We now know that inline skating is a super effective workout. You actually combine cardio and strength training and burn quite a few calories; an hour of rollerblading is even equivalent to an hour of jogging. However, it is very important to maintain proper posture while doing the sport.
Why skateboarding is healthy
Rollerblading is very healthy for you for several reasons. For one, it is the ideal sport if you don’t want to put too much strain on your joints. A study from the University of Massachusetts shows that you put fifty percent less strain on your joints while rollerblading than while running – while burning the same number of calories. It is also good for your mood: if you skate outside, your body absorbs vitamin D and you can enjoy the surroundings. Do you do it with someone? Then you can have twice as much fun!
But last but not least, and perhaps the reason why so many are dusting off their old skates again these days, is that it makes you stronger: your core and buttock muscles get a big workout while inline skating. And because you need your arms to balance, they get a little workout too! Hence, rollerblading is the perfect combination between cardio and strength training.
The importance of correct posture
In rollerblading, both your technique and posture are crucial. With the right technique you can make speed much easier. Power when pushing off is obviously important, but without a good technique you use up a lot of energy unnecessarily. Your posture also plays a major role in preventing back problems.
The perfect posture
When rollerblading, try to get your knees to an angle of about 90 degrees as much as possible. Your lower legs do not have to be perfectly vertical in this regard, but can point slightly forward, causing your ankles to bend slightly forward as well. This causes your knees to move slightly past your feet. Your upper legs are almost horizontal in this process. It is important that you keep most of your weight on your heels, because you apply the most force from there. This posture is somewhat similar to that of a squat.
Once you’ve mastered the basics of your stance, you can focus on your back. Unlike in squats, where your back is straight or slightly hollow, in rollerblading you should actually be hunched over. This helps you stay closer to the ground, have a streamlined posture, and push off more powerfully. To achieve this, tilt your pelvis back slightly, giving your back a slight bulge.