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One of the ’90s trends that should definitely be making a comeback is inline skating. If you have some idea about inline skating or roller skating or just skating in general, you must be thinking about ways to start without getting hurt. There is a certain level of skill and technique involved in this sport that will help you safely glide through. This sport also has multiple benefits which might make it even more attractive for you. Wish to know more? Read ahead! In this article, we will be discussing everything about inline skates, the steps to follow to learn skating, the equipment you will need and the benefits attached to this sport. 

Introduction

If you are looking for a new hobby that will drag you outside the house and also get some physical activity done, then you must surely be looking for a pair of the best inline skates. Inline skating is a low-impact workout for your lower body muscles, a good way to spend your time outdoors and a stress reliever too. The gear is not too expensive and you can easily start by following the right steps. If there are any skating rinks or skating trails near your house, you just need to gather the right equipment and you can get, set… skate through. 

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In the following sections of this article, we will help you navigate through the basics of this sport by sharing with you all the necessary details to start your inline skating journey. You will find here the details like the difference between inline skates and roller skates, what equipment you need if you wish to go inline skating and the steps to begin when you try this sport the very first time. 

What Is Inline Skating?

As the name suggests, skating that is done using skates that have their wheels in one straight line is known as inline skating. The shoes worn by skaters in this sport consist of boots that have a frame at the bottom with three or four wheels. These wheels that are set in-line offer speed and manoeuvrability. Roller skating on the other hand has two horizontal rows of wheels. To move forward once you wear your inline skater shoes, you must use your muscles and body weight to push into the wheels and skate forward. With aggressive inline skates, you can also include jumps and grinds in your style. 

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Regularly practising the basic movements, will lead you to try the different styles of skating and even participate in skating events. Some options to try are outdoor distance skating, street skating, paved-trail skating and inline speed skating. You can try to skate inline both indoors and outdoors. 

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Equipment Required For Inline Skating

In the previous section, we looked at what inline skating is and the basic structure of the skates used for this sport. We also mentioned that there are aggressive inline skates that are designed especially to involve moves like jumps. In this section, we will specifically take a look at the equipment that you will need to start practising this sport. If you are totally new and wish to give it just a try first, you can rent out the gear. Otherwise, it is time for shopping!

 

  • One of the major requirements for you to start with inline skating is a good pair of skates. You must try and invest in the best inline skates to help ensure that you skate safely through the trail you follow. As a beginner, opt for skates with a snug fit, 80 mm wheels and a brake. 
  • A skating helmet to prevent skull injuries.
  • Knee, elbow and wrist pads for protection. 

How To Skate For The Very First Time? 

Be it women’s or men’s inline skates and skating, the steps to be followed are near about the same. If you are skating for the very first time, you must check out the steps of how you must start. Here is a guide on how you can skate for the very first time. These steps will help you safely start your inline skating journey. 

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  • Get into the ready position. Stand with both skates parallel to each other. The skates must be pointing straight in the direction that you wish to move in. Both your feet should be at a distance of one hand. 
  • Keep your body upright and keep bending your knees forward slowly. Do this unless your knee pads are over your toes vertically. Feel your weight on the balls of both your feet and heels lighter inside your boots. 
  • Start mini-marching. Take your skates alternatively up and down at the spot you are on. Do not lift any skate above 3 cm. Keep your tempo quick. Stay low on the knee you are not lifting. You must not move your head or yourself from where you are standing. Make sure you are not on a rolling surface. 
  • Gently start opening your feet into a V-shape. Keep both feet even. You should be on a smooth surface and begin rolling forward. 
  • Start returning your feet to the ready position to start gliding. Allow yourself to slow down to a stop. 

Advantages Of Inline Skating

By now you must have surely looked for an inline skating trail near you and also found the best brands to shop for the required equipment. The final point that we would like to put forward is how inline skating benefits you. Here are some advantages of inline skating that you should know:

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  • Inline skating is a form of cross-training for hockey players. 
  • This form of skating helps you in improving your posture and strengthening your muscles. Your lower body muscles like glutes, quads, hamstrings, calves and adductors are targeted by inline skating. The upper body core is also exercised when you twist and turn. Joint stability is increased as these muscles are exercised. 
  • Inline skating also relieves stress. This form of exercise floods your brain with endorphins and other hormones to reduce stress. 
  • Your body’s awareness of movement and where it is in space, which is also known as proprioception, is also improved by this form of skating. This in turn improves the overall balance and coordination of the individual. 

Conclusion

Inline skating is a great workout for your lower body muscles and you can also create a new hobby by learning this type of skating. As we conclude this article on inline skating, we hope that you will now have more information about this sport that will help you start your journey. We have discussed the various aspects of inline skating like the equipment required, steps and benefits to help you get a jumpstart with this sport. 

FAQs

Inline skating is not just a good exercise for you but also a wonderful recreational activity for those who love being outdoors. If you have any doubts or queries regarding inline skating, you must check out the answers to some of the most common questions related to this sport. 

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  1. What are all the possible risks involved in going inline skating?

The risks involved in going inline skating are risks of serious injury. The following are some of the common risks that can be reduced by taking proper safety measures

  • Fractures: these are most common in the forearm, wrist, hand and elbow.
  • Soft tissue injuries that include lacerations, abrasions and contusions. 
  • Blisters due to not wearing proper size skates
  • Cuts, scrapes and bruises

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  1. What muscles are used most in skating?

Inline skating majorly targets your lower body muscles. These include glutes, quads, hamstrings and calves. Other muscles like the hip adductors and even the core are used in this style of skating. 

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  1.  How do you stop on inline skates?

There are 4 ways how you can stop on inline skates:

  • By applying the heel brake
  • By using beginner stopping techniques like skating on grass or dirt, skating towards a wall to stop and the plow stop or v-stop. 
  • By using intermediate techniques like slalom stop, wide stance and 180 degrees spin and spreading your arms to use the wind to slow down.
  • By using advanced techniques like curb ramming, T-stop, hockey stop, stepping forward or backwards or leaning back using both brakes.

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Roller Skating
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