Improve Your Sit Spins with Ankle Mobility Exercises!

Hello Skaters! Today I am sharing three off-ice exercises you can do to help you get lower in your sit spins. We often think about the strength we need for this spin, but mobility is just as important. I hope you all enjoy these exercises, let me know if you would like to see more videos like this!
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Coach Julia has been skating (first on roller and then on ice) for over 30 years. She was a competitive skater until she turned 21 when she got her first contract as a professional show skater. Julia has been a figure skating coach for 17 years, is a USFS Gold Medalist in Moves in the Field, and an ISI Gold Level certified judge. She has held positions as the Skating Director of the largest skating program in the United States, as well as Head Coach at two different skating clubs. Julia has now turned her skills towards a larger audience and is bringing her love and knowledge of skating to all of you!

[@jessiharm528]

This is very helpful and addresses one of my current struggles. I would also love a video of hip mobility for ina bauers and other moves.

[@lindagould5196]

As always great information Thanks 😊

[@CoachJulia]

Glad you think so!

[@zoebateman7301]

Wow this is amazing as always. Thank you so much for all of your incredible content ❤

[@FigureSk8ingGirl]

So helpful! Would love a little more guidance on my sit spin - do you plan to do a tutorial for sit spins?

[@jaymiewilmot]

I agree, a full sit spin tutorial would be great!!

[@brysoncarr5633]

Your the reason why I’m skating ❤

[@CoachJulia]

Awe, that is so sweet.

[@KANALYRAN22]

Thanks for posting! I have a friend that trying to get her sit spin lower. Im still on my one-foot spin but my ankles could use more mobility. 😊

[@CoachJulia]

I hope you friend can use these tips! Keep them in mind for yourself, for the future. 🙂

[@davidbigelow8684]

I don't know how I missed this video when it was first posted, but these exercises look great. Have always struggled with ankle mobility, especially in my right ankle.

[@CoachJulia]

Glad you like them!

[@veesstar]

thanks for the tips julia! beginner skater here and after finally being comfortable on the ice im so ready to attempt my two-foot spin! as someone with ankle issues that impact my skating this is going to be so helpful!!

[@CoachJulia]

Happy to help!

[@elysewilson4227]

Great video! I love seeing ways to improve strength and flexibility off-ice, and I really appreciated the gym machine recommendation. I will be looking for it next time I'm there :)

[@Catski0]

Meow~ Hello, sweet kitty!😻 (totally distracted lol) Thanks for the video Coach Julia, as someone who wears high heels a lot, I definitely need to work on this, like everyday... Also useful for better jump landing😺

[@jenngarrison4317]

Great video! I did love the kitty cameo!

[@CoachJulia]

Thanks for your help with this one!

[@aria_7328]

Thank you so much for this!! I always find that exercise and stretching has helped me accelerate my skating journey so much. I would love to see more figure skating specific workouts ❤

[@CoachJulia]

Glad you liked this! I will try and come up with more of these for you!

[@MammamiaLeone]

@@CoachJulia Perfect for when I am awaiting my children during their activities!

[@teddysbusybook9594]

Thanks ❤

[@lilianmatheson3664]

Yay. Finally, I can do some off ice to help my sit spins. They are very hard because I can "sit." I have almost no flexibility. Thank you, Julia. My daugters and I will work on them. ❤ 👏🏽👏🏽

[@CoachJulia]

So glad that this video hit the mark for you!

[@CrossoverGenius]

I used to use a pair of tights for stretching for dance, could replace the therapy band for folks who don’t have one.

[@CoachJulia]

That is a great tip!

[@ud5n]

Very helpful! Also adorable cat ❤

[@CoachJulia]

Thank you! 😊

[@yjchoi17]

Thanks for the tips Julia. Our rink hosted a pretty major national comp the past 4 days which I watched some of the events. My biggest note was the height of the jumps those advanced skaters had, and I was thinking of something similar to tip #2. Definitely getting added to my off ice routines.

[@CoachJulia]

It really is incredible to see that level of skating. The height of those jumps seems superhuman. Glad you found my tips helpful.

[@JustMe-12345]

Sit spins…. Could you do some knee strengthening exercises? I can easily bend from a flexibility standpoint, but don’t have enough strength to go lower on one leg to get even close to a sit spin or shoot the duck.

[@CoachJulia]

Absolutely! Strength is definitely a huge factor in getting down into a sit position. I will see what I can film for you.

[@roomofmirrorsbest]

2:45 band 7:40 5 inch away go on ice

[@tabithadehaan8405]

Do you have a general (full body / leg) stretch for figure skaters? That you can do like a few times per week to improve flexibility? So not too long but the right stretches ...

[@Lys592]

Hello everyone, as a beginner skate. I struggle to cross my legs while jumping. Do you have any advice.

[@nikki_exe]

cant wait to try these tips! do you have any advice for not hitting your toe pick while doing backwards crossovers? (the version where you pick up your foot, not the scoop) i’ve been having so much difficulty with it and it’s super discouraging :-(. thank you for your advice!

[@JustMe-12345]

My take on it: I had huge problems with my toe picks after getting new skates (old ones were recreational ones with one toe pick “sharpened off”). So it took me a while to get used to proper ones. With backwards crossovers among the hardest. Things that helped me is generally being aware of where your weight is on your blades. Or to get a feel when my picks would reach the ice. And similar to front crossovers kinda “slanting” the foot if that makes sense helped (the one not crossing over). And ofc practice practice practice.

[@nikki_exe]

@@JustMe-12345 you’re so lovely!! thank you!! where would you say you center your weight mainly? i’ll definitely utilize those tricks :)

[@zeborahnz]

I have that problem on one side but not the other! My coach reminds me to bend (sideways) at the ankle more, so I'm more on the outside edge (and the picked-up foot lands solidly on the inside edge). Which is definitely a large part of it because my outside edges are always weak, and getting my confidence on the crossovers has helped. But also I've been trying to engage my heel a bit more - the weight of course shouldn't more on the rocker for anything going backwards, but if I keep the heel involved then it seems to keep the toe pick from scratching. Still a work in progress!

[@nikki_exe]

@@zeborahnzi appreciate it so much

[@givemerodeo]

Hi Julia. Thanks for the new video. I think I'm a paid subscriber, but your new videos don't always show up in my feed. Thoughts?

[@givemerodeo]

​@thomasfamthomas2815 all notifications for the channel are on

[@CoachJulia]

Oh no! I am not sure why that is happening! They pretty much always come out Sunday morning so look for them then.

[@BeetleNugget]

I've recently begun skating lessons however I'm struggling with my one-foot glides, especially because I'm currently using rentals. I'm looking into getting my own pair of skates but do you have any videos or tips on one foot glides and skating in rentals?

[@nikki_exe]

julia made a video where she skated in rentals and how its different so it might be helpful! also, for one foot glides find that pressing down my pinky toe on my skate is super helpful since it helps me balance on the ball of my foot (the place before your toes). mess around with your weight placement and keep practicing! you got this!

[@JustMe-12345]

Knees (slightly bend it to have a better feel). And make sure to keep your core tight. It might be hard in the beginning but I like to have my foot rather high up, and almost press the skate against my knee or even thigh. So high. For the beginning just lifting a bit is probably easier. And firstly focus on being on One leg. Ignore edges. Does not matter that you are doing a circle for now. As for rentals…. Depending on what kind, it could work: the rink I train at they offer “real” skates (recreational leather ones). And often ppl work there that used to/ still figure skate. So they would give you better ones. Or ask them if they could give you sharp ones bc you will be practicing. Maybe it will work Oh and… I noticed that upon getting real ones after having recreational ones: they are tight. So probably don’t size up. Use your normal size and lace them up tight. Your ankles should feel stable

[@BeetleNugget]

​@Nikki _exe thank you for the help and support! 😊

[@BeetleNugget]

​@@JustMe-12345 Thank you for the tips! I will do my best 😊

[@nikki_exe]

@@BeetleNugget no worries!! best of luck! if you still have some issues work on doing some nice marches on the ice, focusing on lifting your leg higher and higher. helps so much with stability

[@jeremyhaliski1104]

Haha there's only one way for me to have that much mobility. Is my 3 main eyelets are broken so I don't tie them there no more. That has given me more ankle mobiliy.

[@JustMe-12345]

Omg…. Can you get them replaced?

[@jeremyhaliski1104]

@JustMe yes but I'm on a waiting list for new ones for couple weeks now. My skates have alot of eyelets so I have been just using those. It's still supportive however shoot the duck is much easier now.

[@MsChelseaJ]

You've got major time ballet feet. Those arches!

[@CoachJulia]

Yeah, I was a ballet dancer as a child and my mother was a teacher. So I had classes at the studio plus a ballet set-up in the garage.

[@Jc-zv8jc]

My gym doesnt have this mashine tho-