Inline skates are good for beginners. They’re versatile and have a long wheelbase extending a few inches after the toes and heels. The large wheelbase provides more stability to beginner inline skaters as they maneuver through obstacles like bumps, pebbles, and cracks.
I’ve put together this post to help you understand why inline skates are good for beginners. If you’re looking into getting started in rollerblading, I believe you’ll find this post helpful.
So, without much ado, let’s get down to it!
Why Inline Skates are Good for Beginners
Compared to other skates like the Quads, Inline skates are best for beginners because they’re versatile, have a long wheelbase, have safer brakes, are easy to operate, and are easy to maneuver around regardless of the surface type.
1. Inline Skates are Versatile
Inline skates are versatile and come in different categories. Look around, and you’ll find; Recreational inline skates, Fitness inline skates, Hockey inline skates, racing inline skates, and Streets/urban inline skates.
Each of these inline skates is designed for a specific environment and use. For example, the inline hockey skates are created with hockey players in mind.
And inline racing skates are made for people interested in speed skating.
With inline skates, there’s always something for everyone. Regardless of your preference as a beginner, you can always try a couple of inline skate types and activities before settling on one.
2. Have a Favorable Design with a Long Wheelbase
Inline skates have a long wheelbase extending a few inches after the toes and heels. This design features enhance stability and prevent tripping over when one encounters obstacles such as bumps, pebbles, and cracks.
You’ll be most unstable while on inline skates for a few weeks if you’re a beginner. The last thing you want is a pair of skates that makes you feel unsteady.
This can lengthen your learning curve, and instead of taking four weeks, for example, you end up with eight weeks.
3. Easy to Operate and Maneuver around with
Once you gain stability, you’ll understand how inline skates are easier to operate and maneuver on all surfaces.
Due to the design, it’s easy to have your feet close to each other in a parallel position while you’re in motion.
Skating in this kind of position strengthens your stability, enabling you to stay in form even when you encounter obstacles such as rocks, pebbles, cracks, or when someone pushes you.
Besides, braking on inline skates is pretty simple and safe. One, you can use the braking pad located on the heel area of your skates.
Or two, you can use the slightly advanced braking technique called the T-brake.
How to Use Inline Skates for Beginners
Using inline skates for beginners is pretty simple. You only need to have the right mindset and skating gear.
Below is the easy step-by-step guide for beginner skaters.
1. Get your Inline Skates and Protective Gear Ready
You need to get ready a pair of inline skates and some protective gear to start you off. The inline skates need to be comfortable on your feet and should fit snuggly.
You’ll be on these skates for a while, and you want to avoid discomfort or any pain brought as a result of too tight skates.
Also, check that the inline skates you choose have a stopper for braking.
For the protective gear, you want to make sure you have a helmet to protect you from head injuries in case you fall.
You also need a pair of elbow pads for your elbows, knee pads for your knees, and wrist guards for your wrist and palms.
As part of the skating gear, you need to wear appropriate clothing. You can consider a combination of a long sleeve t-shirt.
Short sleeves t-shirts will still work, though long-sleeved ones will offer more protection from scrapes.
You also want a not-so-heavy t-shirt since you’ll be on the move, and you don’t want anything dragging you behind.
Lastly, make sure you’re visible, and others can easily spot you.
The best way to go about this is by getting relatively bright-colored t-shirts or clothing. Red, Green, yellow, white, maroon, and blue would be reasonable considerations.
2. Get Started on a Grass Surface
Put on your skating gear and remain seated on the grass. Next, you want to learn how to stand up while on the grass.
As a beginner, you don’t have much control over your skates. Therefore, you need a surface that offers restraint to maintain your balance.
To stand up, go on both knees, then bring one knee up in front of your body. Please put your hands on the knee and press it down with your arms on your knees to bring yourself up. Once you’re up, start practicing lifting your legs in a matching position.
Your heels should be in and your toes out in a Pizza shape. Your shoulders should be over your hips with your knees bent down for the proper skating position.
3. Transition to an Asphalt Surface or a Sport Court
Once you’re comfortable on the grass and have mastered the basics, it will be okay to transition to an asphalt surface, a skate park, or a sports court. Whichever place you choose, make sure it’s safe to skate in.
Also, remember to have someone watching over you when you’re still green and fresh. It’s common for beginners to fall more often.
That’s why you need an experienced inline skater around as you practice.
Take everything from the beginning as you started on the grass. First, try standing up while on the asphalt by following the earlier steps.
Secondly, put your legs in a pizza shape and try matching forward in a gentle motion until you can glide.
4. Try Out More Advanced Stuff Like Braking, Back Skating, and Making Turns
For beginner skaters, the first three steps are what you need to get started in inline skating. However, once you feel more comfortable and in control of your rollerblades, you can try out more advanced inline skating techniques like braking on the heel, back skating, and making turns.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What age is appropriate for inline skates?
The appropriate age to introduce your kids to inline skates varies between 3 and 6. Children’s body physiques develop differently, explaining why some are ready for rollerblades at 3, 3 1/2, 4, 5, or 6. Apart from body development, balance and strength determine if your child is ready to try inline skates.
2. Is inline skating better than running?
Inline skating is better than running since skating is more intensive, and it’s also a good way of recreating yourself. During skating, all body muscles and parts are involved. In the process, excess calories are burned faster than when you’re running. Inline skating also leads to muscle development around your body’s core. This isn’t the case for running.
3. Is inline skating good cardio?
Inline skating is an effective way to have your cardio exercises. Rollerblading is intensive and involves all your body muscles that need an oxygen supply to produce enough energy. In the process, your heart is actively engaged in pumping blood to the muscles for aerobic respiration. This keeps your heart and cardiovascular system healthy and robust.
4. Is inline skating dangerous?
Inline skating injuries affect the bones, muscles, cartilages, tendons, and joints, mostly moderate to less severe. This makes inline skating not as dangerous as you may think. You can fix the injuries in a few days, and you’ll get back to the sport you love before you know it.
Final thoughts
Are inline skates good for beginners? I had the same question when I was just getting started in rollerblading. I’m happy I found out Inline skates aren’t just good for beginners—they’re perfect.
The skates are versatile and have a long wheelbase extending a few inches after the toes and heels. The large wheelbase provides more stability to beginner inline skaters as they maneuver through obstacles like bumps, pebbles, and cracks.
As you get started today, I believe you’ll find this guide helpful. Happy inline skating!
Rollerblade Zetrablade Elite Women’s Adult Fitness Inline Skate
Rollerblade Zetrablade Elite Women’s adult fitness inline skate is a product of Rollerblade Inc., one of the top inline skates and related gear brands globally. The brand has a reputation for only creating awesome inline skates. So, you can trust their products, including this women’s adult inline skate.
Highlighted features
- Size 6.
- Comes in two main colors— black/powder blue.
- Spongy foam-cushioned liner and cuffs for foot comfort.
- Made of plastic material.
- 80mm wide and 82A hardness level four inline wheels.
- Durable monocoque composite frame.
- Convenient multi-closure system—lace-up, cuff buckle, and strap.
- Comes with an inbuilt heel brake.
- High cuffs for extra support.
- Uses SG5 bearings.
Rollerblade Review
Rollerblade Zetrablade Elite Women’s adult fitness inline skate is a size six inline skating shoe. In addition, it comes in two main colors—black and powder blue. These colors are neither too dull nor too bright. If they are your favorite colors, acquiring these pairs of skates will be fun.
The liners are spongy and cushioned to provide extra comfort to your feet. This helps to reduce friction between your feet and ankles from skating risks like blisters, lace bites, and ankle pains. In addition, the cuffs are high for extra foot support, and the liners extend to the top.
The shell is durable and made from soft plastic and fabric material. This provides more comfort while giving the inline skating shoes a longer life span. The upper part is breathable, and features engineered mesh and a speed lacing closure system.
To top it up, the closure system includes a cuff buckle and strap for extra safety. This helps reduce incidents of feet wobbling inside the skates, which causes ankles to hurt many times.
The frames are sturdy and durable because of the robust monocoque composite frame. The frames are reliable, and they hold the wheels in place while helping to generate more speed. In addition, the wheels are 80 millimeters wide and are more stable. Lastly, they have a hardness level of 82A level, making them sturdy enough to resist easy wear and tear.
Pros
- Extra padding for more feet and ankle comfort.
- Heel brake for easy stopping.
- Different parts are made of sturdy materials for longevity.
- High cuffs for extra ankle support.
- Multi-closure system for enhanced fit and safety.
Cons
- Not suitable for males.
Verdict (Who it is for)
The Rollerblade Zetrablade Elite Women’s adult fitness inline skate is best for beginner to intermediate adult women skaters. The inline skating shoes feature sturdy frames and relatively small wheels for more stability, ideal for less experienced skaters.
Rollerblade Zetrablade Elite Men’s Adult Fitness Inline Skate
Rollerblade Inc. is one of the best inline skating shoe brands globally. The company produces amazing inline skating shoes like the Rollerblade Zetrablade Elite Men’s adult fitness inline skate, among other inline skating products.
Highlighted features
- Made of plastic material.
- Size 6.
- Comes in two main colors—black and lime.
- Convenient multi-closure system—lace-up, cuff buckle, and strap.
- Wheel size of 80mm and hardness of 82A.
- Sturdy monocoque composite frame.
- Comes with an inbuilt heel brake.
- Spongy foam-cushioned liner and high cuffs for feet and ankle support.
- Uses SG5 bearings.
- Four-wheeled.
Rollerblade Review
Zetrablade Elite men’s inline skates are entry-level-to-intermediate four-wheeled skates for men. It’s built for men wearing skate size six and features a convenient multi-closure system, allowing you to use laces, cuff buckle, and strap for firm closure and a snug fit.
The four wheels are of 82A hardness, making them sturdier to withstand rough surfaces, including pebbles. You’ll find them in these 80mm wheels if you’re looking for longevity. In addition, the wheels are moderately sized, making them more comfortable and stable.
The frame is made from monocoque composite, which is lightweight and sturdy. The frame holds the wheels together and helps generate more power on the wheels. The lightweight frames make the inline skates more comfortable and increase maneuverability.
Pros
- Made of sturdy material, thus more durable.
- Convenient multi-closure system for enhanced foot safety.
- Spongy liners and foam-cushioned cuffs for feet and ankle support.
- Built for beginners and intermediates.
- Comes with an inbuilt heel brake for easy stopping.
Cons
- Not suitable for females.
Verdict (Who it is for)
Zetrablade Elite men’s inline skates are built for men getting started in inline skating or a few weeks old intermediates. This would be a good fit if you’re looking for durable, lightweight, safe to use, and comfortable rollerblades.
K2 Skate Alexis 84 Boa Inline Skate
K2 inline skating brand has a reputation for making some of the best inline skating products globally. The K2 Skate Alexis 84 Boa Inline Skate is a typical manifestation of the awesome K2 inline skating products.
Highlighted features
- Size 4.
- Comes in two colors—black and lavender.
- The smart BOA closure system.
- Made of soft plastic material.
- 84mm wide wheels.
- 80A hard wheels.
- An inbuilt heel brake.
- Stamped aluminum Frame.
- Uses ILQ 7 bearings.
- High cuffs for extra support.
- Cushioned liners for extra comfort.
Rollerblade Review
The K2 Skate Alexis 84 Boa Inline Skate is a uniquely designed women’s inline skating shoe with a demonstrated top-level performance. It’s a size 4 inline skating shoe, making it the best fit if you wear size 4.
Its most outstanding feature is the BOA closure system which uses a knob to tighten or loosen the boots. In addition to this, the closure system includes laces, cuff buckle, and strap for more fit. Overall, this helps to comfortably keep your feet inside the boots by reducing feet wobbling.
It features a stamped aluminum frame that is robust, stable, and helps with speed by holding the wheels together in place. The wheels are 84 mm wide, making them relatively low for more stability. This is what beginners and intermediate skaters need when starting to learn.
The wheels are of 80A hardness level, making them sturdy enough to resist easy wear from outdoor skating on rough surfaces like asphalt.
The liners have extra cushion padding for foot comfort. They help reduce friction between the feet and the inline skating shoes, helping to keep blisters and hurting ankles at bay. The cuffs are long enough and help to provide additional ankle support.
Pros
- Sturdy and durable.
- A top-notch closure system for a firm fit.
- Extra padding for foot comfort.
- Heel brake for easy stopping.
Cons
- Not suitable for males.
Verdict (Who it is for)
K2 Skate Alexis 84 Boa Inline Skate is a women’s inline skating shoe. It’s best for fitness and outdoor recreational skating on relatively rough surfaces like asphalt. They have relatively wide wheels (84mm), making them good for beginners and intermediate women skaters.
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