How to Get in Shape to Roller Skate

If you haven't been on a pair of roller skates since you were a kid, you might have forgotten that it can be a demanding workout. Skating requires plenty of leg strength as well as core strength for stabilizing your body and keeping you from falling. Simply stepping into a pair of skates and heading out to a stretch of flat pavement will help you develop the strength and agility you need for roller skating -- but you can also help your cause by doing some activities that will enhance your aerobic fitness and build strength.

Instructions

    • 1

      Complete a 30-minute cardio session 3 to 4 days a week, which can include biking, walking, jogging, swimming or anything that gets your heart pumping faster. Over time, this will improve your aerobic fitness and make skating for longer periods seem much easier. Warm up before each workout by walking or jogging slowly for 5 to 10 minutes.

    • 2

      Look for other ways to add more cardio to your day. Walk up the stairs to your office, bicycle to work or start a workplace walking program. Any extra cardio you can add will help you improve your level of fitness.

    • 3

      Do strength-training exercises using all of your main muscle groups 2 days a week. Go to a gym and use the weight machines that work the quadriceps and hamstrings of the legs -- muscles that are crucial for skating -- as well as machines for the arms and core muscles of the shoulders and back. Building this muscular strength will make it easier to skate and to overcome hurdles such as curbs. If you don't have access to a gym, do push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, squats and lunges that will help you build strength.

    • 4

      Locate a roller rink in your area that offers skating lessons. Once you've developed some baseline strength and endurance, the natural next step is to start skating on a regular basis. Classes at indoor rinks often include lessons on stopping, speed skating and turning -- all skills you'll want to have if you're serious about roller skating.

    • 5

      Try a "boot camp" offered by a local roller derby team if you don't have a rink that offers classes in your area. Small and large towns across the United States have men's and women's derby teams, many of which offer a training camp ahead of tryouts. You won't be the only beginner skater there, and you'll likely get lots of practice in basic skating techniques by attending.