Roller skating first became popular in the 1930’s, but has experienced several comebacks since then. While it is always easiest to learn how to skate while you are still a child, here are a few tips for all of you adults who want to know the best ways to prepare for a skating session.
Choosing Skates
If you are completely new to roller skating, then it is likely that you will be renting, rather than purchasing, your skates. While renting roller skates is an extremely convenient way to give the sport a try, you do need to pay attention to the skates that you choose. Wearing skates that are too large for you will cause you to fall unnecessarily, even if you are doing everything else right, while wearing skates that are too small will only result in you shuffling rather than skating, and will also cause you plenty of foot pain.
Protective Gear
Unless you are an experienced skater, you need to prepare yourself for the fact that you will likely end up falling down a few times. The best way to prevent injury is by investing in some protective gear. A helmet will give your head the protection that it needs, while elbow, wrist and knee pads will help to absorb the impact from any falls. If you are nervous about skating, simply wearing all of the protective gear can really help to boost your confidence, enabling you to focus on your technique rather than worrying about falling and hurting yourself.
Practice Your Stance
A good stance can make all the difference when skating, and it is always smart to practice this at home first before heading to the skating rink. Your knees should always have a slight bend to them and never be straight, while your actual stance should be quite wide, as this will help to keep you steady. Try to keep your arms in front of you, with your elbows tucked in, as this keeps your center of gravity low, while keeping your weight to the front. Once you are actually on skates, you need to also remember to not flail your arms if you feel unsteady, as this will not only guarantee a fall, but also causes a higher risk of injury to those around you. If you do feel as though you are going to fall, simply bring your arms to the front and widen your stance to give yourself some extra stability.
A Little Support
If you are a novice skater, it can often be helpful to have a bit of extra support when you are first learning, so do try to acquire the help of a more experienced skater. All they need to do is skate alongside you while holding your upper arm, as well as your opposite hand, as this will help to balance you out and make you feel much steadier.
Roller skating is a great hobby to take up, because not only is it a fantastic form of exercise, it is also plenty of fun. Whether you are heading down to your local skating rink for the evening, or are spending the day roller skating around your neighbourhood, these tips will help to ensure that you feel safe, comfortable, and confident.
