It is extremely important for skaters to develop a good off-ice training schedule because everything they learn off-ice will help to enhance skating skills and performance and reduce and/or prevent skating related injuries.

The main things they should be working on are: good core body strength, balance, flexibility, stamina and artistic expression.

Ballet is recommended as it mimics the artistry and athleticism of what we teach in figure skating. Beginners should have at least one ballet class per week.

Ballroom is beneficial to help with body posture and hand expressions and skaters can transfer what they learn in those classes to ice especially if their routine involves any of the ballroom dances. Benefits of off- ice dancing include increased coordination, balance, awareness of musicality, artistic expression, flexibility and concentration. 

Personal training and working out in gym is also a very important aspect of skater’s development – specifically working on strength training (core/lower/upper body) and conditioning. It is imperative that skaters are in the gym at least once a week for beginner skaters.

Off-ice jumping practice is very beneficial for learning jump rotations ahead of trying them on ice. It enables skaters to cope better when the time comes for those multiple rotation jumps on ice. The skaters will be thought to learn to differentiate between each quarter/half/one turn up to multiples so there is little confusion about where you are in space.