| Inline Skates and Exercise Benefits | | | | sport, I suggest you either borrow a pair |
| | | | from a friend or rent a pair just to try it |
| Inline skating is a fun way to get in shape | | | | out, get a feel. When you're ready to buy a |
| and stay fit especially on warm sunny days | | | | pair there are a few things to look for. If |
| when it's a lot more enjoyable to exercise | | | | you're going to buy a really cheap pair I'll |
| outdoors than on a treadmill or exercise bike | | | | guarantee you that you will not enjoy inline |
| indoors at the gym. These days most cities | | | | skating. What I suggest that you buy a pair |
| have nicely paved paths through parkland, | | | | in the mid-price range. |
| beach and waterfront areas to make your | | | | |
| rollerblading experience more enjoyable. | | | | What should you look for in a pair of inline |
| Unfortunately depending on where you live, | | | | skates? The obvious being that the boot fits |
| you may not be able to or want to rollerblade | | | | your feet properly in a pair of sports socks. |
| all year round. | | | | If you feel the boot rubbing against your |
| | | | ankles or your toes rubbing inside the boot, |
| There are many benefits to be derived from | | | | try another pair because ill-fitted boots |
| inline skating. It's much easier and safer on | | | | will result in blisters and soar feet. Just |
| the knees and back than jogging since your | | | | like a badly fitting pair of running shoes. |
| legs aren't taking as much pounding against a | | | | |
| hard surface. You don't have to travel as far | | | | I prefer laces for the boot with one plastic |
| as cycling to get maximum benefits. Along | | | | or velcro strap at the top and soft boots |
| with a great cardiovascular workout, blading | | | | with plastic heel and bottom moldings for |
| provides you with a fantastic lower body | | | | extra support. Soft boots with no plastic |
| workout by strengthening and toning your | | | | molding support usually give way to your |
| thighs, gluteus, calves and hamstrings. It's | | | | ankle over time. Wheels should be in the |
| like doing thousands of lunges using your own | | | | 76-78mm range. 80mm is too big a wheel for |
| body weight without even realizing it or | | | | most people. Look for bearings with ABEC 4-5. |
| getting bored! | | | | Most quality inline skates come with ABEC 5 |
| | | | bearings nowadays anyway. |
| I also recommend that you combine blading | | | | |
| with strength training exercises with weights | | | | I've tried several different makes of inline |
| such as leg extensions, leg presses and calf | | | | skates over the years. I find I like K2 the |
| raises to name a few. This will ensure that | | | | best and highly recommend them. I like their |
| your muscles and bones remain strong and it | | | | sleek design, they fit my feet very well and |
| helps to prevent any possible injuries from | | | | have great support. K2s are also very |
| occurring. | | | | comfortable and light in weight. Ultra Wheels |
| | | | are also very good and I hear that Salomon |
| Before you begin inline skating for the day, | | | | are quality blades too. |
| you may want to do a little bit of light | | | | |
| stretching particularly focusing on your | | | | Inline skates are easy to maintain. The |
| thighs and hamstrings. Right now there is | | | | wheels need to be rotated every once in a |
| debate over whether or not to stretch before | | | | while to prevent uneven wearing out. So if |
| exercising. I believe you should do what | | | | you use them 3 times a week, monthly is fine |
| feels best for you. Also, the first few | | | | or take a look for how much wear there is on |
| minutes should be done at a slower pace as a | | | | the wheels. The bearings need to be |
| warm up for your muscles. | | | | lubricated too. I do this by removing the |
| | | | wheel bearings assembly and wiping the |
| I find that roller blading is extremely safe | | | | surface of any dirt and then spraying the |
| once you get proficient at it. Rarely will | | | | entire wheel bearing assembly with lubricant. |
| you fall by yourself. If you do, it's usually | | | | I don't remove the bearings from the assembly |
| a result of your surroundings. No different | | | | casing any more since I find very little dirt |
| than cycling or walking on a sidewalk. To | | | | gets in there and it's a lot of work. |
| prevent injuries and scrapes, you may wish to | | | | |
| purchase elbow, wrist and knee pads plus a | | | | In this article I've discussed the |
| helmet. | | | | cardiovascular and strength training benefits |
| | | | associated with inline skating. What you |
| What should you look for when buying a pair | | | | should look for when purchasing a pair of |
| of inline skates? If you're new to this | | | | inline skates and their proper maintenance. |