Rollerblading

[lisa_teacher]

Hi everyone,

I've never been rollerblading before but it's something I'd like to try. I'm not a small girl and I'm wondering if it's something I'll even be able to do? Are there skates made for bigger people?

 

[yesteach]

yep...

My daughter Rollerblades and she's not "small." She says that if you can roller skate or ice skate you can Rollerblade. The only difference in roller skating and Rollerblading (according to her) is that it takes more strength in your ankles (more like ice skating).

You can get skates in any adult size, so that shouldn't be an issue.

Good luck!

 

[Penny]

try it!

It's a great workout! Anyone can do it--there's no size limit.

You might want to try rollerblading at an indoor rink first. You should be able to rent blades for a small additional fee. You can see if you like rollerblading with no commitment and you'll be in a safe place with quality skates the first time around. Many rinks have adult nights. They're less crowded and you don't have to worry about little kids falling in front of you and tripping you up.

To buy decent blades, you'll have to spend around $100 or so. (I haven't researched this for a while.) The ones that cost $20-$40 are poor quality and difficult to skate with unless you're 100 lb kid.

Have fun!

 

[Elyssa]

I would say be very careful!

I ice skated and roller skated all the time when I was younger (up to my twenties). Then, when I was in my late thirties, I decided to try roller skating again. I nearly killed myself! Unlike bike riding, the ability did not magically return and I almost ruined my knees, not to mention the ground is a LOT further down when you fall and my balance was not nearly the same quality as it used to be.

If you are young and in good shape, go for it, but I would also be careful of roller rinks, because kids and teens zip around and don't pay much attention to learners. Make sure you use a helmet, elbow and knee pads, and wrist braces. Good luck.

 

[LindaR]

Go for it!

I'm in my 50s and have rollerbladed since my early 40s It was scary at first because rollerblades go A LOT faster than the 4-wheelers I grew up on! Amazingly, I have NEVER fallen. Weight should not be an issue, as long as you're wearing adult skates

I've been very tempted to bring my skates to school, so that I can get around a lot quicker (or maybe I should buy those shoe-skates...)

I would suggest to get padded up (knees and head, esp. and don't forget your rump!).... I know, I know, you'll probably look like a roller derby queen, but who's going to know who you are with all that gear covering you up?

Start out in the grass to get a "feel" for the way you need to stand. I think the important part is to make sure your ankles have good support, so you're not bowlegged (in or out). You might also try out your skating on carpet. I remember "zooming" around the sports store (where I tried on the skates) on their carpet. That gave me more of a feel and confidence.

Lastly, I practiced on flat cement surface in front of my house. The street was smoother than the sidewalk. I went VERY SLOWLY and picked up more speed when I felt more confortable. It took awhile for me to learn how to stop and make turns that didn't go around the whole block!

Go for it and you'll develop confidence. WANTING TO TRY is the first step! Just be careful to avoid the small rocks that could jam the wheels and cause a problem. Have fun and let us know how your "maiden flight" is!

LindaR

 

[Mr. X]

I bought myself inline skates about ten years ago. My kids were really into it, and I thought I'd join in with the fun.

I used mine for a while and I enjoyed it, but I haven't done it lately. The indoor rinks are nice, but I found them to be way too loud for my taste. Skating outdoors during nice weather is another option, but I found that the wheels that came with my skates weren't well-suited for outdoor skating. I have all-purpose wheels, but it isn't the most comfortable feeling going over little pits or rough spots in the concrete. Younger legs are able to handle this, but my 40+ legs couldn't!

If you decide that you mostly want to skate mostly for fun indoors at roller rinks, you can probably get away with inexpensive skates.
If you decide that you want to skate outdoors, it is worth investing extra for wheels that are designed for this (I never did). Happy skating!