How to learn to rollerblade from scratch if you are not 10 years old

Not everyone likes to skate on roller skates. There are many reasons and excuses: from the banal “it’s difficult” to the more interesting “I don’t like roller skates because it’s inconvenient to ride them on the subway”. Most likely, the fault is childhood fears and bruises with abrasions, which you received during the first attempts.

Let’s get away from psychoanalysis and figure out how to get on rollerblades when you have a job, loans and a couple of kids under your belt.

Step 1: Get fit

The right thing to do before you try a new activity is to tighten up your physical fitness. It absolutely doesn’t matter if you are exercising now or not. When you are challenged to learn a new motor skill, it is always unusual and out of the ordinary.

Rollerblading can well be called a difficult-coordination activity. This means that at first you will have to focus on training the vestibular apparatus and concentrate on multi-movements or exercises on a movable support.

We do not recommend skipping this step.

Step 2: Choose your equipment

Whatever you do should be a positive experience. Start by going to the store and let yourself choose the outfit that is beautiful, comfortable and pleasant to the touch. Laugh it up, but tactility is very important in sports and outdoor activities. Remember that you want to ride for yourself, not for others. So increased attention to your own preferences is mandatory at this stage. The main thing – do not forget about the helmet and elbow and knee protection. It will be necessary.

Read more about how to choose roller skates in the article at the link.

Step 3: Practice at home

This may sound ridiculous to some, but until you’ve picked a trainer (that’s the next step, wait for it), a good way to combat yourself and your insecurities about skating would be to practice roller skating at home. “What’s that?” – you ask. And we’ll give you a hint: you put on your cool skates, stand on a carpet or yoga mat, and try to first just stand, and then take short steps. Next, you try squatting and lifting your feet off the floor.

Rollerline freeskiing school head.

Yes, it makes sense to do it that way because it’s interesting. You bought the rollers, a little “impatient” and try it at home. What really matters here is what surface you try it on: slippery (floor or asphalt) or not (carpet or grass outside).

It is better to try it at home on a mat first, and then go out on a normal surface.

This way, your inner fear will go away and your confidence in the movements will grow.

Step 4: Find a trainer

And now you’re almost ready to plow the expanses of asphalt and tiles of your city, but wait, it’s too early.

For the best progress, confidence building and absolute safety, you’ll have to find yourself a coach, a mentor, a teacher (emphasis needed). No tutorials, manuals, instructions for use and other auxiliary literature will help. Only the word of a master, his tips and secrets will give you the answers to all your questions and become the basis of correct skating technique.

Alexander: Of course, you can do without a trainer, but if you are not 10 years old anymore, it will be easier, faster and safer with a trainer. Firstly, the coach will support you on exercises. Secondly, he will show you the correct technique so that you don’t hurt yourself. He knows in what order you should learn the exercises so that it is safe. Among other things, it’s also fun. So you went out on the rollers, you skated “forward”, you didn’t fall, then you went “wall to wall”. And what’s next, you know? But the instructor knows that there is also “flashlight”, “scooter”, “diversity”, “half-balance”. That you can go on the steps, and you can go off the hill. So roller skating turns into an exciting adventure.

Besides, sensei will be able to analyze your mistakes, record your successes on camera, and also suggest ways of further development.

Step 5: Practice

You’ll probably say that the previous step was the last one, but let me tell you. The great Bruce Lee said, “I’m not afraid of someone who studies 10,000 different punches. I’m afraid of someone who learns one punch 10,000 times.”

All you have to do is practice. Go everywhere and every day, put on and take off your rollers all the time, take them on trips and to grandma’s house in the country (yes, there are tracks there too, especially if she lives in California). Gather your friends, put them on rollerblades, especially since you already know the technique.

The most important thing is desire. Then age will not play a big role. As soon as you try to stand on the rollers and begin to make the first successes, everything will go your way. Skate a lot, enjoy the sun and collect a charge of positive emotions. And maybe even the looks of passers-by who will turn around to look at your cool rollers.