10 Benefits of Rollerblading

If you regularly rollerblade, you already understand the myriad health benefits of this fantastic sport. For a newcomer, however, the reasons to stick with rollerblading may not be so obvious. It can have a bit of a learning curve, and, like any new exercise, it takes a little bit of hard work while your body adjusts. If you’re looking for a reason to stick with the sport, or to get started with it, here are ten benefits of rollerblading.

10 Benefits Of Rollerblading

1. Increase Your Heart Rate

Rollerblading can be as intense of a cardio workout as you want it to be. Even just slowly skating will burn more calories and get your heart pumping faster than a walk.

To judge how intensely you’re riding, you can get a heart rate strap and monitor and track your beats per minute during your workout. Ideally, you want to stay under your maximum heart rate, which can be calculated by subtracting your age from 220. If you are looking to improve your fitness level, even just elevating your heart rate for 30 minutes three times a week can be beneficial.

2. Build Muscle

When you balance on your skates or lift your skate to move forward, you use a variety of muscles. From your calves to your abs, skating is an excellent anaerobic activity. Skating alone can help with both building and toning muscles.

When you’re just getting started, you may also want to incorporate a little extra strength training into your daily routine, as well. If you notice you’re having trouble with balance or feeling weak as you skate, you can work to correct this with squats and sit-ups. Spending a little time strength training each day will help rollerblading feel that much easier.

3. Improve Your Balance And Flexibility

One side effect of strengthening those muscles is that it leaves your core stronger than it was before. And a strong core generally equates to a good balance. Rollerblading also helps improve your flexibility, keeping your joints loose and less injury-prone.

Flexibility can be a real struggle for those who lead sedentary lifestyles, and rollerblading is a fun and enjoyable way to work on that– no yoga classes required.

4. Get Meditative

Putting one foot in front of the other and focusing on what’s in front of you can help take your mind off the stresses of daily life for a while. It produces an almost meditative-like state that better enables you to cope with difficult situations and to sort through your thoughts later on.

By giving your brain some downtime, you will return from your skate session feeling refreshed and ready to go. Indeed, it sometimes even feels as if our brains work differently during exercise such as rollerblading. Just be sure to stay alert of traffic and others on the sidewalk or trail.

5. Lower Impact

Running is another great cardio activity, but it’s one that is extremely hard on the joints. The high-impact nature of running turns a lot of people off the sport for fear of injuring their knees or other sensitive areas.

Rollerblading, on the other hand, provides similar cardiovascular benefits to jogging but without that constant impact on the pavement. Your skates absorb a great deal of the shock, helping protect your body.

It is worth noting, however, that not all skates are created equal– some models are better at absorbing impact than others. If you are sensitive to road vibrations, look into a model that will help reduce this.

6. Time Outdoors

Unless you skate exclusively at a roller rink, rollerblading gives you an opportunity to spend some time outside. Time outdoors can lead to less depression and anxiety. It also leads to Vitamin D exposure, which our bodies need.

Sometimes a little bit of time spent outside is all we need to reset our brains, improve our focus, and elevate our mood.

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7. Increase Bone Density

Rollerblading is considered a weight-bearing cardiovascular activity, and those are believed to help boost bone density. If you have a naturally small frame or have a family history of osteoporosis, taking part in activities that increase bone density while young can help prevent health issues later in life.

8. Get To Places Faster

If you’re in a hurry, rollerblading will get you to your destination much faster than walking would. It’s comparable, really, to riding your bike, but some might say that it’s an even better full-body workout.

9. Easy To Do Alone Or With Others

Rollerblading can be a fun solo activity, providing you with valuable time for introspection and relaxation. It can also be a great group activity, allowing everyone a chance to socialize and be active together.

10. Grow Your Confidence

As you improve in your rollerblading, your self-confidence will grow, too. This is especially true when your usual route suddenly becomes easier or you start completing it faster.

Watching yourself make progress is a huge confidence booster.

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Final Thoughts

Now that you know just how beneficial rollerblading can be, get out there and get skating. Thank you for reading our article on the ten benefits of rollerblading!