Roller skating, inline skating, and skateboarding are all aerobic exercises that can help with weight loss. Finding an activity you love is one of the best ways to get fit.
You can expect to burn around 300 to 400 calories in 30 minutes of rollerblading or skating. Possibly more than running for weight loss! The exact value depends on your weight and the intensity of skating – the harder you roller skate the more calories you burn.
Roller Skating For Weight Loss
When I was a child I spent a lot of time outside and one of my favorite possessions was a battered pair of roller skates. I was so brave and fearless descending the big hill where we lived and I still have the scared knees to prove it!
But roller skating doesn’t just have to be for children. Some of the hobbies we had when we were younger are great exercises for burning calories. Rediscovering an activity you loved as a child can be a great way to lose weight.
Roller Skates Or Inline Skating – What’s The Difference?
Roller skates have two wheels at the front and two wheels at the back. They look very stable but the skate plate is short – just from toe to heel and beginners tend to wheel clip (where a wheel from one skate clips the wheel of the other).
Inline skates, or blades, have all four wheels in a line. It’s a longer base making them more stable and because all the wheels are in one line there’s far less chance of wheel clipping. Inline skating has a lot of similarities to ice skating. It’s a bit easier to learn than roller skating but both will give you a great workout.
This article mainly talks about roller skating but the health benefits apply just as much to using inline skates.
7 Benefits Of Roller Skating
Here are some of the benefits of roller skating:
#1 Roller Skating Burns Calories
Losing weight needs a calorie deficit – the number of calories you eat must be less than the calories you burn every day when you want to lose weight.
One way to build a calorie deficit is to burn calories by exercising.
In theory, you need to burn an extra 3500 calories per week to lose one pound of fat. It depends on the amount of time you have but roller skate for an hour a day and you can hit this target.
I say this in theory because weight loss is complicated. There are a lot of factors that affect how easy it is to lose weight. Your diet and calorie intake, existing body weight, age, gender, and metabolism are the main ones.
But the most effective way to lose weight is to find a type of exercise you enjoy and improve your diet.
For most people, a healthy diet and regular exercise will be enough to lose weight. Participating in an exercise you enjoy will get you going back for more. Skate regularly and you’ll love the results! It’s a great way to hit your weight loss goals.
#2 It’s Excellent Aerobic Exercise
If you’re worried about your health and fitness, roller skating is a great cardio exercise. It’s a good workout for raising your heart rate, being fit, and helping to protect against heart disease.
An intense skate session will get your heart pumping and give you a great aerobic workout. Add skating to your everyday routine and your fitness levels will improve in no time!
#3 Roller Skating Makes You Stronger
If you want a shapely butt and strong legs – pull on a pair of skates. Roller skating is a good exercise for working your gluteus maximus, your core, and your entire lower body. You’ll see better muscle definition from regular skating.
If you’ve just started skating, don’t do too much too soon – or you’ll wake up the next day aching all over.
#4 It’s Good For Your Mental Health
The benefits of roller skating aren’t just physical – spending time outdoors, being active, and enjoying yourself will do wonders for your mental health.
We all know how good exercise is for our bodies but it’s also great for our minds. When you skate you release endorphins – the happy hormones that improve your mood and make you feel good.
If you’re feeling stressed or down, a skate session is a perfect pick-me-up. It’s a great way to clear your head, boost your spirits, and forget your troubles.
#5 Roller Skating Is Fun
Last but not least, roller skating is great fun. It’s exhilarating to skate along at speed and it does wonders for your confidence.
Roller skating makes a great social activity. Skate with friends or family or find a local roller skating club to join.
Skating rinks often have disco sessions where you can skate to music – it’s a fantastic way to let off some steam and have a good time.
If you enjoy team sports, roller derby is a fast-growing sport where teams race around a track using blockers to hold up the opposition.
#6 Burn Belly Fat By Roller Skating
Spot reduction of body fat is a myth – you can’t target a specific area for fat loss, but skating will burn calories and help you lose belly fat.
Fortunately, your store of belly fat is often one of the first areas to reduce when you’re losing weight, so roller skate frequently and watch your belly fat dissolve!
#7 Improve Your Balance And Coordination
Roller skating is a great way to improve your balance and coordination. It takes practice to skate well, but once you get the hang of it you’ll be amazed at how much better your balance becomes.
Improved balance can benefit so many activities and other sports such as trail running and cycling.
How To Start Roller Skating
If it’s a long time since you last wore a pair of roller skates or you’re completely new to roller skating, here are a few tips to get you started.
#1 Buy Some Skates
This may seem obvious but take care buying your first roller skates. They need to fit correctly, especially in the heel. Many beginners prefer to start with recreational skates rather than fitness skates. They’re longer with more stability but a little less maneuverability.
If possible try and buy your first pair of skates in-store where you can walk around in the skates and check they fit.
#2 Get Some Lessons
You can get the hang of roller skating on your own with a lot of trial and error but taking a roller skating session and learning to skate properly makes a huge difference.
Expect less falling over if you learn how to roller skate properly!
#3 Learn How To Brake
Braking will be one of the first skating techniques you’ll master. When it comes to braking there’s a big difference between inline skates and roller skates.
Inline skates break at the back, roller skates brake at the front – don’t forget!
#4 Wear Comfortable Clothing
There are no rules for clothing when you’re roller skating – just wear something comfortable. Leggings or skinny jeans are best as you don’t want to catch any material on your skates – avoid flares!
Go for stretchy non-restrive clothing that allows lots of movement.
#5 Wear Pads And A Helmet
Safety first in any sport and I strongly recommend you wear a helmet. As a beginner, there’s more risk of falling – so wrist guards, knee pads, and elbow pads are essential equipment.
Personally, I would always wear safety equipment, even if you’re not a beginner. Remember – the faster you skate – the harder you fall!
My knees would look a lot better today if I’d worn knee pads as a child!
#6 Strength Training For Roller Skating
You don’t need to be super strong to enjoy roller skating but building up your core, leg, and ankle strength will help. Bodyweight exercises such as squats and lunges are a good place to start.
#7 Find A Good Place To Skate
You need somewhere quiet and flat to learn how to skate. Purpose-built skating rinks can be ideal or an empty car parking lot. Make sure you can brake and navigate around pedestrians before venturing into your local park.
#8 Increase Intensity To Lose Weight
If you’re roller skating for weight loss, make sure you continue to challenge yourself. As you get used to skating, the exercise will feel easier.
The downside is that when it’s easier you’re burning fewer calories. Up the tempo and calorie burn by increasing your speed and distance. Just make sure you’re not completely out of your comfort zone when you try skating faster – it’s important to skate safely.
Roller skating is a good way to lose weight. It’s a lot of fun, and it’s great exercise. You can burn a lot of calories by skating, and if you skate regularly, you’ll see results in no time.
Finding an activity you enjoy makes a big difference. If skating is your thing, combine it with a healthy diet and make it part of your weight loss journey.
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