Roller skating isn’t just for kids or adrenaline-chasing teens—it’s a full-body workout and a joyful activity that people over 40 can absolutely benefit from. Whether you’re looking to boost your physical fitness, improve balance and coordination, or simply find a fun way to de-stress, roller skating offers a low-impact but highly effective form of exercise. If you're over 40 and wondering if roller skating is right for you, the answer is a resounding yes. It’s never too late to roll into better health. 🛼
- Helps burn calories
- Increases muscle definition
- Boosts your mood and mental health
- Improves your balance
- Strengthens your heart
- Prevents injuries
- Improves your coordination
- Improves your fitness level
- Low-impact exercise
- Minimizes the risk of diabetes
Benefits of Adult Roller Skating
When you think roller skating, the images that pop up in your head probably include young people gliding down sidewalks and boardwalks near beaches. At least, that's what we see in Hollywood movies. But, in reality, roller skating can be nerve-racking. You can fall, get back up, fall again, hurt yourself, and continue. In short, it has a steep learning curve!
If you want to influence your other friends, let them know that this is possible- and if you want to bring your kid or grandkid with you on this journey, check out some roller skating classes for toddlers for them, too! Want to know why you should learn roller skating even if you're above 40? Here are some benefits of roller skating for adults:
Roller Skating Will Help Burn Excessive Calories
It's a fact that losing weight requires you to burn more calories than you take in. To put it simply, you'll need a negative calorie deficit if you want to lose weight. Though there are several ways you can choose to drop fat, if you want to decrease weight without getting bored, skating is an option. Running and walking are undoubtedly more effective ways to burn off excess calories. However, these approaches can be boring to some. And if you're a new runner or walker, your passion for losing weight will fade away soon.
Just one hour of moderate roller skating burns 330 calories for a 143-pound person. If that same person roller skates vigorously, he or she will burn up to 590 calories in an hour. The number of calories burned per hour while skating at 6 mph is 350, and 600 while skating at 10 mph.
On the contrary, roller skating is fun and among the most efficient forms of exercise. Moreover, both outdoor and indoor roller skating help with calorie loss because of their cardiovascular benefits. Not only will it make you sweaty, but if you're skating every day and following a balanced diet, it will positively impact your weight loss journey. Therefore, rollerblading to get slim is a no-brainer. Regardless of your age and body type, you'll burn calories when skating. And if you want to speed up the process, find yourself professional lessons.
But How Many Calories On Average Will You Burn Roller Skating?
If you skate for 30 minutes, you'll burn around 252 calories on average. So, for instance, if you skate for 30 minutes seven days a week, you'll burn about 1764 calories every week. Keeping this routine up alongside a feasible healthy diet will enable you to make significant progress on your weight loss journey.
Roller skating has a metabolic cost of about 6.0–7.0 calories per minute.
Increases Muscle Definition
Apart from dropping weight over 3 to 4 months of regular roller skating, you can also build and tone your muscle definition. The more you skate, the faster you will notice improved muscle formation. Roller skating isn't only a cardio workout; in fact, it's more than that!
Roller skating helps work a range of different muscles as you swerve from side to side, trying to maintain your balance.
It helps you firm up and flex your:
- Glutes
- Abs
- Thighs
- Calves
Skating involves turning, bending, and twisting as you move around corners and turns. And because of these actions, your backside will become firm and well-defined. According to a report, it is an effective way to build strength, particularly for adults, in the lower body muscles. If you've undergone intense roller skating sessions, you'll actually start to feel parts of your body that you couldn't feel before. For example, your thighs, hamstrings, and quads will feel the toll from moving your legs backwards and forward.
The first part of the body that you'll probably see toning up is the calves. Having strengthened calves from roller skating is typical as it's the part that sees plenty of action. They help stabilize the Achilles tendon that supports your ankle as you perform your rollerblading or roller skating exercises. If you're overweight, then it will take some time to see these changes. However, once you manage to lose a few pounds, you'll look a lot toned and leaner. Better coordination and strong muscles will help you prevent injuries and remain limber and active as you get older. If this has convinced you already, check out roller skating NJ classes or those near you.
Boost Your Mood and Mental Health
Every sport requires steadfast dedication and a lot of time to master; however, few sports provide unique fun like rollerblading. Have you ever seen anyone Rollerblade with a frown on their face? Probably not! That's because, between the breeze, social perks, sunlight, music, and health benefits, rollerblading is also the most exciting workout you can do every day of the week.
Apart from the many health benefits of roller skating, it also improves mental health. You will experience a boost to your self-esteem and a sense of achievement when you learn to skate properly. This way, you'll alleviate your daily stress and eventually live a healthy and happy life. Everyone needs a way to de-stress and seek purpose. Skating can provide that for you.
Improves Balance
Most people have a naturally attuned balance; however, many others don't. It can influence how you walk, sit, jump, and navigate your surroundings. Improving your skating skills can easily help you improve your everyday posture, balance, and overall health. Hence, having the right balance is crucial; it minimizes energy levels when doing routine activities such as sitting and walking.
In addition to that, it helps combat fatigue. And since balance is a crucial part of roller skating, you'll learn many roller skating tips and tricks once you fine-tune your center of gravity.
Roller skating and rollerblading help improve balance in your body.
When skating, you primarily use your abdominal and lower back muscles to glide backwards and forward.
Apart from that, roller skating also compels you to maintain a stable core to stay upright – an ideal recipe if you want to get a better balance.
Roller skating also strengthens your leg muscles, particularly the calves, quads, and hamstrings, as they work to propel you forward. This continuous movement helps develop both coordination and control, which further enhances overall stability and agility.
Strengthen Your Heart
Around one in four deaths in the US are caused by heart disease. It's one of the most prevalent and deadly diseases in the US and worldwide. Heart disease includes strokes, heart attacks, and several other associated illnesses – all extraordinarily damaging and may cause premature death.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., claiming the lives of 941,652 Americans in 2022. This represents an increase of over 10,000 deaths compared to 2021. In 2022, heart disease accounted for about 21% of all deaths in the U.S.
As per one report, around 787,000 people in the US die prematurely from heart disease. Unfortunately, the death ratio of patients is increasing alarmingly because of factors such as stress etc. Roller skating, rollerblading, and inline skating strengthen your heart. It's one of the most effective aerobic workouts, as per the American Heart Association. Keep in mind that a moderate rollerblading and roller skating session will enhance your heart rate from 141 to 161 beats/minute. Moreover, if you partake in intense skating sessions, such as roller derby or speed skating, you can increase your heartbeat to 180 beats per minute.
Prevent Injuries
Believe it or not, roller skating, inline skating, and rollerblading are some of the most secure workouts. It may seem unpopular, but skating is a lot safer than walking or even running. And if you're wondering if we are referring to scrapes and falls that you may get from skating, you're mistaken. We're talking about the typical joint and muscle injuries that people get from playing sports. Walking and running may cause significant damage to the joints, particularly the knees. If you aren't careful enough, you may cause a permanent injury. And that's where skating differs from many other sports. Every kind of skating is low-impact. Do you want to know why?
It offers you fluid motion as opposed to the jerk-inducing movements caused by walking, dancing, running, and aerobics, keeping you safe from damaging your joints. To put it simply, with roller skating, you'll be able to achieve the same outcomes that you get while walking and running, but without the severe impact. In addition, it enables you to create fun movements with your body, similar to dancing, Zumba, or capoeira. Many studies have proved over time that roller skating has 50% less impact on your joints than running and dancing. As a result, it is one of the most valuable and effective workouts, and it doesn't take a toll on your joints either.
Improved Coordination
Roller skating requires balance, agility, and control — all of which contribute to enhanced coordination. For adults over 40, maintaining coordination is essential in preventing falls and injuries in everyday life. Skating regularly helps your body and mind stay in sync, making you more aware of your movements. Over time, this can improve your posture and response time, benefiting not only your skating but also your daily activities like walking, climbing stairs, or carrying groceries.
Better Fitness
If you're putting your skates on for the fitness benefits that the activity offers, then you'll be pleased with the results. Roller skating is a full-body aerobic workout, as it strengthens your legs, core, and even your upper body as you balance and move.
Roller skating is a full-body aerobic workout, as it strengthens your legs, core, and even your upper body as you balance and move.
Skating for 30–60 minutes can burn hundreds of calories, contributing to weight management and improved cardiovascular health.
So, if you've been looking to shed some extra pounds, this might just be the most enjoyable way to do so.
It also boosts stamina, which is important for staying active and independent as you age. Unlike repetitive gym routines, skating adds an element of excitement to your exercise routine, making it easier to stay committed to your fitness goals.
Low-Impact Exercise
One of the major concerns for people over 40 is joint pain. Activities like running can be hard on the knees and hips. Roller skating, however, is considered a low-impact sport. The gliding motion reduces the stress placed on joints while still giving your muscles a good workout. This makes skating a great option for adults who want to stay active without aggravating existing injuries or joint conditions. It’s also suitable for those who are just getting back into physical activity after a break.
Minimizes the Risk of Diabetes
Physical activity plays a crucial role in managing blood sugar levels. Roller skating, when done consistently, helps regulate insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It improves circulation, encourages weight loss, and supports a healthier metabolism. For adults already living with prediabetes or diabetes, skating can be an enjoyable and effective way to manage the condition, especially when combined with a balanced diet and regular medical checkups.
Roller Skating Tips
Although roller skating is permissible for people of all ages, there are subtle differences regarding how older people and kids should tackle it. Nevertheless, here are some essential tips on roller skating that you should keep in mind when practicing at home or in the park:
- Learning to roller skate will be a more time-consuming task for adults than younger people, primarily because at a young age, muscle memory develops. On the other hand, in adulthood or above 40, the muscles are acclimated to very particular actions. Hence, you'll take an extended period to learn even the basics of skating, such as how to get up on the knees, etc.
- Be very cautious. That's because as you grow older, your bones become fragile and brittle. So, if you're attempting any stunt or trick, make sure to wear rigid padding and wrist guards. Also, ensure the place you skate at is safe because you're bound to trip
- Roller skating, inline skating, and rollerblading can be both light and intense. Those in their 40s would want to test different intensity levels, shifting from light to high-intensity roller skating sessions. There will always be another level you can hit, but make sure only to do so when you think you're ready
- Make sure to practice regularly, as it improves performance. For example, many individuals with severe arthritis and osteoporosis still rollerskate
- When you start skating at 40 or above, you'll be surprised to see many other people from your age group, giving you the confidence and camaraderie required to pull through
- Keep your attitude healthy. In many instances, one of the biggest hurdles for skaters above 40 is attitude. They start to worry about many things, such as injuries that may not happen at all. It's not a good way to learn anything, let alone roller skating, and if you continue to be negative, chances are you'll fail time and again.
If you're from Atlanta, enroll in Atlanta roller skating lessons now. With the right guidance, you'll be skating like a pro in no time!
Roller Skating Lessons for Adults Near Me
Looking for credible roller skating lessons for adults? Join Superprof, the best online tutoring platform in the US. They offer some of the best thorough skating lessons for people above 40, covering the basics and advanced level techniques. Not only do they provide in-house and virtual classes for adults, but they also do so for your kids. Roller skating can be fun, and learning how to roller skate can be even more fun, provided you learn appropriately with the right instructor. Many newcomers believe they can learn to skate with a few pairs of good skates. However, this isn't the case! Even the best outdoor roller skates for beginners won't help you if you do it half-heartedly.
Keep in mind that skating is far more than just buying the best roller skates for beginners and adults. It's a complete activity that offers simultaneous exercise and fun. Therefore, if you're looking for roller skating classes near me, Superprof has all that and more! Enroll in your area with Superprof's roller skating classes covering New York, Chicago, LA, Philadelphia, and other parts of the US. Why wait anymore when you can put your name down for Superprof's roller-skating lessons?
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Very informative!
Thank you for your feedback, Pamela!
Very interesting for those who want skating
Thank you for the feedback, Jane!
Excellent article . I enjoyed it fully. I am in my early sixties and I continue to roller skate. I also lift weights. Roller skating/rollerblading is one of the most enjoyable activities for older adults.
Thank you Donna! Enjoy your roller skating adventures! 🛼😊
Hello
Where can I find a roller skating camp/clinic for beginning seniors with great music and energy anywhere in the United States?
Regards,
Paddy Douglas
Hello Paddy! You can find roller skating lessons for beginning seniors at Superprof.com, and typing roller skating as the subject you would like to learn and then your location. A wide array of tutors and options will be available to you. If you need additional help please reach out to our customer care department at hey@superprof.com.
Woon in Den haag.waar kan ik leren rolschaatsen.ben 50 plus
Hello Gerda! You can find excellent roller skating tutors for any age on Superprof.com! If you need additional help please reach out to our customer care department at hey@superprof.com.