Are rollerblades dangeroud? Rollerblading is fun and an exciting way to create new friends.
It’s also good for your health since it has many health benefits. Rollerblades are one of the must-have rollerblading gear.
Properly fitting rollerblades are crucial for your safety and comfort while skating. Wrong choice rollerblades cause discomfort and can hurt your feet.
Ankle, shin pains, plantar fasciitis, and blisters are the common effect of wearing ill-fitting rollerblades.
Disregarding the basic rollerblading rules can ruin the fun of rollerblading. But don’t sweat it!
You’re in the right place if you’re wondering whether rollerblades are dangerous. That’s why I’ve put together this guide. So, let’s get to it!
Are Rollerblades Dangerous?
Are rollerblades dangerous? Rollerblades can be dangerous when you disregard safety measures like not wearing a helmet, wearing ill-fitting rollerblades, using the wrong posture and form, rollerblading on slippery or rough surfaces, using rollerblades in bad conditions, or performing more advanced tricks without an instructor’s supervision.
But this is only the scratch on the surface. Let’s dive deep into why rollerblades can be dangerous!
1. Disregarding Safety Measures
Falling is rollerblading’s primary risk. Skaters of all levels are susceptible to falling, but the risk is higher for beginners and intermediates.
Learning and mastering the sport’s basics, like balancing on rollerblade wheels and control, are vital, but it takes time.
It’s advisable to always wear protective gear like helmets, elbow pads, wrist guards, hip pads, and knee pads when rollerblading.
This way, you’ll protect yourself whenever you fall or collide with someone. But some skaters ignore this basic requirement, making rollerblades and rollerblading more dangerous.
2. Using the Wrong Posture and Form
Rollerblading should be done in a bent posture and form. The knees should be above the toes and the shoulders over the hips.
This form transfers body weight to the toe balls, preventing back, shins, ankles, and heel-related pains.
Using the wrong posture and form means not bending properly. Your body weight will be concentrated on your lower back and can cause severe lower back pain.
The same applies to your shins, heels, and ankles.
More Reading>> How to Keep Ankles Straight When Rollerblading (3 Easy Steps)
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Lower Back Hurts when Rollerblading (How to Make it Stop)
3. Rollerblading on Slippery or Rough Surfaces
There are several surfaces for rollerblading. But the recommended ones are smooth, dry, and free of pebbles, soil, twigs, and other materials.
Skating on wet surfaces, for example, increases the risk of falling. If you fall, you risk hurting your knees, hip bone, or other body parts.
The same applies to rough surfaces, which hinder smooth rolling and cause stumbling.
4. Using Rollerblades in Bad Condition
Rollerblades in bad condition are often poorly maintained. They have malfunctioning wheels and bearings, which can be loose as well.
Rollerblading in rollerblades with loosely fitting wheels and bearings increase the risk of rollerblading since the wheels are likely to come out while skating.
5. Performing more Advanced Tricks without an Instructor’s Supervision
Performing rollerblading tricks is fun and fulfilling. Every skater dreams of performing ricks like spins, advanced braking, and jumps.
But performing these tricks without adequate training and supervision can be dangerous since you risk falling and hurting yourself badly.
6. Wearing Ill-fitting Rollerblades
Ill-fitting rollerblades can be too tight or too loose. Too tight rollerblades cause blisters and can make the feet sore.
On the other hand, loosely fitting rollerblades cause the feet to wobble and may lead to pronation and supination.
How to Minimize Rollerblading Risks and Injuries
The risk of falling is inevitable in rollerblading. The best you can do is minimize it by only using rollerblades in good condition. Below, I elaborate on how to minimize rollerblading risks and injuries.
1. Wear Protective Gear
Protective gear is essential for skaters of all levels. Rollerblading-related accidents can occur at any time.
The best way to be safe is to wear the recommended protective gear for rollerblading. Below is a quick rundown of the must-have protective gear for rollerblading.
- Helmets
- Elbow pads
- Wrist guards
- Hip/Crash pads
- Knee pads
While some protective gear comes single, others come in combo packs. You can buy a combo pack or single gear, depending on your budget.
Ease of Use, Ultimate Protection, Quality, Expert Opinion, Previous Customer Reviews, and Best Fit and Compatibility/Size are the primary considerations when buying inline skating protective gear.
Here’s the guide for rollerblading protective gear I did with you in mind. I also recommend some of the best protective gear for ultimate protection in this guide.
2. Use Well-maintained Rollerblades
Ensure your rollerblades’ wheels are well-maintained and roll smoothly. You should also tighten them every time you go rollerblading. This way, they can’t come out while you’re rollerblading fast.
3. Skate in Designated Areas
Skating in designated areas like skate parks is a sure way to protect yourself. You risk being hit by a car while skating on the roads.
You can also rollerblade on pavements, recreation parks, and bike lanes.
More Reading>> What Surfaces Can You Roller Skate On?
4. Get Proper Training
Popper training is critical for your safety when rollerblading. The right trainer will show you rollerblading’s basic techniques like how to use the correct posture, how to balance on rollerblades, and how to fall safely.
5. Rollerblade Moderately
Rollerblading is fun, but more than necessary, skating can be dangerous. You increase your risk of suffering injuries like sore feet when you exceed your rollerblading limit.
The rule of thumb is to skate only when it’s necessary. You can limit your skating sessions to under one hour if you must rollerblade daily.
6. Wear Properly-fitting Rollerblades
Properly fitting rollerblades are the best if you’re looking to prevent shin, ankle, and heel pain when rollerblading. They also prevent blistering and discomfort when skating.
More Reading>> Shins Hurt when Rollerblading (How to Make it Stop)
7. Wear Appropriate Socks
Rollerblades cause blisters due to friction when you don’t wear socks. The appropriate socks for rollerblading are neither too thin nor too thick.
8. Learn how to Fall Safely
Learning to fall safely is vital for your safety. The best way to fall is forward and not backward. Here’s a complete guide on how to fall when rollerblading.
Are Rollerblades Dangerous? Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is rollerblading more dangerous than Skateboarding?
Rollerblading isn’t more dangerous than Skateboarding since rollerblading injuries are less severe than snowboarding.
Rollerblading uses rollerblades attached to your feet, unlike Skateboarding, where you need to balance on a moving board.
2. Is rollerblading more dangerous than roller skating?
Rollerblading isn’t more dangerous than roller skating since rollerblades have a wider wheelbase for more stability. This way, the risk of falling is low when on rollerblades than on roller skates.
3. How common are rollerblading injuries?
Rollerblading injuries frequently occur when skaters ignore the need to wear protective gear, rollerblade on slippery and uneven surfaces, or skate in crowded places.
Skaters are at more risk of injuries by skating in non-designated areas like the streets or high-traffic areas and skating fast without basic rollerblading techniques like braking and safe falling.
Are Rollerblades Dangerous? Wrapping Up
Are rollerblades dangerous? Rollerblades can only be dangerous when you use ill-fitting, poorly maintained rollerblades or skating without enough beginner skills.
That’s it. I hope you found this guide helpful!
