100% of Cardists in 2025 Are Already Using Trainers
By Sean Armand
What if I told you you’ve been using trainers this whole time — without even realizing it?
We usually think of trainers as specific tools — Slabs, Squids, or other variations designed specifically for practice. But maybe the word “trainer” has been boxed in too tightly.
When you break it down, a trainer isn’t defined by what it’s made of — it’s defined by how it’s used. And more importantly, by the mindset behind it.
Think about that one deck you always reach for. Maybe it’s perfectly broken in, smooth and flowy. Or maybe it’s a “poop deck” — 39 cards, dirty edges, with corners bent beyond saving. But here’s the thing: you’re not afraid to drop it. You’re not stressing over dings or damage. You’re just focused on getting better. That freedom? That’s training.
Training isn’t just about reps — it’s about removing hesitation. It’s about refining your control, pushing your limits, and building muscle memory without fear of failure. You’re not just practicing — you’re training.
And that shift in language matters. Because once you realize you’ve been training all along, it builds confidence. Suddenly, your sessions feel more legitimate. More purposeful.
Recognizing what you’re already doing — and giving it the right name — opens the door to deeper growth.
Tools of the Trade
Different tools serve different purposes. Some Cardists grab a beater deck to try something wild without worrying. Others might prefer that perfectly broken-in deck where every move feels just right. Maybe you’re practicing keeping packets perfectly square, so you only use a fresh deck for a while. Or maybe you’re working on flow and transitions with a set of Slabs, where you can focus purely on the flow without stressing over dropping cards.
They’re all trainers — even if we don’t always call them that.
Whether it’s a beater deck, a fresh one, or anything you trust to let loose with, these are the tools we reach for when we want to train without holding back. The only real difference is that we haven’t been using the word “trainer” to describe them. Until now.
No one method of training is better than another — just like no single move defines the art. Each tool brings out different qualities. What matters is how you use them to get closer to your goals.
Think of it like exercise. One person might lift weights and do cardio, while another focuses on bodyweight training and jiu-jitsu. They wouldn’t argue over which methods are “better” — they’d recognize that both paths lead to improvement. And sometimes, exposure to different methods opens up new ideas that help in unexpected ways.
Cardistry works the same way.
Once you start seeing your practice that way — as training — you can start being more deliberate with how you approach it.
Mastering Moves: Different Styles, Same Dedication
All of this — the goal, the tools, the mindset — is aimed at one thing: making you a more complete Cardist.
And being a complete Cardist doesn’t just mean performing difficult moves. It means understanding movement, developing flow, and finding your voice — whether that comes through inventing or interpreting.
Someone who doesn’t create original moves but masters their favorites from others?
Awesome.
Someone who only creates and performs their own material?
Also awesome.
Both are training. Both are growing. These differences aren’t barriers — they’re pathways to unique strengths.
Innovating with fresh ideas adds to the art, and perfecting timeless classics preserves its roots. Each approach pushes boundaries and brings something valuable to the shared creativity within the community.
And at the end of the day, training — in any form — moves you forward.
Why Switching It Up Unlocks Hidden Potential
Switching between tools isn’t just about variety — it’s a way to unlock different layers of your ability. Each one challenges you in a new way, forcing your hands — and your brain — to adapt and grow.
A set of Slabs might help you isolate the intricacies of packet cuts. A beater deck trains your fearlessness. A new deck trains your control. All of them sharpen different aspects of your skillset.
All of them are trainers.
This isn’t about picking one path and sticking to it. It’s about realizing that every tool you use is part of a larger training process — and the more tools you expose yourself to, the more complete your training becomes.
If you always find yourself reaching for the same type of trainer, take this as a push to try something different. Instead of always using a full deck, experiment with just half and see what shifts. If you always grab a beater, push yourself to use fresh decks for a while—feel how it changes your flow. Switch it up. Explore the unfamiliar. Growth happens when you step outside your usual pattern.
Everything Contributes: How Training Alone Strengthens Us Together
We’re all training — with different tools, in different ways. And once that becomes clear, it reshapes everything. What you reach for, how you move, what you focus on — it all begins to carry more intention.
Training solo can be powerful — it’s where you push yourself, explore, and get lost in the rhythm. But training together? That’s where it all levels up. That’s where ideas cross-pollinate, training methods get exchanged, and the craft becomes bigger than any one person.
Even when we’re not in the same room, the way we post, share, comment, and connect creates a kind of collective training space. Just by showing up and engaging, we help each other improve.
Maybe you’re jamming solo in your room. Maybe you’ve got a small group chat where you quietly share your best stuff. Maybe you’re posting a clip — or just watching one, and letting it shape your next session. However it shows up in your life, you’re part of something bigger.
You’re training. And you’re not doing it alone.
Let’s keep building each other up. Let’s keep switching it up — trying different tools, innovating styles, and exploring the depths of what we think we can do.
Let’s keep training — together.
About the author, Sean Armand:
Sean Armand has been immersed in the world of cards for over 20 years, constantly refining techniques and experimenting with both classic and original moves. Sharing ideas — whether through writing, cardistry, or conversation — has always been a driving passion. With a deep respect for the growth of the community and a desire to help others bring their ideas to life, Sean aims to contribute to the ongoing evolution of the craft while encouraging collaboration and creativity along the way. Sean’s ideas and thoughts are shared on Instagram, TikTok, and Substack under the handle @armandhammer713 on all platforms.
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fire writeup 🔥