Roller Blades for Beginners

Rollerblading is a fun way to get around and exercise. Rollerblades, also known as inline skates, were invented in the early 1980s by Scott Olson, a hockey player and the founder of the Rollerblade company. Unlike skates with side-by-side wheels, these skates feature wheels one behind the other down the center. Rollerblading is easy to learn, and once you have skates and safety equipment, there are no other costs involved in pursuing the sport.

  1. Safety

    • When you begin learning to rollerblade, you are going to fall down. Proper safety equipment helps prevent serious injury. Always wear a helmet, wrist guards and knee and elbow pads designed for rollerblading. Fractured wrists are the most common rollerblading injury, according to Texas A&M University; wrist guards will help absorb the shock of a fall.
      Choose a flat, paved location for your first expeditions. Try to pick a time when the pavement is dry and the area isn't crowded, and give yourself plenty of room to maneuver.

    Equipment

    • If you've never rollerbladed before, it's probably a good idea to rent or borrow equipment before you invest in boots and safety gear. Look for a bicycle or skate shop that rents gear, and take the time to get properly fitted with everything you need. The boots should fit snugly; a boot that is too big leads to blisters and makes it harder to maneuver. The helmet should sit snugly on your head, and the strap should fit firmly under your chin.
      When you're ready to buy equipment, you may be able to find good-quality used rollerblades at resale shops or even garage sales. When buying used equipment, make sure that everything fits well, and that there are no cracks or damage.

    Getting started

    • Practice walking around in your rollerblades to get a feel for how to balance yourself over the wheels. Start with a few simple glides, and practice stopping. If you stop too abruptly, you can be thrown off balance, so get a feel for how much pressure to apply to the toe stop in order to glide to a halt. When you're comfortable stopping, you can work on turning. Master these movements on a flat surface such as a paved parking lot before you progress to sloped surfaces and faster speeds.