Frequently Asked Questions
What sort of equipment do we need to bring to our skating sessions?
The only required equipment for treadmill training is a pair of skates, comfortable athleticwear (shorts and a tee-shirt) and a water bottle. After the first few sessions, players are encouraged to bring a stick if they would like to work on stick handling.
Is skating on the treadmill safe?
With the use of our gantry and harness systems, skaters have no risk of falling on the treadmill, making training very safe for athletes of all ages. When a player falls, the harness will catch them before their knee will touch the ground. All skaters are properly instructed on how to get on and off the treadmill in their first sessions using the safety bar and trainers make sure they are confident enough to do so before moving on the more complex drills.
How is skating on the treadmill different than skating on the ice?
There are a few differences between skating on ice and skating on the treadmill. The treadmill allows for continuous striding in a straight line while working on things like crossovers, edgework, stick-handling and even backwards skating but does not allow for players to stop or glide as they would on the ice.
Players can sometimes find the first few skates challenging because the set speed and straight line skating the treadmill but will quickly find the benefits of it as helps correct imbalances and help build a stronger stride. Skaters will also be able to skate on an incline which helps build power and speed.
Will the treadmill damage my skates?
The treadmill surface mimics ice in a lot of ways and it is similar in the way that skate blades will wear during a session. A one hour session on the treadmill will dull a skate blade similarly to an hour on the ice. The treadmill does however leave a residue on the skates which can easily be wiped off with paper towel which will be provided at the end of every session.