How to choose a skatemill

How to choose a skatemill

Brief list of parameters to compare

What should include a skatemill in order to avoid significant additional costs in the future

  • A system of foldable handles - for the possibility of shooting, passing stickhandling development while skating,
  • Puckplate for barrier-free passage of the skatemill to the surrounding area with artificial ice (development of passing, shooting, stickhandling),
  • Safety system of a skatemill for a fully safe training process,
  • An ergonomic solution for everyday work, so that the noise level does not exceed the norm,
  • What skills can be developed on a skatemill (skating technique, shooting, reaction, passing, stickhandling, endurance, etc.),
  • Integration with diagnostic and training applications and utilities (software and hardware),
  • Maintenance - skatemill service and warranty, operation support, helpdesk,
  • The possibility of functionality extension.

HST skatemill parameters      Advantages of using a skatemill      Have a questions?

What to look for when choosing from a variety of offers

The hockey skating treadmill is gradually becoming an integral part of the individual training of hockey players around the world. Many coaches include work on the skatemill also in the team training process, as well as in the setting and development of skating technique for beginner athletes. But how to choose a hockey treadmill and not miscalculate? There are many solutions on the market in a fairly wide price range and that’s when you should sharpen up.

First, you need to answer yourself the question - why am I going to buy a skatemill, what is the goal? In the vast majority of cases, the answer will be - to quickly and effectively improve players. This is a key point that you should be guided by when planning an area with a skating treadmill(s).

Once this is dealt with, let's look at the parameters of the skatemill itself. We recommend choosing a hockey treadmill by comparing the following specifications (here you can see the specifications of our professional HST A230 treadmill). 

Main components for comparison

  • Dimensions of the surface for skating and working with the puck (for comfortable implementation of various types of training and diagnostics),
  • The ability to move the puck from the skatemill to the surrounding synthetic ice without barriers (which will allow you to train passes, shots, and stickhandling)
  • Speed range (including the possibility of reversing and skating at high speed),
  • Noise level when working at maximum speeds (comfortable environment for trainers who will spend whole days in the area around the skatemill), 
  • Possibility of inclination of the surface, as well as the method of implementation of the inclination (is it possible to shoot/move the puck on the surrounding ice while the skatemill is inclined),
  • Possibilities of service of the skating treadmill, or how long will be the treadmill’s life, the possibility of being broken, and how often? It means how much money will you lose during downtime (how often do you need to service, is there an automatic lubrication system, online monitoring of parameters, support service for solving problems, guarantee, etc.).

 

How to choose treadmill

Which parameters will allow you to develop your skatemill?

biomechanics AI skating analytics

Knowing these parameters, you can make an objective choice in favor of one or another treadmill, based on technical data. But it is also necessary to understand that the combination of these parameters does not yet guarantee the achievement of the goal - the development of the player. Rather, it is only a prerequisite to achieving this goal with this device. So, you have a skating treadmill, but what to do with it in order to effectively and quickly improve the parameters of the players? Let’s consider these parameters and how to develop them on a skatemill:

  • Skating technique is a key parameter for the development on the skatemill. Does the area with the skatemill support diagnostics of skating technique? And knowing the current level, are there any systems that help in eliminating its shortcomings?
  • Individual hockey skills – dribbling, stickhandling, passing, and shooting (also from continuous skating). Are there systems in the zone for developing the accuracy of shots, reaction speed, and peripheral vision of the player?
  • Special preparation of the player - is it possible to assess the level of physical fitness of the player on the skatemill, for example, before the season? Is it possible to work on increasing strength, power, and physical condition?

Coaches' perspective

Having answered these questions, we should not forget about the coaches. Does the hockey treadmill support a system of visual feedback, for a faster and clearer explanation by the coach to the player? Is there a database of categorized exercises for compiling training cycles? Are there ready-made training templates?

If you add up all of the above components, then you will get a suitable environment for the effective development and improvement of players. Thus, you will have all the necessary components to achieve your goal - the rapid individual targeted development of a hockey player on a skating treadmill. In addition, having this data on skatemills on the market will significantly narrow your choice, since many devices on the market do not meet the high requirements of modern hockey training. Although if you have any questions or need a bit of advice with choosing the right training solution - do not hesitate to ask us.

More information about skatemill      Contact us