Is it had to learn figure skating? Figure skating is an exciting ice skating discipline with tons of health and social benefits. Probably, you’re looking to start figure skating but wondering if the sport is hard to learn or not. Figure skating is generally hard to learn, especially as an adult.
Below is a quick rundown of why learning figure skating can be a hassle!
- You have to learn how to skate on Ice
- Proper Body Balance and Coordination is necessary
- Learning to Push and Glide
- Stopping when Ice Skating can be a Hassle
- Requires Mental Focus
- Learning to fall safely can be daunting
- Weak body Muscles are Susceptible to Pain
- Mastering Figure Skating Techniques takes time
- The Cold Figure Skating Rinks can be Uncomfortable
But this is only the tip of the iceberg. While learning figure skating can be daunting, it doesn’t mean you can’t do it. So, besides showing you why figure skating can be hard to learn, I’ve also put together tips to flatten your learning curve. So, let’s get to it!
Is it Hard to Learn Figure Skating? (Why Figure Skating is Hard to Learn)
Below, we’ll break down why learning figure skating can be a hassle, especially for adults.
1. You Have to Learn How to Skate on Ice
Figure skating requires a new skill—ice skating. This is your first step to being a figure skater. You’ll find it a hassle if you have never skated before. Learning to skate on ice can be a hassle since ice rinks are slippery. You need to get the technique right to prevent complications and accidents.
For example, the right posture for skating requires bending low with knees above your toes and shoulders over your hips. Get this wrong, and you’ll have stability issues. Plus, it doesn’t end at that! You’re most likely going to develop back and foot pains because of excess muscle pressure.
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2. Proper Body Balance and Coordination is Necessary
As we’ve seen above, proper body balance and coordination start with using the right ice skating posture. Ice rinks are slippery, and finding your balance while wearing figure skating boots with thin blades can be daunting.
You need to learn and master balancing your body while coordinating hands, legs, and overall body movement. All these happen simultaneously, and until your brain is used to it, you’ll find it pretty tough.
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3. Learning to Push and Glide
Pushing and gliding are the sure way to move on ice. You have to do the two simultaneously. While you push with your right foot, your left foot should glide on ice. This isn’t as easy as it seems, and it can be a daunting task for complete beginners. The good news is it gets better with time.
4. Stopping when Ice Skating can be a Hassle
Whether one is an expert, intermediate, or beginner figure skater, stopping is necessary. Ice skating rinks are slippery, and without speed control, you may find yourself kissing the hard cold rink surfaces. The figure skating stopping techniques to learn are the T Stop, the Snowplow, and the hockey stop.
The T Stop and the Snowplow are basic and most suitable for beginners and intermediate figure skaters. On the other hand, the hockey stop is more advanced and works best for more experienced figure skaters.
5. Requires Mental Focus
Figure skating is fun, but it can also be frightening if done for the first time. Your success and overall progress will depend on your mental fortitude. You need to be confident with a positive mindset to make a great figure skater.
This is all-around and matters whether you plan to figure skate for fun or competitions. The problem is it’ll most likely take a while to build your confidence and mental focus.
6. Learning to Fall safely can be Daunting
Falling is inevitable whether you’re an experienced or beginner figure skater. But, if you’re the least worried about it, rest easy because it doesn’t have to bother you. All you need is to learn the right way to fall, and you’ll avoid many injuries.
The best way to fall when figure skating is to fall forward. Your knees should first touch the ground, followed by your hands, and lastly, your body. This way, your body weight is distributed equally to the rink surface, preventing catastrophic injuries.
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7. Weak Body Muscles are Susceptible to Pain
Figure skating works all body muscles, including the core, glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps, and adductors. The muscles hold the skeletal system together while generating some energy used for figure skating.
No doubt, your body muscles will hurt when starting to figure skate. At this time, the muscles are still weak and require time to be strong. So you need to skate a little longer for your muscles to get used to figure skating. The problem is the pain while waiting can be unbearable sometimes.
8. Mastering Figure Skating Techniques takes Time
Figure skating techniques like toe loops, Flips, Lutzs, Salchows, Loop jumps, and Axels are complex and may take longer to learn and master. This is why it’s recommended to start figure skating as early as five or seven years old.
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9. The Cold Figure Skating Rinks can be Uncomfortable
Figure skating rinks are cold—both air and the surface. So, it can be hard to adapt to these supper low temperatures. The solution is to wear the appropriate gear for figure skating. The rule of thumb is to keep warm by wearing relatively light articles of clothing.
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How to Learn Figure Skating Fast
While learning figure skating can be hard, it doesn’t mean you can’t get good at it with time. Below are cool tips to help you flatten your figure skating learning curve.
- Practice more Often
- Get a Figure Skating Coach
- Wear Protection gear for your Safety on Ice
- Join a Figure Skating Club
- Be Patient with Yourself
- Wear Properly Fitting Figure Skating Shoes
- Watch Free Video Tutorials on YouTube and other Sources
Is it Hard to Learn Figure Skating? Wrapping up
Is it hard to learn figure skating? Figure skating is fun yet challenging to learn and master. Honestly, it’ll take you longer to move from a novice to an experienced figure skater. But, the best part is you only need to put in the effort and watch yourself improve your figure skating skills. I hope you found this guide helpful!
