My problem is the opposite-my teacher says I have a great entry into my spns, but that I wobble too much while I'm spinning-I end up leaning too far forward or just not holding myself right. I'm hoping a spinner will help me with my spinning position, but I'm still not sure which one to get. I was thinking about getting one of the ones from the Rainbo Sports website, but can't afford to go off half-cocked. I was hoping someone here could point out which of the three listed would be the best to start with.

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deannathegeek
"It's like trying to do a toe loop in hockey skates-you have to have the right tools for the job."

I agree that spinning is not that difficult. Although, to get a long, fast, and centered spin is not always easy for people that are learning this. A spinner can potentially help someone work out their body positioning and posture during a spin. But, a potential problem with a spinner is that it spins on its own axis, and so it could be a bit hard to simulate getting the virtual skate sweet spot on that axis. But at the same time, a real spin begins with the skate describing circles before it homes in on smaller and smaller circles. But if you can get into a spin on a spinner, it can still help in some ways.

Like I suggested earlier, be sure to buy one in the store, not mail order. You want one that spins smoothly, effortlessly and evenly, with or without your weight on it. The majority of units sold by the major brand have bad bearings, with a lot of friction, or points where they tend to stop. Some won't spin without a lot of weight on them, a sign of a very poorly made bearing. (The instructions say you need weight, trying to make you think bad bearings are OK).

The latest model, the circular one, looks like it just may be slightly easier to maintain then the earlier square one, because there may be a way to take it apart and clean and grease the bearings. (Neither one has sealed bearings, so they will get dirty rather quickly. Bad design for something that rests on the floor, near dust.) With the square one, you will have to work on it indirectly.

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Here are suggestions for maintenance, assuming you can't take it apart, after the bearings get dirty and have trouble turning, based on advice from mechanics, but not on personal experience:

1. Use an automotive brake cleaner that says "leaves no residue", and that has a little straw like thing, so you can reach the bearings. (Some people use WD-40, or other light oil, but it leaves a residue that may cause bearings to slip instead of spin.) In a very well ventilated place (outdoors?), spray it on the bearings till the grease and dirt are gone. It may help to try to press a clean cloth against the little metal balls to scrape off the gunk, and re-spray. Let dry a few hours.

2. Use an automotive grease with that same type of straw (preferably white lithium grease, but use what you can find), spray some grease onto the bearings, and spin it a while to spread the grease. Repeat, if you don't see much grease.

3. Keep the unit sealed in a clean food container or zip lock bag when not in use, to reduce dust.

Hope you enjoy being dizzy.

I've always found them helpful for turns. I must see if I can find mine, and get it out to work on my rocker/bracket combination and also on my back 3s. Which are more like back 2 1/2s right now, but might improve. One day.

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Mrs Redboots
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