Gill Athletics S2 Starting Block 8" Tall Cast Aluminum Pedals - Designed for High Level Track & Field Competition - Pedals Feature Four Angle Adjustments - Includes 1⁄2” Pyramid Spikes

I have been preparing myself for the installation of the rubber pads on this based on some of the reviews stating how difficult they are to pop in place! I told my son we would need to watch videos on it. We must have received an updated version because they were so incredibly easy to put on! I guess we were lucky! Purchased for sprint training during off season and so far so good! Pretty solid and sturdy, but light to carry. These do a great job!

I researched several starting blocks and after settling on Gill, I am glad I did. This is a quality product that will have a long life span.For those having issues with pulling the rubber pegs on the rubber pedals through the holes on the metal pedals, I came up with a solution that installs them quickly without much stress. All you need is a lubricant such as a moisturizing lotion, a hair dryer, and channel locks. First, apply the lubricant on the rubber pegs and the holes they go through on the metal pedals. Next, line each rubber peg up with each hole in the metal pedal and let the rubber pegs sit in the holes loosely. Then, turn the hair dryer on high setting and let it heat each rubber peg. Aim the heat from the hair dryer through the side of the pedal so that the heat is focused on the gap between the bottom of the rubber pedal and the top of the metal pedal. Start at the top of the pedal and work towards the bottom. Don't skip around, go in order top to bottom. Heat each rubber peg for approximately 30 seconds. Turn off the hair dryer and apply pressure with your thumb on the rubber pedal over the rubber peg. The rubber peg should go right through in a matter of seconds. If it does not, use the channel locks to coax the rubber peg through the metal hole. I was able to complete installing both rubber pedals on the metal portion of the pedals in approximately ten minutes with no damage to the rubber pegs.

Bought these for regular use on track. It is very good quality, definitely will last.Assembly is easy, just check out the youtube videos on how to connect the covering on the footing. If you try to do it without the right technique, you will most likely struggle (like I did first) 😀After watching the video, assembly was less than 10 minutes, without any struggle.

The pads are impossible to assemble. Watched all the YouTube videos and still could not assemble without breaking off the tabs. Would give this product 0 stars if possible. Spoke with customer service and they said "we have heard that the pads suck" so not sure why they haven't recalled this product yet. Would post a picture but no one wants to see my hands covered with cuts from this awful product. Have lost a lot of blood and all of my sanity.

The sturdiness and stability of the product is great however, the pads that go over the blocks themselves were extremely difficult to install. We had to improvise with using a hammer and a very strong person

This is really a quality starting block. It costs a bit more but it’s really worth it. The foot rest angle locking mechanisms will not ever break and the pads are large and feel solid to set up against.

Quality seems to be there, but there were no instructions on how to get the pads on the footholds. Reading through the reviews I saw a few different ways to do it but ultimately, the nubs all broke off and I had some scrapes to go along with my useless starting blocks.Other options out there for the same (or better) price. Save yourself the aggravation of these blocks.

This is a solid starting block, if one can get the pads attached. I did everything possible, including soaking the pads in hot water to make the pointy things soft and malleable to go thru the holes. Still, I could not get all 12 to go thru without ripping one. So I am going to return this item. Very frustrating and wish that I saw the reviews before ordering. Seems that is the only but very common complaint customers have with this product. Gill should really consider attaching the pads before shipping. It will get better reviews and far fewer returns.