After 2 Years Is Sense Arena Still Worth It | Long Term Review

[@greasy2250]

I’d totally use this if it were cheaper. I’m not going to stand around in just my glove and blocker and walk around my room instead of t-pushing on real ice. I’d only use it for glove and blocker reaction improvement, but the price would have to be divided tenfold for a fair deal

[@goalietraining]

It definitely depends on the perceived value, everyone has to decide for themselves. Totally cool that it isn't for you at this time.

[@malto7924]

Been using sense arena over 2 years now. Ordered in January 2021 after seeing Maria's review. I am a 56 year old beer leaguer, that started playing net over 25 years ago. I've never had a chance to be coached or really to practice. When I got SenseArena I hadn't been on the ice in a year due to an injury (detached quad tendon) and the pandemic. I used it for another 4-6 months before I could get back on the ice. When I started, I was completely overmatched, was using the Junior level and had to work my way up. In a couple of months I was able to work up to pro drills on medium and hard level. I usually work out in my basement, in sneakers, no pads. I've used the controller sleeves (what you use to attache the controllers to your gloves) a lot, but been just using the controllers recently. I would love to try on synthetic ice or real ice to work on real movements and be able to work in saves from my knees, but don't have a good space to set this up. When I got back on the ice, I had a few awkward skates, but soon after that started playing the best hockey of my life. My hands were in better position, quicker to react, and more consistent making saves. My puck tracking is better so I give up fewer rebounds and follow them better. I have typically been a C-D level goalie, and played in a few B level games, but knew I was over my head. Now I feel pretty confident playing in B level games and think I can hold my own. I think SenseArena has been the biggest part of that. I know it's expensive and not everyone can afford it, but it's been great for me. I love their training plans because they give you a good structured workout and make it easy to do a bunch of drills in a row. I hate the interface (well, dislike...). it takes 2x as long to do drills manually. I would love if they let you create your own routines or a playlist of drills you could work through. Their customer service has always been helpful and quick to respond. I had the same experience as Maria, I think SenseArena feels a lot like being on the ice...shots that beat me in SenseArena are the shots that beat me on the ice. When I am keeping up and sharp with SenseArena, I am also sharp on the ice. You may have a different experience, but I do not agree with the person who thought this was a toy...one note, you do have to adjust your grip to use the controllers, not just hold them like you normally would. I had a friend who had his son try SenseArena after I raved about it and he had some trouble until he figured it out.

[@goalietraining]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience in great detail. It is so helpful for other goalies who may be considering SA. I think it is so hard to comprehend until you actually try it and I feel like that is probably the primary reason some folks discount it as a toy or no worth the investment. I agree with you that it is not in everyone's budget, but it does help us stop more pucks on the ice. I also agree that creating our own playlists of drills would be a really great feature - good idea! So glad you are back on the ice and feeling great! Keep it going!

[@nik_hffmnn]

This is a fantastic personal review that I highly appreciate. I am now convinced this is the right next step for my beer league training. Thank you very much!

[@malto7924]

@@nik_hffmnn Thanks Nik. I'm glad my comments were helpful. if you have a Quest, I think it's definitely worth trying it for a month. you'll have 10 days to decide if you want to keep going, then pay by the month. at that point you can decide to stop, or upgrade to the annual plan (which is cheaper). definitely the best way to decide if it will help your game.

[@scottsteele5630]

Hey Maria, I just got Sense Arena last week and I'm loving it. Glad to hear that you still find it worth it and that Sense Arena has been adding features over the years. I immediately found that I was not coming out of my crease enough and that I was holding my hands to my side instead of in front of me. As soon as I started making those small adjustments, I started stopping allot more on and off the rink. Concerning the cost, it is a bit of a beast with the start up cost of the Meta Quest 2 is roughly $399 US + the Sense Arena subscription. I recommend a 3rd party head strap/battery pack to assist with distributing the weight of the headset on your head instead of hanging off your face. I wish they would offer a pro plan for individuals, maybe $39 a month? Keep up the great work!

[@goalietraining]

So glad you are loving it! And thank you for sharing your experience so far. I love the suggestion to try the different head strap/battery pack for the balance aspect - I really like that. Fun when you can practice something with SA and then feel the benefits on the ice isn't it? Keep it up!

[@MrDingleberry31]

Just got it today. Thanks for the great review. Looking forward to working with this

[@goalietraining]

Amazing - let me know how you like it. They've made it even BETTER since this review.

[@mossey3535]

Absolutely love it but their website is just too hard to order off of. First year I split the cost with a goalie who had the family plan. Second year I paid myself but there was no way to renew a subscription, and in fact there was no way to get a subscription without buying the sleeves....hopefully this next season they improve it.

[@goalietraining]

I've found their customer support pretty helpful when I've needed it, you could try that if you wanted to.

[@booman3138]

I ordered Sense Arena. I'm just waiting for it to arrive

[@goalietraining]

Oh wow - so excited for you! You are going to LOVE it!

[@booman3138]

@goalietraining thanks I can't wait

[@booman3138]

@@goalietraining do you remember how long shipping took?

[@goalietraining504]

I don't, I got mine when it was pretty much brand new, so I am assuming their shipping systems have improved since then. @@booman3138

[@duckattak]

Do you need WiFi to play this after buying the program? I’m in the army and travel a lot and was going to get the VR headset and the sense arena to have fun while gone. Never owned a VR set so I don’t know if they’re able to be taken anywhere. I have seen other videos on sense arena but they’re always in a facility or home and the website doesn’t mention a constant connection or not. But if I need to have a constant WiFi then I probably shouldn’t get this

[@goalietraining]

You am pretty sure you need a wifi connection - but I would double check with the folks at Sense Arena - not sure if you can play off stored memory on the headset or not.

[@bendytendy1052]

I am trying get a better blocker and glove should I throw a racquetball ball off the wall to improve those 2 thing

[@goalietraining]

You could for sure - a racquetball will come off the wall quicker and because it is lighter, I find it takes a bit more 'touch' to keep it in your glove. I like the weight of the lacrosse ball and you can get it coming in fast too - - but if you miss it, then you might be in trouble :) If you do use a racquetball, just be aware that it MIGHT mark up your wall.

[@ari4599]

i wouldn’t get score on the same way because i can’t drop and i can’t come out as far as i usually do

[@Charlie-iz8xp]

Hi Maria! what do you think about jumping rope? Can it be useful for a goaile? I've heard that if we do jumping rope for 5-10 minutes before training, it can improve us a lot. What do you think about this?

[@goalietraining]

I think saying jumping rope for 5-10 minutes will improve you a lot is a stretch. It depends what you outcome you are trying to impact. Overall cardio fitness? then not the best option. Speed? not the best option. Are you trying to work on tissue stiffness? Then there is some value for sure. But if you are trying to improve your cardio, speed, quickness, etc as a goalie, there are a lot of better options. If it is that or nothing, then something is better than nothing.

[@Charlie-iz8xp]

Thank you very much,jumping rope is only a part of my warm up. So nothing special cardio with it or something like that.

[@goalietraining]

@@Charlie-iz8xp I think it is totally fine to do a couple minutes for warm up - not 5-10 minutes, but a few minutes is fine. Have a great weekend Charlie.

[@XxFoxyxX25]

Hey ! Is someone know if i take de monthly plan at 49$/monthy will I be able to unsubcribe after one month or I will be charge monthly for one year ? I do not talk about the annual at 29$/month, really the monthly ! Thx !

[@goalietraining]

I would assume if you are on a MONTHLY plan then you could cancel - but I would double check with Sense Arena first, just to make sure.

[@XxFoxyxX25]

Thank ! I assume that to, but I did’nt found the information on their website ! I’am trying to contact them ! By the way thanks for this video !!

[@goalietraining]

@@XxFoxyxX25 Yeah, checking with them will be the best option for sure. Good luck with it.

[@christopherbean3413]

Never mind. Question answered.😊

[@goalietraining]

Glad to hear it!

[@blainebennett]

Short Answer: it's a toy and I regret buying the whole kit and annual membership just a couple months before the trial and cheaper plans came out. If you can get all the real ice you want or need, don't waste your money.

[@goalietraining]

It does make a difference if you have all the access to ice that you want - with quality shooters. If you have that along with time to practice your specific needs, then absolutely that is the BEST! Thanks for sharing your feedback.

[@christopherbean3413]

What’s the start up cost?

[@goalietraining]

Hey Chris - there are month-to-month options and annual options, it depends on whether or not you need an Oculus or want the sleeves, etc. If you go here, you can get all the info you need - hockey.sensearena.com/store

[@johnliszka6751]

AR is actually Augmented reality, not actual reality. =P

[@goalietraining]

Correct - that would be LR - literal reality ;)