How to Start Roller Skating Without Breaking Anything

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At first I was surprised to find that I’m not the only one roller-skating in quarantine. My daughter found an old pair of plastic toy skates that still fit her (just barely) and dug out the skates that I played in derby years ago. We put on Disney tunes and rolled around the garage.

Then I realized that other people were doing the same: Taylor Lorenz, who tracks youth trends on social media, noticed that roller skating is now a hot trend on TikTok:

Ice skating is a really great activity these days. There are many fun dance moves you can do in a small space, and even if your dream is to go on an ice rink or skate park, the first step is to get comfortable on wheels at home.

So, if you’re looking to dig out your old roller skates or go ice skating for the first time, here’s what you need to know.

Buy skates

You will see two types of ATVs. Heeled boots that are laced up to the ankle are designed to perform figure skating movements such as jumping and spinning, and they are also good for everyday skating. These are your classic retro roller skates.

Another type is low-cut skates that look more like sneakers. This gives you zero ankle support, but more flexibility. They are great for quirky skating footwork and this style is also preferred by roller derby players.

(I also heard there is something called a “roller” “blade”? I have no idea .)

Any type will work for you, and I won’t judge you if you choose skates for what looks best. A word of caution: While it is often a good idea to buy the cheapest option first and upgrade when it wears out or exceeds its capacity, with skates you need to make sure you are not too cheap. Anything below $ 80 is suspicious. Some skates are too flimsy or lack proper equipment. For example, if the area connecting the wheels is just a smooth piece of plastic, as in these kids’ skates , these are not “real” roller skates. Find something with a pile of metal and rubber between each pair of wheels, like this ; these are trucks and they let you drive. You want to be able to regulate them.

Another thing to watch out for: Nylon (soft plastic) plates tend to flex too much for people weighing over 200 pounds or so. For kids and lightweight people, this will work, but everyone else should look for aluminum or fiberglass plates instead.

Some inexpensive starter brands:

Don’t get hurt

Until you fully develop your instincts for a safe fall, it is wise to wear protective gear during exercise. You will get on your knees, so get knee pads. The skater kind with hard caps is better, but if you want to live a little dangerous, I’m like thin dancers’ knee pads like this . If you fall into them, it will still hurt, but the pad seems to take off the edge.

Buy a helmet to protect your head, and consider elbow pads and handcuffs. Whenever you exercise, clear the safe area: sharp and delicate objects should be out of reach, and never attempt to descend stairs or navigate difficult terrain if you are unsure of your skills.

Know the basics of skate care

There are a few things you need to do with your skates to keep them rolling smoothly. First, be able to tighten or loosen the wheel nuts. Skate nuts are often too tight. Make sure they are loose enough so that when you hold the skate up and flip the wheel, it spins freely.

A basic skating tool (likethis one ) will include a wheel nut socket and a nut socket on your trucks. Weaker trucks will turn harder, but they will feel more wobbly. You will need to customize your trucks according to your skill level and the type of ride you want.

If you mainly ride on hard indoor floors, you will need hard wheels (90s hardness rating, like 90A). If you are riding outdoors, softer wheels will allow you to roll more smoothly on uneven asphalt; the durometer rating for them is usually in the 80s. Many skaters have a set of outer wheels and a set of inner wheels and they change them accordingly.

Another thing to check is the feet for the toes. Some dance moves work best without toe-pads, so you can take them out and replace them with small bumps called jam plugs. On the other hand, if you skate a lot on the street, you may use the sock pads so often that you wear them out. The toe pads are replaceable, and some types allow height adjustments, which usually require a hex wrench.

Skate comfortably

The first step in learning (or retraining) ice skating is to simply train your body to move when there are wheels below you. The quickest way to accomplish this is to simply carry your skates at home, whether you have good skating spots at home or not.

Even if all of your floors are carpeted, you will know where to put your weight on your foot as you walk. You may find yourself jumping onto the toe-supports to get out of your chair. And when you carry your skates in a small space like the kitchen when you are washing the dishes, you will discover all kinds of ways to turn and maneuver on your wheels while you are standing. All these skills will come in handy when you go out to the skating rink, dance floor or street.

Learn some of the movements

Now on to the fun part! What are you going to do ice skating? If you plan on going outside, keep your helmet and knee pads in mind and start with smooth, flat areas.

If you want to practice indoor dance moves, you can simply play music and start moving, or select TikTok dance to copy. For a more structured approach, I love the tutorials that pop up live on Instagram. Los Angeles Rollercoat Girls conduct online lessons almost every day; they are free, but if you appreciate them you can support the effort by sending a Venmo or Paypal donation to the instructor. Miss’ile , another rollerdance team, teaches lessons primarily on Zoom (pay what you can and they send you a link to join). Dance Skate also offers lessons and their ribbon is a collection of vibrant roller skate moves of all styles, so they are great for both inspiration and learning. Australia- based Rollerfit offers many lessons for beginners on their IGTV, and @ rollerskate.to accounts for it and publishes daily schedules in their stories with all the online classes and events from other inline skating accounts.

Whichever you choose, be careful, know your skates, and don’t be afraid to get creative. Support your instructors with a donation anytime and post your steps on social media to inspire others. Enjoy your ride!

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