ice when I fall which isn't always great but I feel like it definitely helps break the momentum of the fall! I sprained my wrist falling back in January and it took 4 weeks to get back to at least 90% function levels and I haven't been on the ice without the wrist pads since so don't be afraid to wear them! The knee pads definitely do make it a bit more difficult to straighten my leg for spirals and will probably get in the way of my leg coming down and around the other for a scratch spin, but they've helped so much! I don't wear the elbow pads because they're bulky with a jacket on, but I feel it's a pretty good price for how much use I've gotten out of the knee and wrist pads!
I fucking love my Riedell R-Fits. These insoles allowed me to try a bunch of different set ups with arch supports, heel height wedges, angled heel wedges, and they aren't too expensive. The link I provided was more than I paid for them but you can easily search around the internet for them. Honestly these were a life saver for my arches. I/my coach thought I had pronation issues but quickly realized with the angled heel wedges to correct that I actually just had a strength issue and wasn't holding myself up properly. Instead of spending twice the amount on a bunch of insoles I had figured out my needs with these one pair and they're holding up great after using them almost daily for a year. They are easy to trim to fit your skates perfectly. I can't recommend them enough for folks who are needing to tweek their needs.
No problem! I hear NordVPN is also good but it requires paying for a subscription - although I imagine that would get you a faster connection than a free VPN will. (I've had to use very low stream quality to watch competitions with the free Opera VPN because otherwise the stream will lag too much.) The VPN needs to be set to a country where nobody owns the TV rights for the competition - if you don't find the competition you're looking for on the ISU Youtube channel (upcoming competition livestreams can usually be found near the top of the "Videos" tab) try another location.
If you're not comfortable making an account, I use Mullvad VPN's Canada servers to watch ISU's channel on YouTube in USA. Works on my phone too. You get a unique identifier code and just pay, and you can even use mail in cash too if you're super concerned about privacy.
I got NordVPN today because my previous VPN subscription ran out, so now it feels like the GP season is actually starting!! Thanks for helping new people and the rest of the work you do on this sub :)
Ballet Spinner $13 on amazon.
I used one of these for about a year before buying an Edea E-spinner, and it worked pretty well.
Obviously its no where near as durable and has a slightly different spin point, but then again, I've yet to find a spinner that I didn't have to adjust to at least a little.
Does it feel like you're curling your toes to keep your foot from sliding forward? Or does the toe-box feel too high and there's extra vertical space in that area? If it's the former, then you should be lacing tight enough to hold your foot in place from the ball of the foot to the ankle, the toes can wiggle a bit but not slide forward. This is what my fitter and coach told me about this. If there's too much vertical space, you can try a cheap hack that helps: get one of those thin craft foam sheets (like these ones), trace your insole on the foam sheet from the toe to behind the ball area (i.e. the front part of the sole before the arch) and slide the foam piece under the insole in the boot.
they are reusable cloth pads that you wash, not dyed disposable ones
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So just mentioned above but I did get period panties---maybe you can give me feedback on this. The first two days of my period just do not hold up. The liner I found to be way too in order to prevent leakage and didn't absorb enough so the blood just pooled around. For the rest of the days though, it worked well, though. This is the kind I got .
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Had no idea about the cramps, that's cool. Maybe someone will see this and have better ones to recommend or maybe it's just unique to me
One side is probably going to be easier for everything than the other. However, it's worth some troubleshooting. Do you have any difficulty holding a one foot glide in a circle on the left outside edge? Just practicing and getting comfortable with that edge will help you with the crossover.
Do you have your own skates? Is it possible your left foot pronates making it harder to hold that outside edge? If you practice that outside edge and find yourself falling to the inside one, you can correct it by having the blade moved or adding a special insole.
If it's simply that your balance on the left side isn't great, you can get a mini bosu-ball type thing for $15 to work on your balance at home.
When I competed, this is what I used. It breaks down all you need to know and sets out schedules. An oldie but goldie. https://www.amazon.com/Conditioning-Figure-Skating-Ice-Performance/dp/157028220X
I also used the Sk8strong dvd series which also provides routines. Sk8strong also designs the off ice programs for the MJM Academy in Boston (where Gabby Izzo used to train) https://www.sk8strong.com/home.html
You can try Angelus leather paint. It comes in white and covers well. I've painted multiple shoes with it. Sneakerheads also use it. I have not used it on skates, but it does not peel or chip and does not stick out like tape would. It comes in Flat White or White, which is a slightly more satin finish. Angelus Direct
Amazon
You would also need the top coat based on the finish of your leather.
It can be bought directly from them, can sometimes be found on Amazon or at your local specialty art supply store (not Michael's or Joann).
I like the transpack bags a lot:
Transpack ICE Skate BackPack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079TQ9DWL/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_WJV0EQNCRZKXNXA73YQV
They're super durable and I've only had to change mine out usually every 4 or 5 years.
Zuca bags are another good option, but much pricier. I'll also sometimes use just a regular carry-on size rolling suitcase if I need to carry a few more things.
You’re welcome ! :)
I use the Toshiba canvio It’s not the fanciest and maybe not the fastest but it’s pretty solid. I have another I’ve been using for my computer backup, I’ve had it for many years and it still runs smoothly 👌🏽
If they fit correctly, then what is causing toe pain? Do you mean the footbed in the toe area is hurting? Or is it the walls of the skate hurting your toes? If it's the walls, that sounds like you need heatmolding. If it's the footbed, then try some superfeet insoles.
I have really bad arch pain in Edea unless I use arch supports underneath the footbed: https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Scholls-Stylish-Hidden-Support/dp/B01M7VGJNY/
This also causes some pain in the footbed area of the toes, if I don't have arch supports.
Try arch supports first. Then a full superfeet insole, before going to custom insoles or different skate brands.
This really shouldn't be about what you "like". This should be about what lets you skate pain-free. Try different brands if you can't get Edea to work.
This makes Peggy Fleming's win in Grenoble even more surprising. Older account that I read awhile ago: https://www.amazon.com/Frozen-Time-Enduring-Legacy-Skating/dp/157860334X/ref=sr\_1\_7?crid=2PI0FIK7IVWKM&keywords=frozen+in+time&qid=1645848125&sprefix=frozen+in%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-7
The book Inside Edge by Cristine Brennan was published in 1996 and goes into both the history of figure skating and the politics of the skating world in the early 90s.
What's really interesting in retrospect is that Tara Lipinski shows up as a junior skater who places second at the junior nationals in 1995, and already has an agent at the age of 13 who is hyping her up as the Next Big Thing. The other coaches and skating insiders are kind of side-eyeing all this hoopla, but of course he turned out to be right.
I’m not sure about the malware risk. I pay for my vpn.
If you’re looking for a discount, a fair number of YouTubers are sponsored by NordVPN or ExpressVPN; you can maybe get a discount code from their videos.
I just signed up for a month of Mullvad for $5 and it’s working with CBC’s feed for me on iPhone (currently I’m watching the feed in the minimized window while browsing Reddit). I found them mentioned in a couple of the monthly recommendation threads in the VPN subreddit, but I literally just signed up a few minutes ago.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0bknsqp/winter-olympics-mixed-doubles-curling-great-britain-v-australia Towards the end of this link (from c. the 2 hr 10 min mark)
They told me to purchase skates like these:
Jackson Ultima Finesse Women's/Girls Figure Ice Skates https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B06XX38X51/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_D52SABF19JW6AMS800ED?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Jackson Ultima SoftSkate Womens/Girls Figure Skate https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B06XPVYPBN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_BWQ2SH91AW4QJ72ZMQ4X
The above two show how the price would had been feasible, should my size of feet been smaller. I looked at the manufacture website and their intermediate to advanced were in sizes, but not beginner as I was told to purchase. They said when I would get to jumping is when to purchase a more expensive one, but I was already in the realm of expensive out of the gate with such large feet it left very little option to comply with their recommendations, without investing the advanced skates first basically.
I used Shazam to discover Boléro IV-New Breath-M.81 (Arr. Masaru Yokoyama;Instrumental) by Tomotaka Okamoto. https://www.shazam.com/track/461232849/boléro-iv-new-breath-m81-arr-masaru-yokoyamainstrumental
I agree with the tall leg warmer comment as well. They hide knee pads under your knees pretty well as a bonus! These are my go-to cheap leggings
Here is the Thai one, the most popular worldwide. https://www.amazon.com/Hong-Thai-Traditional-Herbal-Inhalant/dp/B00QZA193Q We’ve got the Russian version of it (since Soviet times) called Zvezdochka (Little Star).
All types of Edea boots have no arch support. Buy these and stick them underneath the foot pad inside the skate. https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Scholls-Stylish-Hidden-Support/dp/B01M7VGJNY Move them around until you find the right spot for your foot. This is what fixed me, otherwise my arches are in agony.
I've seen a lot of dresses on Etsy, Amazon, and other sites like aliexpress. It really depends on your price range, but if you want a cheaper dress that you can DIY a little bit, I recommend getting a dance dress (I've seen them run from 10-30 bucks) and add some rhinestones on yourself. If you're willing to splurge, Etsy has some really nice dresses and some custom dressmakers as well. Online shopping through Amazon and Aliexpress offer cheaper and expensive options. Although I find Amazon to be a bit more expensive.
Also, what dress you want to buy depends on what you actually need the dress for. If you're looking for a practice dress, you can get a dance dress or a cheaper dress from Amazon. Same with testing dresses. Those don't need to be too fancy and I've seen some on Amazon that are simple, pretty, and relatively cheap (https://www.amazon.com/ACSUSS-Womens-Lyrical-Dancewear-Skating/dp/B07MNYJDD3/ref=sr_1_11?crid=CS45XW1LPEEW&keywords=figure+skating+dresses&qid=1640837380&sprefix=figure+skating+dress%2Caps%2C438&sr=8-11 something like that). However, if you want something for a competition, I would try looking into a custom or more expensive dress that is of higher quality.
I don't know if your open to switching to wax laces or if Amazon delivers where you live, but if you are, I'd highly recommend buying a pair of Derby core wax laces (linked below) since they don't fray easily, are water resistant and most importantly, can hold a knot and won't loosen as you skate. Plus they have different colors as well as black and white if you'd prefer to go that route.
Derby Laces CORE Narrow 6mm Waxed Lace for Figure Skates, Roller Skates, Boots, and Regular Shoes https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07RF5VFQZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_P9H7SJ2X91SMPHP64XZ7?psc=1
A blanket/warm layers Check into the venue and see if they require clear bags for your belongings like this...we had to for Skate America
I think that is the same tape. https://www.amazon.com/Wrap-Foam-Tape-GMTW-One-Size/dp/B0051XP3X0
She runs a strip on the inside of the boot where the heel and tendon run up or wherever you need more thickness. It sticks pretty well to inside of boot. We have even used small callus sponges as well before.
The ISU youtube channel with a VPN of your choice(there are free ones) is a pretty good idea. I think ProtonVPN for example has a free one. https://protonvpn.com/free-vpn With the Netherlands proxy, it should work.
What you should NOT use is use P2P free VPNs like Hulu etc.
Ditto the suggestion for lace straps
https://www.amazon.com/Edea-Lace-Strap-Figure-Skates/dp/B01HT0J9DW?th=1&psc=1
Or leg warmers can be pulled over the top of your skates but shouldn’t get too close to the blades
I wear knee high nylons in my skates. You could fold them down over the hooks if you wanted.
Which one of the two Blacks?
Superfeet Unisex-Adult Black Premium Flexible Thin Insoles for Orthotic Support in Tight Shoes Dress and Athletic Footwear, 9.5-11 Men / 10.5-12 Women https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XY9NYW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_6FDY020QCC2K1GX271YG
Superfeet BLACK DMP, Sensitive Feet Low Arch Memory Foam Anti-Fatigue Orthotic Insoles, Unisex, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004WP56HG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_WPNVEM3EW4WNZNW35R64
You can get it on Amazon and a bunch of different online skating stores but also directly from their website. They go by boot size. You will need to convert the size of boots you have to what approx size Reidell offers. I thought it was fairly easy to trim to match my Jackson stock insole.
There’s a rocker on it, so you get a little closer to the feel of a skate.
Smooth floor is best. But one of those hard mats for rolling office chairs on low pile carpet works alright.
I have a knockoff skating spinner. Looks identical to the edea one, so it's definitely not a dancing spinner.
I've seen other similar ones on some Russian sites.
https://www.amazon.com/RushSlowly-Skating-Spinning-Turnboard-Practicing/dp/B07XJRW6PS/
It’s good you’re doing feet and ankle strengthening exercises and stretching, are you also rolling out your arches regularly? Be careful what you use for this (i.e. tennis balls are pretty ineffective with too much give, golf balls feel more useful but can be dangerous as they can shift/displace bones and lock up alignment since they have no give at all, make things worse in the long run... not worth it!) Foot rollers are ok, some better than others, but a ball like this is the safest/most effective I’ve used so far.
The tighter my calves and FHL get, (achilles too to a lesser extent) the more cramping I experience underfoot, and it always lessens when I’m actually diligent (not always the case lol) about stretching them out and massaging them often (that trigger point roller is great for rolling out these too).
On inserts, I’d definitely recommend giving them a try. The arch support makes a difference for me, especially on inside edge work since I otherwise tend to grip like mad with my big toe to “self-support” my own arch without them (bad, especially for that poor FHL) and I find the material helps lessen gripping tendencies. I use Superfeet’s carbon pro hockey insoles and trim them to size to replace my edea insoles and they’ve been great. Can’t speak for other brands though I’m sure there are more options, I’d give one a try :)
I didn't use a kit. The kits look quite nice but they were out of my price range, especially since I have never done this before and wasn't sure how well it'd work out!
I staked out the corners of the rink and used a string level to figure out the slope of the ground (my backyard isn't perfectly level). After that I bought a bunch of lumber and screws for the frame (used 10' long boards and attached them in the middle with a scab board to make a 20' side) and pounded in rebar on all 4 of the sides to support outward pressure from the water (I thought this might be overkill but the force of the ice expanding caused one of my corners to split apart, so now I'm glad for the rebar!). When it was time to fill I lined the rink with a 25'x25' white tarp, turned on the hose to fill it up, and waited for the ice to get thick enough.
I also made a "Zamboni" with a 5 gal bucket, bulkhead fitting, PVC, and part of an old towel. I fill it up with hot water, open up the ball valve, and wheel it around on the rink using a plant stand (like this). It's not perfect but it works surprisingly well and I loooove having smooth glossy ice, especially for figures!
The Inner Champion: A Mental Toughness Training Manual for Figure Skaters, Updated, Second Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/0966394968/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_lkdSFbVZWSBCA
This is a great book. There’s a Skating for the Love cd out there too that you should get if you can find it.
I tried Jerry's and they weren't padded enough at all :/. Definitely not worth $50 or however much they were.
Padding between the tailbone and sides is important, I've come to learn lol. I have a pair of Tortoise Pads, which look a lot like the Triple Eight (probably would've tried these first if I knew about them!) They come with 3 sets of removable padding of different thicknesses, so you can bulk up/down where you need to. They look like they'd be uncomfortable and hard to move in, but they're not!
https://www.amazon.com/Tortoise-Pads-Impact-Protection-Density/dp/B07F5TBXTW
I bought this one from another company on amazon at one point because I wanted to be able to just leave my skates in the mesh parts on the side so they air out. I like it because I don't want any of my other stuff touching my skates. Downsides: having to stuff the skates in the center when it rains. Not really a huge problem, but if you completely stuff the center full it could be an issue. I don't carry a ton of stuff with me--guards, soakers, small towel, wrist guards, hair ties, gloves. But I've been able to squish quite a bit in there when pressed.
If you're desperate and can't find a way to watch - quickly download ProtonVPN. You'll get a free trial, and can quickly access to official ISU stream that way. Someone else on this sub recommended it to me, and it's been a dream.
Well, I wanted a bag that was small enough (if you squish it) to stuff in a locker, so no Zuca or Transpak for me. I thought the Transpaks especially were huge. I have this bag and I think it's great.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F27W16P/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I like using resistance bands like these. You can do a bunch of different workouts with them. I like low impact workouts like yoga and pilates too.
Just eat a balanced diet. I'd recommend that regardless if you're doing a sport or not. Whole grain breads with fiber (I like Dave's Killer Bread and whole wheat bread from Trader Joe's), protein (fish, chicken, non-meat protein like peanut butter, and while I try not to eat too much red meat, I like Chomps beef jerky for a quick snack), some dairy like yogurt and cheese, and lots of leafy green vegetables and fruit. I will eat some sweets, but I try to eat ones made without excess processing. I just try to keep things in moderation, and keep portions for less nutritious things smaller. I never don't eat something if I think it looks really good or really feel like it that day.
Find a place to get fitted if you can, and don't just buy a skate because it is cheap if it isn't a good fit. You'll end up needing to replace it and spending more money.
These have become really popular in the last few years and I love mine: https://www.amazon.com/Transpack-Ice-Print-Design-Skating/dp/B015I49CZ6/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=Figure+skates+bag&qid=1602359194&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-4
I’m actually seeing more of these than Zuca at the rink! I never thought Zuca would die!
Alright thank you so much! I actually have this one right now - https://www.amazon.com/Jackson-Ultima-Bag-Skating-Roller/dp/B01M99I6JX - but it has only one small pocket, so i really don't have any room for anything and so I have to carry a seperate string bag, and I always forget to open the bag when I get home. 🤦🏻♀️Thank you so much for your response!😊
Sorry, I took a closer look at the tag on mine, and it was a different model (didn't realize they have a gazillion different knee pad models that look the same). Mine says T10-plus (link - looks like mine, maybe a bit longer) - I bought it at the store and it was labelled small, but on Amazon it's one-size I guess? The q&a says it fits 14" knee (my upper knees are 14" too, so is the top of my pads if that helps).
I got this one from Amazon and stoned it myself! Someday when I'm not a poor grad student I really want to get a dress from Brad Griffies. Del Arbour also has nice ones, but they're not taking orders right now because of how busy they are.
For off ice stuff, I'd recommend fabric fitness bands like these. There are a whole bunch of options on Amazon, but I bought those exact ones and so far they're working well.
For spins, work on improving your spin entrances. If you don't have a good entrance edge to start to the spin, trying to hold it longer is going to be very challenging. Your spinning position is important too, of course, but advice for that is going to vary from spin to spin.
For waltz jumps, you want to get the knee and foot of your free leg all the way through on the take off. This usually doesn't start to get stressed until people start working on axels, but it can be incorporated earlier. It will likely feel quite different at first, so I recommend trying it off ice first, and then on ice from a standstill or low speed. And make sure your arms are coming through with your free leg.
this is what I use underneath the edea inserts: https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Scholls-Stylish-Hidden-Support/dp/B01M7VGJNY/ref=lp_3780091_1_7_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1573400254&sr=1-7
I'm also a 5'5 guy; I skate in these. They're narrow enough that they've never caught my blades, but not so narrow as to be uncomfortably tight. The bands at the bottom stretch well enough to cover the ankle of my skates, but remain tight enough not to slip off up my leg during practice. All in all, I've been pretty happy with the purchase. (Different colors are different prices, for some reason--from 14 to 20 bucks, or so.)
Shirt-wise, I just use t-shirts. Not form-fitting, but not baggy enough to obscure body lines.
For explanations of edges, I wholeheartedly recommend this guy right here. Any edition is fine. He does also discuss a bit about jumps and spins, but fair warning: The book is old. As in, it was necessary for him to state that a "double loop" is a "jump in which the skater makes two revolutions in the air," and is not just a loop-loop combo.
That being said, I have found his explanations of jumps and spins interesting and occasionally helpful---it's just that some things you may want to read about literally didn't exist when he wrote the book. For edges, though, it's fantastic. He starts with how to push and what your body position should be over the edge, then moves through the entire collection of compulsory figures, explaining each and every one of them: 3 turns, brackets, loops, counters, rockers, etc.
I used to skate in random fleece ones before I got lucky and bought a great pair of Under Armour gloves on sale. (this model exactly, if you're curious) they're technically for running but they have a cool rubberized inside which is super convenient for falling, they're also waterproof and they have a fleece side on the thumbs which the UA site claims can be used for wiping your nose.... if you're into that. I haven't tried, lol.
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also? not gonna lie, having a little bit of under armour gear on me definitely makes me feel self-important and helps me channel my inner Yuzu lmao
For pants/leggings you cannot beat Ross/TJ Maxx. I usually find at least one or two pairs in my size for less than $20 each when I go.
I wear this $20 Hanes quarter zip pullover 80% of the time. It has thumb holes and it’s cut longer in the back to cover your butt a little. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L9JA9UG?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
I got some simple stretchy gloves at Target for 90 cents and leg warmers for $7 at JCPenney. (JCP has a ton of nice workout clothes believe it or not.) Now‘s a good time to pick up gloves and leg warmers since it’s spring.
This is what I use inside my Edea Ice Flys for my weak arches: https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Scholls-Stylish-Hidden-Support/dp/B01M7VGJNY/
When I was in Jackson skates, I didn't need any support at all. But these Jackson Freestyle skates were 12 years old, so I don't know how Jackson may have changed the design of their skates in recent years.
i had problems with my arches when i was a kid and had to wear special shoes that also had special padding in them. i thought it was because i had too flat of feet, but my mom says it was because i had really high arches... i'm not sure who's right, but i definitely need extra insoles in my skates.
i bought the yellow superfeet ones for my skates and found them to be too hard. i have just some basic dr. scholls half inserts in my skates now (edea chorus). in the past i have had these half inserts, plus extra gel pads (similar to these for my arches, but don't seem to need the gel pads now.
I bought this backpack on Amazon for school but have used it for skating occasionally, and my skates + towel + guards + clothes fit, with some more room for maybe some other stuff. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071CXTYBW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I also have a duffel/overnight bag that I primarily use which can hold like 4-5 days worth of clothes + hair products.
When I'm just running to the rink for a bit, I just use my backpack, but if I'm staying at the bf's house after, I use the duffel bag and put in a few days worth of clothes. I guess it depends how much you need to put in your bag :)
I've used SnoSeal on my skates for the last 20+ years. Super easy, all I need is a hair dryer. I seal my skates every 3-4 months when I have ice. I haven't noticed if there's a better time to seal skates or not. I know that people who use the enamel type seals can have trouble if the humidity is too high/low.
Do your skates come with any recommendations for sealant? Follow manufacturer's instructions.
Wipe the blades off immediately after skating and store them in soakers at all times: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000N82DU4/ref=twister_B000N839TS?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
The blades will start to rust very quickly if you're not careful to keep them bone-dry. Pay careful attention to where the blades screw into the bottom of the skate. You want to wipe the entire skate off until dry.
As soon as you get home, take your skates out of the bag and let them breath to dry out the insides.
It's also good to wear hard guards on your skates anytime you are not on the ice. Hard guards come in a million different color choices. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MBW4K6/ref=twister_B000MBUXEA?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 I put my hard guards on before I even put my skates on. Then I take them on and off as I enter and exit the ice. This will keep your blades sharper for longer and protect them from the tiny grit and dirt from the floor you walk on.
DO NOT store your skates in hard guards. They will definitely rust. Always store them in the soakers.
This is the best way to prolong the life of your skates and blades.
Also, get your skates sharpened when you start to have trouble staying on your edges. You don't want to sharpen them too soon, since that wears the blade down faster, but you do need them sharpened often enough that it doesn't affect your ability to skate well. Right after they've been sharpened, you will feel wobbly until you get used to it again.
Those skates will probably start to break down after you've used them for a year or so. Especially if you start doing freestyle classes. Jumps and spins exert much more force on the skates than just simple Basics classes. Your bodyweight will also play a role in how fast the skates break down. The heavier you are, the more stress the skates are under.