Do Skater Trainers Work? Learning Tricks Without Rolling (2026)
Skater Trainers stretch over your wheels so the board can't roll. Here's what they're good for, where they fall short and how to use them well.
What Are Skater Trainers?
Skater Trainers are rubber covers that stretch over your skateboard wheels so the board stays put. Because the board can't roll away, you can practice the foot positions, pop and flick of tricks like the ollie, kickflip and shove-it without the board shooting out from under you. The company markets them as a way to learn tricks faster and more safely, with less falling and more confidence.
Skater Trainers
Best for learning trick motions
- Stretch over your wheels
- Stop the board rolling
- Practice ollies and flips
Do They Work? The Honest Answer
For learning the motion, yes, they're useful. Being able to pop, slide and land on a board that stays in place lets you repeat a trick many times, building muscle memory and confidence. But skateboarding happens while rolling, and landing on a moving board feels different. Think of Skater Trainers as a stepping stone: learn the motion stationary, then practice rolling slowly on smooth ground.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Practice tricks with less risk of the board flying out | Doesn't teach balance while rolling |
| Builds muscle memory and confidence | Landing a stationary board feels different |
| Use at home on carpet or grass | Need to take them off to actually skate |
| Helpful for nervous beginners and kids | Not needed for everyone |
What You Can Practice
- Ollie foot placement, pop and slide; see how to ollie.
- Kickflip and heelflip flick timing; see how to kickflip.
- Shove-its; see how to pop shove-it.
- Manual balance points.
How to Use Them
- Stretch a trainer over each wheel following the instructions.
- Practice on carpet, a mat or grass.
- Focus on one trick at a time.
- Once comfortable, remove the trainers and practice rolling slowly.
- Wear a helmet and pads, even at home.
Alternatives
- Practice on grass or carpet without trainers.
- Practice stance and balance on a carpeted floor.
- Hold a friend's shoulder or a rail while practicing ollies.
Getting started? See beginner skateboards, skateboard tricks and knee pads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Skater Trainers?
Rubber covers that stretch over skateboard wheels so the board doesn't roll, letting you practice trick motions in place.
Do Skater Trainers actually work?
They help you learn the foot movements and timing for tricks like ollies and kickflips with less fear of the board shooting out. You still need to practice rolling to land tricks in real skating.
Can I use Skater Trainers indoors?
Many skaters use them on carpet or grass, but be careful of furniture and floors; a mat or carpet is safest.
Do Skater Trainers damage wheels?
They stretch over the wheels and come off; follow the instructions and don't leave them stretched on for long periods.
Are they good for kids?
They can help kids build confidence. Kids should still wear a helmet and pads.