FAQs

Yes. On the team trainer, the ball hopper and rail can be removed for easy storage. With the rail removed, the team trainer’s base is designed to roll through a standard door. The individual trainer can be disassembled to fit in the back of an SUV, truck, or large vehicle for transport.

If you need us to fill out a vendor packet, feel free to email us at info@acuspike.com and we will get it done! Below are our forms for your school purchase.

AcuSpike Sole Source

AcuSpike W-9

The ball grip is made of a soft, yet durable material that will compress if accidentally struck. Technically speaking, it is 5-pound per cubic foot foam with a 30-pound compression rating like the foam that a car seat is made from. AcuSpike will warrant the ball grips for one year, and replacements can be purchased by phone order only.

All AcuSpike spike trainer painted surfaces are finished with a high quality 3 mm. powdercoat. This type of finish is the premier standard for creating the best aesthetic and providing durability and longevity. Powdercoating is applied electrostatically and then cured under heat to create a hard finish that is tougher than conventional paint. The base frame, which is expected to be handled for rolling the unit, is textured during the powdercoat process for a rippled finish, while the rail and upper post have a glossy finish.

Operating the hand crank takes very little effort due to its gearing. A middle school student will have no problem raising or lowering the unit height. Each turn of the crank changes the height by approximately two inches. No additional mechanisms, such as a hook, ratchet, or direction switch, are needed to operate the hand crank. Just turn it one way or the other, and it will stay automatically when you stop turning.

All AcuSpike trainer systems are now sent with a ball grip adjustment kit within their part bag(s). If you did not receive one or have misplaced it - request one HERE!

Our spike trainer has a ruled height indicator and is infinitely adjustable with the bi-directional hand crank. Like a vertical jump tester, it will show you exactly how high each player is capable of jumping. Since each ball releases, you’ll know if the player hit the top of the ball and the corresponding trajectory.

Keeping track of each player’s vertical jump using the spike trainer is easy. With improvements in technique, conditioning, and many repetitions, vertical jump will improve. Keep track of each player’s “hitting height” progress over time with the height indicator.

Yes. Loading the hopper does not interfere with the next hitter, so endless hitting without waiting is possible if each person reloads one ball after their hit.

Up to twelve balls can be pre-loaded in the team trainer, and up to five balls can be pre-loaded in the individual trainer. The rail accommodates eleven or four balls plus one, which is loaded for hitting. Additional balls should not be loaded into the hopper when the rail is full. The hopper should be used only for funneling balls onto the rail.

When two or more people are training on the AcuSpike, it is very easy to load balls into the hopper simultaneously as others are hitting, so the rail never becomes empty.

PLEASE NOTE: ALL BALLS MUST BE FED INTO THE HOPPER ONE AT A TIME.

Yes, the spike trainer can be left outside. While the AcuSpike was designed for indoor use, the majority of parts are durable and will withstand outdoor conditions.

The base of the machine and its parts are resistant to the elements. All exposed painted surfaces are covered with industrial grade powdercoat that contains UV inhibitors, which is the standard for all high-quality outdoor equipment. The hand crank has a marine-grade zinc coating that is made to be exposed to the elements.

Your spike trainer will last longer against the elements if you follow these recommended steps:

• For best longevity, the rail assembly should be stored indoors, and the top of the post should be covered to prevent water from entering (a plastic container would work well).
• Minimally, you should take off the rail assembly, cover the post and remove the hopper and foam ball grips (which are not UV inhibited and will degrade if exposed to long periods of direct sunlight) to be stored indoors.
• If your spike trainer is left outside and unused for a prolonged period of time, covering the entire base will help to preserve its appearance from degrading due to the buildup of dirt.

On the team spike trainer, the two casters under the ballast do not swivel and do not lock. The two casters on the hitting side can lock both the swivel and roll function. The casters are extremely high quality, rated at over 350 pounds each, and have very little resistance. When unlocked, a middle school student would have no problem rolling the trainer by themselves over a smooth floor surface. To lock the two front casters, simply step on the exposed foot switch. To unlock the two front casters, lift up the two foot switches.

All AcuSpike trainers must be loaded with weight before initial use. This is part of the one-time assembly process and will ensure complete stability. To load the team trainer, place 250 pounds of play sand directly into the ballast and replace the ballast cover.

The individual trainer comes with four buckets, each to be completely filled with sand. Please note that play sand is not included in your shipment and can be purchased at any home improvement store for around $5 per each 50 pound bag.