Rollerblading for Beginners

Rollerblading can be a wonderful, fun form of exercise, as well as a test of balance. In-line skating has increased in popularity over the years, and is, for many, a very enjoyable sport. Before you begin learning to rollerblade, there are some tips and safety guidelines you should follow.

Before you can do anything, you'll need to purchase a good pair of rollerblades. There are many different types and brands to choose from when it comes to rollerblades. Try on different pairs in the store. You should also try standing while wearing each pair. Rollerblades that feel like they fit great while sitting down can turn out to be too small or put unwanted pressure on your ankles and toes when you stand. A good pair of rollerblades should feel sturdy and secure and should fit much like a shoe around your foot.

Safety gear is also very important for the beginner. Shoulder pads, knee pads, a properly fitting helmet and wrist guards provide you with maximum protection. Remember that it is possible and quite probable that you will fall at least once while learning to rollerblade, so it's important that you protect yourself.

Location is very important for the rollerblading beginner. It can be the difference between an enjoyable learning experience and a stressful, possibly disastrous experience. Choose a location where there aren't going to be lots of people present. Many other skaters and onlookers can make a learning individual nervous, and can make him or her more likely to fall. Pick a location with a flat, paved surface. This is very important. Since the individual is still learning to rollerblade, a place with many inclines and curves are not safe places to learn. Places like basketball courts or vacant parking lots are great for learning to rollerblade.

There are four basic maneuvers that need to be learned before you can become a good skater. Standing is the first. If you can't stand on your rollerblades, you aren't going to get very far. Have a friend help you to your feet, and hold onto something until you can steady yourself. Bend your knees, putting the weight of your body on the balls of your feet. You should lean forward a bit and hold your hands out in front of you to stable your balance. Bend forwards slightly at the waist and slowly separate your feet. Hold it for a few minutes. Don't do anything more until you feel completely comfortable in this position.

The next basic maneuver is the heel stop. Before you go speeding off into the distance, you need to know how to stop yourself before a tree does that for you. The brake on most in-line skates is on the rear of the right skate. Move your right foot forward. Once again, bend at the knees and slightly at the waist. Apply pressure to the heal of your right skate, which will employ the brake.

Turning is the next step. Once you've successfully learned to stand and stop, you don't want to be limited to skating in a straight line. Turning in rollerblades is a matter of shifting your weight while maintaining balance. To make a right turn, push off with both skates, until you gain a little speed. Put pressure on the ball of your right foot by pushing down with your big toe. Shift your weight towards the outside of your right foot, keep your feet together, and coast to a stop. To make a left turn, follow all of the above instruction, but use your left foot instead.

Now that you know how to stand, stop, and turn in your in-line skates, striding and gliding is the next step. This is the fun part. To glide, stand in a staggered position with your right skate out in front of the left. With the inside edge of your left skate, push forward to gain a bit of speed. This is how you stride. While your left skate is still off the ground, put all of your weight on the ball of your right foot. This is your first glide. Circle your left foot back to the starting position on the ground next to your right skate. Repeat this maneuver using your right foot in place of the left, the left in place of the right. This is the last step to learning basic rollerblading. Once you've become comfortable with these simple steps, take off and enjoy yourself!