DIY vs Commercial Trainer: Pros, Cons & When to Upgrade

Hockey gets expensive fast, with ice time, league fees, having to buy new gear every season, and just paying for the gas to cart your kids around. This makes some parents want to build their own hockey stick handling trainers with things like PVC pipe and golf balls.

Both DIY and commercial trainers have their place, and Give-N-Go Hockey has worked with families across the country who've tried both approaches. We’ll tell you more below about what actually matters, so you can make the right call for your situation.

What Does a Stick Handling Trainer Do?

A hockey stick handling trainer helps players practice puck control off the ice. It simulates real game situations, so players can work on quick hands, lateral movement, and muscle memory and improve game performance.

Whether you build or buy, the basic concept is the same: The trainer creates obstacles or targets that force the puck to move in specific patterns, so players practice toe drags, figure eights, and quick releases over and over until they can do them in their sleep.

Building Your Own Trainer: Pros & Cons

Building your own hockey training equipment can work if you've got the time and the right expectations.

The Upside

You save money up front, since most DIY builds cost between $20 and $50, depending on the materials. Plus, you can customize the dimensions to fit your space. Not to mention, it’s a project your kids can join in on.

DIY setups also let you experiment with things like spacing, obstacles, and layout as your player's skills improve.

The Downside

You need time and basic construction skills to put them together, and shopping for parts, cutting materials, and putting everything together is a lot of work for something that might not even end up with the durability you need.

PVC joints loosen over time, and the targets shift during use. Your player can't train at full speed if they're worried about breaking the setup or having it slide across the floor.

Plus, it can be unsafe, with sharp edges, unstable bases, and parts that come loose. A lot of DIY setups fall apart after just a few weeks.

Commercial Trainers: Features & Benefits

On the flip side, commercial trainers cost more up front, but they're professionally built for hockey stick handling practice, so they’ve got the right weight distribution and durability to be effective.

What You Get

The money you spend on commercial trainers is a good investment because steel frames don't bend, and proper weighting keeps things stable even during aggressive drills. You don’t have to worry about the setup moving or breaking when you play at game speed.

DIY projects can’t compete with commercial features, like precise spacing, professional-grade materials, and designs that have been tested by actual players. According to USA Hockey's development guidelines, consistent skill development requires reliable equipment that allows for proper technique repetition.

Plus, you save on time. No shopping for parts, no complicated assembly, and you won’t have to throw the whole thing in the dumpster when it falls apart. You get a ready-to-use trainer that works right and lasts.

The Investment Question

Commercial trainers cost more, but consider what you're actually paying for: Durability, safety, and effectiveness. Just think, a quality trainer used three times a week for two years ends up being cheaper than a DIY project you need to rebuild or repair all the time. Hockey training experts emphasize the importance of proper equipment, since it directly impacts how fast and how well skills develop

When to Upgrade Your Hockey Training Equipment

Some situations clearly favor commercial equipment, meaning you should seriously consider ditching the DIY and going commercial from the start.

If your player trains seriously multiple times per week, homemade equipment won’t hold up. You'll end up rebuilding every few months, which wastes both time and money, not to mention it’s just plain frustrating.

Plus, safety. If your DIY setup wobbles, has sharp edges, or breaks during use, get rid of it. It’s not worth the risk.

Maybe your kid’s been using a DIY setup, but their skills have outgrown it. To keep improving their techniques, they need stable, precisely designed equipment.

Have you got multiple kids sharing the same equipment? Commercial trainers handle different skill levels and training intensities better than anything you can make at home. Our passing aid works well no matter who's using it.

It’s Give-N-Go Hockey’s mission to make hockey more accessible, and that includes offering certified pre-owned hockey training equipment that delivers professional quality at a much lower price. Every purchase you make helps fund equipment donations to community programs. Check out our complete selection of stickhandling aids to see what fits your training needs.

Final Thoughts: Explore Our Stick Handling Trainer

Give-N-Go Hockey's certified pre-owned hockey gear and training equipment deliver professional quality that fits your budget. Every purchase supports youth hockey programs in your community. Contact us to learn more about our products and mission.

FAQs

Are DIY stickhandling trainers safe?

They can be, if they’re built correctly with smooth edges, stable bases, and quality materials, but even then, they won’t give you the stability and durability you need for intense training sessions.

What's the average cost of a professional stickhandling aid?

The cost of professional hockey stick handling trainers varies. Pre-owned certified options from Give-N-Go Hockey can give you the same quality at a lower price.

What age is ideal to start training stickhandling?

Most players benefit from structured stickhandling practice starting around age 6 or 7. Younger kids can use simplified setups while older players need more challenging equipment.

Can you use these on synthetic ice?

Yes, quality trainers work on synthetic ice, regular flooring, driveways, or basements. Make sure the base provides adequate weight and grip for your specific surface.

What makes a commercial trainer better?

Commercial trainers offer superior stability, precise spacing, durable materials, and safety features that DIY builds typically lack. They're designed specifically for hockey training effectiveness.

Are there adjustable options available?

Many commercial trainers include adjustable components that let you modify difficulty as skills improve. Check product specifications for adjustability features before purchasing.