The Skier's Edge Experiment - Let's see if Grassi21 can catch up to the pack?

[Grassi21]

I finally did it. My wife gave me the nod to purchase The Skier's Edge. I'm calling it an early X-Mas/Early 30th B-Day present. I ordered the Big Mountain Series with the adjustable RPM platform. The order was placed today and the expected delivery date is 12/26.

I have always been curious about this machine and there have been a number of threads on this topic. My goal is to create a log of my experiences and progress with this machine. And if no one reads this thread it will be my little journal to keep tabs on my progress.

I see guys like JimG, HPD, Greg, River and the rest of the crew ripping up the mountain and I want to get there. This is going to be my way to bridge the gap and get the most out of this sport that I have fallen for. I am a realist and know that this machine won't be a magic "heal-all." But the conditioning and muscle memory will make my practice on the snow much more effective.

I'll make my substantial post once the machine arrives.

 

[andyzee]

I told my wife about your purchase, her response, "Where's he live?"

 

[Grassi21]

I told my wife about your purchase, her response, "Where's he live?"

We live just around the corner from the extremely challenging and treacherous Woodbury SKi Area.

 

[skidbump]

Yes right buy the giagantic retirement condo village...we know where u r

 

[Grassi21]

Yes right buy the giagantic retirement condo village...we know where u r

Southbury has three things, farms, large new constructions, and retirement condos. I have to drive past the highest concentration of condos and man is it frustrating.

 

[JimG.]

Chris is hooked.

Love it when I see someone relatively new to the sport falling head over heels.

Go for it.

 

[Greg]

Chris is hooked.

Totally. It is cool to see someone just starting out as enthusiastic as him. Because of that you will likely progress quickly. Keep at it, Chris!

Re: Skier's Edge. I'd like to get something that mimics A&E in the bumps. They have one called the Powder/Mogul Master which is "tailored specifically for those who ski, or want to learn to ski, long deep powder runs and steep bump runs with confidence and control." Not sure how something can replicate the motion of "long deep powder runs" and "steep bump runs" all in the same machine. Maybe replicating the motion is not the goal? Anyone have this version? Comments?

 

[ctenidae]

I'm like to get something that mimics A&E in the bumps

I think jumping up and down on a picnic table does that, too.

 

[Grassi21]

Totally. It is cool to see someone just starting out as enthusiastic as him. Because of that you will likely progress quickly. Keep at it, Chris!

Re: Skier's Edge. I'd like to get something that mimics A&E in the bumps. They have one called the Powder/Mogul Master which is "tailored specifically for those who ski, or want to learn to ski, long deep powder runs and steep bump runs with confidence and control." Not sure how something can replicate the motion of "long deep powder runs" and "steep bump runs" all in the same machine. Maybe replicating the motion is not the goal? Anyone have this version? Comments?

The powder/mogul master is one platform. It has a really narrow stance. I went with the RPM platform which adjusts to 8 different stance positions. The RPM is a quick change platform that removes the need to have different platforms for steeps, bumps, etc. I'm really interested to see how well this training translates to the real slopes.

 

[Greg]

I'm really interested to see how well this training translates to the real slopes.

I haven't used one, but like most things, I'd imagine there's no substitute for the real thing. So get out on the snow as much as possible - it's all about the miles! However, with that said, I imagine these are good for a fun cardio workout and probably does help increase your turn speed.

 

[persee]

As I have posted before, at the urging of my husband we got an "all mountain master" version Skier Edge the summer after my first season skiing. I was determined to try to catch up to him in my skiing ability, if not speed - he's 6'4 and skis on 177s, where I'm 5'4 and ski on 153s so there's gonna be a difference regardless.

I started training on the Skiers Edge at the highest resistance that made sense (the highest suggested for my "weight range"), roughly 15-20 minutes 4-5 times a week last fall. I believe it made a huge difference in my progression as a skier. I moved from skidding/fighting (on steeper trails) down blues to actually doing more carving very quickly. I think it also caused me to out grow my first set of skis much more quickly as I had the muscle tone/memory to ski harder than these skis were meant for.

It is a great aerobic workout too, but if you're just looking to get the "right" muscles toned, and trained it really did help me. As I've mentioned in the past I was a dancer for many years so the proper posture for skiing was not natural to me in any way - dancers are taught to stand up straight and tuck the butt under! This machine broke me of the bad instincts and taugh me the proper feel for putting my edges in to carve. Also upped my endurance.

So I say good luck and expect it to help. It won't do *everything* and it certainly won't overcome any mental obstacles (ie - OMG that is really steep I'm gonna slide down it on my a*s!) but it will do what one could expect.

 

[Grassi21]

As I have posted before, at the urging of my husband we got an "all mountain master" version Skier Edge the summer after my first season skiing. I was determined to try to catch up to him in my skiing ability, if not speed - he's 6'4 and skis on 177s, where I'm 5'4 and ski on 153s so there's gonna be a difference regardless.

I started training on the Skiers Edge at the highest resistance that made sense (the highest suggested for my "weight range"), roughly 15-20 minutes 4-5 times a week last fall. I believe it made a huge difference in my progression as a skier. I moved from skidding/fighting (on steeper trails) down blues to actually doing more carving very quickly. I think it also caused me to out grow my first set of skis much more quickly as I had the muscle tone/memory to ski harder than these skis were meant for.

It is a great aerobic workout too, but if you're just looking to get the "right" muscles toned, and trained it really did help me. As I've mentioned in the past I was a dancer for many years so the proper posture for skiing was not natural to me in any way - dancers are taught to stand up straight and tuck the butt under! This machine broke me of the bad instincts and taugh me the proper feel for putting my edges in to carve. Also upped my endurance.

So I say good luck and expect it to help. It won't do *everything* and it certainly won't overcome any mental obstacles (ie - OMG that is really steep I'm gonna slide down it on my a*s!) but it will do what one could expect.

Thanks for the encouragement and sharing your experience. For me, getting comfortable with the steepest of steep trails will only happen on real snow. But they did throw in the Slope Simulator for free...

 

[Grassi21]

Day 1 - Santa came a day late and was wearing brown not red...h

My Skier's Edge (SE) arrived today around 1:30 PM. I busted the boxes open around 3:30. The SE machine and the RPM Platform came in their own boxes. There wasn't much involved in the set-up of the machine. I read the manual carefully (something I never usually do) and had the SE together in about an hour. The instructions and pictures made it a breeze to set-up.

Day 1
Date 12/26/2006
Weight 203
Platform RPM
Setting 4
Resistance 7
Minutes 10

After just 10 minutes I can see how this machine can make a difference. After getting accustomed to the tension in the bands and the platform I started to get a little groove going. I was able to really start cranking some terms but would have to slow down when I lost my balance or felt a some burning in my legs. Funny thing, the same thing happens when I'm on snow... I didn't strap the heart rate monitor for this little test run. But very quickly I noticed an increase in heart rate and realized how poor my conditioning must be at this point.

Before I the thought of buying the SE came to mind I had an idea of were my technique was lacking. My upper body is a mess, way to much movement. After the initial raised hand position I find myself dropping my hands after either few turns, loosing balance, or getting into a tough spot. At points I'm able to link a few decent turns but as the legs start to burn my form gets sloppy and its all down hill from there. I was actually happy to see that the same problems surfaced in just minutes on the SE. If I can replicate my problem areas on the snow at home on my SE I should be able to work towards eliminating these problems.

I'll try to update this thread once a week. Even if its just little old me keeping a log. As the season progresses I hope that some of you locals can chime in and give me some feedback on my technique. I love hearing your feedback and value you input and help in documenting my progress on the hill.

Till next time...

 

[Charlie Schuessler]

I've been using a Skier's Edge for a number of years now. The machine uses a roller deck held in place by rubber bands which the create the travel span, it's up to you to push the deck and stretch the bands. Normally I go through 2-3 settings for a 20-minute workout. I start off easy with the deck sliding easily across the assembly, then set it up "tighter" to increase tension and if I want to work on bumps I add a second set of band stops which tightens the travel causing "quick" steps. I believe the newer machines have a higher curve which can simulate bumps better. By setting the bands accordingly, I know you can complete a good cardio workout and work the right muscles to make improvements on the slopes. ENJOY IT!

 

[Grassi21]

I've been using a Skier's Edge for a number of years now. The machine uses a roller deck held in place by rubber bands which the create the travel span, it's up to you to push the deck and stretch the bands. Normally I go through 2-3 settings for a 20-minute workout. I start off easy with the deck sliding easily across the assembly, then set it up "tighter" to increase tension and if I want to work on bumps I add a second set of band stops which tightens the travel causing "quick" steps. I believe the newer machines have a higher curve which can simulate bumps better. By setting the bands accordingly, I know you can complete a good cardio workout and work the right muscles to make improvements on the slopes. ENJOY IT!

I went with the Big Mountain. The height of the curve is noticeably different than the classic.

After this mornings work out the rhythm is starting to feel more natural. I also noticed the difference between just doing it and trying to create the turns at the waist with a quiet upper body. The feeling is very different.

 

[drjeff]

When you really get the balance issue figured out, the way to take it to the next level balance wise is #1) get rid of the training bar and use the poles and then #2) keep your fore-arms pointed straight out with your elbows bent at a 90 degree angle, palms up. Then rest the poles across your fore-arms parallel to the floor (i.e. the poles aren't touching the ground and are just balancing on across your fore-arms). If you can do that, then you'll really got your body centered and are using your legs in the motion you want to on snow.

I've had my big-mountain RPM for just over a year now and love the machine, I can't say enough good things about it, and while dry land training excercise will 100% completely work every ski realted muscle, the skiers edge comes real close, and it does give you one real solid cardio work out also!

 

[koreshot]

My God... there seems to be quite a cult following for the Skier's Edge thingies. I have seen a few ads in ski related magazines and kinda dismissed them. I had no idea they were so useful and popular.

 

[Grassi21]

When you really get the balance issue figured out, the way to take it to the next level balance wise is #1) get rid of the training bar and use the poles and then #2) keep your fore-arms pointed straight out with your elbows bent at a 90 degree angle, palms up. Then rest the poles across your fore-arms parallel to the floor (i.e. the poles aren't touching the ground and are just balancing on across your fore-arms). If you can do that, then you'll really got your body centered and are using your legs in the motion you want to on snow.

I've had my big-mountain RPM for just over a year now and love the machine, I can't say enough good things about it, and while dry land training excercise will 100% completely work every ski realted muscle, the skiers edge comes real close, and it does give you one real solid cardio work out also!

Thanks for the tips. I don't have the balance bar, just the poles. Exercise #2 makes a lot of sense and should be a challenge.

 

[Grassi21]

My God... there seems to be quite a cult following for the Skier's Edge thingies. I have seen a few ads in ski related magazines and kinda dismissed them. I had no idea they were so useful and popular.

There have been a few threads asking about the machine and its effectiveness. I thought I'd log my progress so people can get a better idea of the ins and outs of the machine as one progresses.

 

[Grassi21]

After 4 straight days of 10 minute workouts on the Skier's Edge I was forced to take 3 days off. I had a nice little crash on 12/29/2006. I tweaked my knee a bit and didn't want to make it worse.

I got back on the Edge this morning. My knee felt much better yesterday but the killer hang over I was nursing kept me off the machine. I feel slightly more conditioned. I was able to do 15 minutes without having to stop every 3 or 4 minutes to adjust my feet position. My rhythm on the machine is improving as well.

Was I able to transition anything from my first 4 workouts to the snow? Yes. I found that I am able to link a greater number of decent turns. But more importantly I was tipping my boots more and really getting my skis on edge. At first it felt scary but I quickly became comfortable with moving from edge to edge. It is a very cool feeling.

Day 8
Date 1/2/2007
Weight 204*
Platform RPM
Setting 5
Resistance 7
Minutes 15

*Yes, I did gain a pound. But considering the fact that this was the week between X-Mas and New Years I consider myself lucky for only gaining 1 pound.