Skier's Edge

[Jerzy Pawlowski]

Can anyone share their experiences with using the Skier's Edge
exercise machine? How good is it at actually improving skiing
technique? How well does it condition?

Thank you,
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I'm veklempt, talk amongst yourselves...

Jerzy Pawlowski (j...@panix.com)

[Bjshultz]

I got the video sales promo. They'll send you one at 800-225-9669. Video
just shows how the machine works and how happy everyone is that they got
one! If you've seen the picture in the mag ads you know how it works:
you hop from side to side, there is an arc on which the foot platform
rides from side to side, hold on to poles like ski poles (though there
isn't any planting). I think the price is $650 for the skier model. they
have to other modes which are variations on the skier. One is a general
purpose model with a bar that runs in front of the machine to hold on to
(rather than the two poles) and the other (the black diamond?) is the
skier with only room for one leg/foot at a time. It uses rubber bands for
resistance which have to be replaced periodically based on use and are
fairly expensive. I think it was $60/yr. average. Details from the 800#.

[Karen Marie Bowen]

Another alternative to the Skier's Edge is the Fitter. It provides the same
motion plus other alternative exercises. I have seen them used extensively in
physical therapy and sports medicine clinics for rehabilitation following
knee injuries. You may want to check out their web site:

http://www.ipworld.com/market/fitness/fitter/homepage.htm

karen marie bowen

P.S. I have no affiliation with the company. Just forwarding this on for
your interest.

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Karen Marie Bowen
Internet: bow...@ucs.orst.edu

[Mike Skinner]

There is a similar alpine ski excercise device made by Life Force and sold either
directly by Life Force or through one of the mailorder gadget catalogs (Dak,
Damark, or Comb) which sells for much, much less (about $80-100). Life
Force is located in Phoenix or Tucson, I believe, and has their own
catalog. However, note that the machine doesn't frequently appear in the
catalogs mentioned (not even Life Force's catalog), but is usually available
if you ask about it. I ordered one 3 or 4 years ago from Damark (I think)
and have used it ever since with no problem. Although the Life Force
machine isn't as elaborately engineered as the Skiers Edge or the Fitter
machines, it will replicate 85-90% of the excercise functionality of those
machines for far less cost. In particular, the platform on which you stand is
not as elaborate
as either of the two alternatives discussed here, and the three or four rubber
band 'bungee' cords used in the mechanism need replaced each year, as they
gradually lose their tension. The Life Force machine has a bar to hold onto
rather than poles, but it doesn't get in the way if you wish to use poles instead.

Probably most recreational skiers, like me, either cannot afford the more
elaborate machines or refuse to fork out $350-650 for a single purpose
specialty excercise machine of any type.