Is Roller Skating a Good Workout?

Did you know that roller skating is recognised and recommended by the American Heart Association as an aerobic fitness sport? You can lose up to 285 calories for roller skating at a steady, comfortable rate for 30 minutes. Sounds intriguing doesn't it?

Roller skating has been around for centuries, and its recent comeback makes it a great option for anyone looking for an enjoyable and effective way to get fit. Not only is it a great cardio workout, but roller skating also helps to burn calories, build muscle, and improve balance. Plus, it's a low-impact activity, so it's easy on your joints.

You can roller skate at home or at the rink, so it's convenient no matter where you are. So if you're looking for a fun and effective way to stay in shape, look no further than roller skating!

5 Top Health Benefits Of Roller Skating

Roller skating is an enjoyable and effective way to stay fit and has a ton of other surprising health benefits. 

According to experts these are the top 5 health benefits of roller blading:

• Rollerskating strengthens your heart: moderate roller skating will increase your heart rate to 140-160 beats per minute. Pick up the pace and you can reach up to 180 beats per minute. Sounds like a great cardio workout to me! Roller blading can strengthen your heart muscle and improve circulation which means a decreased chance of cardiovascular disease. Research have proven that roller skating works every muscle in the body and especially the heart.
• Rollerskating is a low-impact exercise: because this activity is focussed on gliding it puts a minimal amount of pressure on the joints. Therefore it's considered a low impact form of exercise. Skating causes less than 50 percent of the impact on joints compared to running.
• Rollerskating strengthens and tones muscles in the body: it is a great way to engage your upper and lower body muscles and to build muscle definition and strength. Muscles like the calves, hamstrings, quads, glutes and arms are engaged while roller blading. Plus, it's an amazing way to get an effective workout for your core. Another group of muscles that are strengthened with skating are the stabiliser muscles (rotator cuff and lower back). These muscles are responsible for supporting the body and if these muscles are strong it can reduce the chance of injury during workouts and other daily activities.
• Rollerskating improves balance, coordination and agility: a stronger core means better posture, balance and coordination. A 2021 review in the Orthopaedic Health Journal motivates that exercises that target the core muscles have been shown to improve functional mobility and balance amongst adults.
• Rollerskating boosts mental health: physical activities has been known to significantly improve your mood. Roller skating is no different. Engaging in a fun cardio activity releases a ton of happy hormones called dopamine which means it can have a profound effect on your mental and emotional well-being.

Which Roller Blades Are the Best for Exercising?

There are a lot of different roller blade brands and models on the market, which can make it hard to choose the right pair for you. However, there are a few things you can keep in mind when choosing a pair of roller blades for exercising.

First, you'll want to make sure that the roller blades are comfortable and fit well. You should also consider the type of terrain you'll be skating on and whether you need extra support or padding.

Additionally, it's important to choose a pair of roller blades that are durable and can stand up to regular use. With so many different factors to consider, it can be tough to choose the best roller blades for exercising.

There are two main types of roller skates to choose from:

1. Quad Skates
2. In-line skates

Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to choose the right pair for your needs.

Quad skates are the classic type of roller skate, and they’re great for beginners. They’re stable and easy to control, and they can be used for a variety of skating styles. Inline skates are more advanced, and they’re better for speed and agility. They can be harder to control, but they’re great for experienced skaters.

So which type of skate is right for you? It all depends on your skating level and what you're looking for in a skate. If you're just starting out, quad skates might be the better option for you.

Roller Skating Is A Great Way To Lose Weight

The benefits of roller skating are many, but one of the best is that it can help you lose weight. If you're looking for a fun and effective way to shed some kilos, rollerskating is a great option.

Did you know that one hour of roller skating can help you to burn between 330-600 calories?

The faster you roll the more calories you will burn. This means it's a brilliant activity for those of you who would like to lose weight and slim down.  Another advantage of skating is that it's fun and social. If you're not one of those that likes to go to the gym or jogging alone, then roller skating is a great activity to motivate you to reach your fitness and weight loss goals.

The rhythmic motion of the skates combined with the side-to-side motion of your arms provides an excellent workout for your entire body. You can also tone your legs and abs at the same time. And, because skating is a low-impact activity, it's easy on your joints and muscles.

Here are a few tips for losing weight while roller blading:

• Skate for long distances: skating for an hour or more at a time will help you burn a lot of calories and lose weight. You can also skate up hills to really challenge yourself and burn even more calories.
• Do some movements while in motion: shed a few more pounds and tone more muscle by adding some movements while you are roller blading. Get loose weights and do some arm exercises while in motion or if you are one of those people that likes to be a bit more daring you can do movements like lunges and pushups. Even twisting and turning or moving up and down will do the trick.
• Interval skating: just like with other exercises, interval training, is a really effective way to lose weight. You can alternate between moderate speed and high speed. Try skating at a moderate speed for three minutes then kick-start your blades to move at a high speed for 30 seconds. This will get your heart rate up which means you will be burning more fat and toning more muscles.

Furthermore, there are a few other suggestions that you can implement into your routine to lose weight more efficiently whilst rollerblading, they are:

• Eating healthy: fill your diet with fresh fruits and vegetables. Stay away from foods and products that contain refined sugars and white flour. Processed foods are also a big culprit and is best to stay away from.
• Set goals: it's easier to work toward something if you know what that something is. So, set some goals that you can smash them!
• Get an exercise buddy or create a group: for some folks it's easier and more fun to exercise with a friend or a group. Get your friends together and create a skating date for 2-3 times a week. This will also help you to set realistic goals and stick to a routine.

Roller blading is a ton of fun and a great way to stay motivated and keep on track with your workout routine. If you want to lose weight it's essential to maintain a regular exercise routine as well as eating healthy. 

Roller Skate Classes

If you need a bit more motivation you might be thinking of hiring a personal instructor to give you the appropriate tips and tricks to lose weight as effectively as possible. If you are a beginner roller skater this can be especially helpful to learn how to roller blade quickly so that you can jump into an exercise routine that can help you reach your goals. Whether you would like to build muscle definition, lose weight or do it as a general exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle, getting a personal tutor can guide and help you to reach your goals quicker.

Where can you find a professional roller skater teacher?

Look no further than Superprof! Superprof has millions of instructors in various subjects including roller skating to educate and help you.

Roller skating is a fantastic way to stay active and have fun at the same time!

With its many health benefits, roller skating is an increasingly popular form of exercise, so lace up those skates and hit the rink to jumpstart your journey to a healthier lifestyle today!