Rollerblading to work can be both exciting and frightening! This is especially true when it’s your first time hitting the roads on your rollerblades. The good news is, rollerblading to work doesn’t have to come with mixed emotions.
It’s a reliable means of commuting from point x to y, provided you take the necessary precautions. You’ll find this guide helpful if you’re wondering about the idea’s feasibility and how to get started. So, I urge you to keep reading till the end.
Without much ado, let’s get to it!
Pros of Rollerblading to Work
Rollerblading to work comes with pros and cons, and we’ll cover both sides of the coin. So what are the pros of rollerblading to work, you ask?
Rollerblading Suffices as a better Commuting Alternative
There are many examples of non-motorized transport like walking, biking, and skating. Rollerblading, also known as inline skating, is a better alternative to walking. It’s also better than biking to some extent, as you’re about to discover.
Walking to and from work every day can be a hurdle because it’s time-consuming and tiring. Too much body fatigue can affect your productivity at work because of using a lot of energy when walking. But this is one thing you want to avoid because you can lose your job.
Also, biking and rollerblading serve the same purpose. The problem is, acquiring a new bicycle can be pretty expensive than acquiring new rollerblades. So, if you’re on a budget, getting a pair of inline skates to commute to work is a better idea.
Lastly, rollerblading helps save the environment from fossil fuel degradation because it’s a non-motorized form of transport. So, if you care about the environment and sustainability, rollerblading is a great tool to help you achieve that seamlessly.
Skating to Work helps Beat Traffic and Get to Work on time
If you’re not using the train services to commute to work, you may have to endure bad traffic on the roads every day. This is especially true when you live and work in a densely populated metropolis or city.
The problem is, getting to work late doesn’t sit well with most employers, and you can get fired for it. So, this would prompt you to wake up unusually early to be on the roads early enough, which can be frustrating.
The good news is, you can avoid all the frustrations by switching to rollerblading. It’s highly maneuverable, and you can skate in between traffic to beat time. In addition, Rollerblading is fast, especially when you have relatively large wheels of 84mm and higher.
Rollerblades accelerate at a relatively high speed of between 8 mph-16 mph on flat terrain. If the surface is slightly sloppy, the speed increases, meaning you’ll always get to work on time and keep your job.
Rollerblading is accompanied by Tons of Health Benefits
At the back of your mind, you know you’re only skating to work. What you may not know is that you’re also working out. What this means is, rollerblading is a double-edged sword. Besides helping you to commute to work, it also helps to keep your body fit and healthy.
What are the health benefits of rollerblading, you ask?
- Helps to lose excess body weight: Rollerblading is an intensive aerobic and anaerobic activity and burns approximately 913 calories per hour of rollerblading for a 160-pound heavy person. This helps to shed off the excess fats, especially when you keep at it.
- Develops all body muscles: Rollerblading works all body muscles, especially the lower body. The muscles found in this area are the core, gluteus, adductors, and hamstrings. Rollerblading helps to tone and develop these muscles, making them healthier and lean.
- Helps improve body balance: Rollerblades use inline wheels, which require stability to balance. As you learn to balance your rollerblades, it helps to improve your body balance and coordination. This is a great way to enhance your productivity.
- Boosts cardiovascular system: Rollerblading is an intensive exercise that boosts the cardiovascular system comprising the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. You need a healthy heart to survive, and rollerblading can help you achieve it.
- It helps relieve stress and makes you feel good and happy: Rollerblading facilitates the secretion of endorphins, the stress hormones, and dopamine, the feel-good hormone. So if you have long days or things weighing you down, rollerblading can come to your rescue.
Cons of Rollerblading to Work
Apart from the many benefits of rollerblading to work, there are also cons to consider. What could they be? You could be asking. Let’s find out!
Rollerblading to work can be Risky
Rollerblading to work can be risky in many ways. One, you risk being knocked down by oncoming vehicles when skating on busy roads. Two, you can trip and fall, especially when skating on rough, slippery, and sloppy terrains.
Some accidents are inevitable. However, it’s crucial to first work on your rollerblading skills before thinking of moving to the roads.
Body Odor from Sweating When Rollerblading
Rollerblading is an intense aerobic exercise. As you burn calories when rollerblading, your body also produces sweat, a by-product of aerobic respiration. This sweat is often a mixture of salts and other minerals and can result in body odor.
Therefore, you risk drenching yourself in sweat by skating for long distances. If your workstation is considerably far, it’s best to cover some distance in your rollerblades then covers what’s left on another mode of transport. A train or bus would be great recommendations.
Safety Measures When Rollerblading to Work
Honestly, accidents are inevitable many times. But instead of letting this prevent us from doing what we intend to do, it’s best to counter the challenges. Below are the ways to keep safe when rollerblading to work.
1. Master Stopping Techniques
Stopping when rollerblading is a sure-fire survival technique when skating. At least, you should know the basic stopping techniques like the heel-brake, t-stop, power stop, snowplow, and power slide.
Rollerblading to work shouldn’t be on your mind yet if you’re yet to learn any of these. So, I’d recommend you start by mastering your rollerblading stopping techniques here.
2. Wear the Recommended Protective Gear
The recommended protective gear for rollerblading includes a helmet, elbow pads, wrist guards, and knee pads. In addition, you can also do eyeglasses, hip guards, and shin guards. Wearing these protective gear helps keep you safe in case you find yourself in an accident.
3. Avoid Unfriendly Terrains
Unfriendly terrains are rough, slippery, or hilly. Rough and slippery terrains are hard to skate on because they hinder a smooth push and glide. On the other hand, hilly terrains require a lot of energy and can get you tired pretty fast. So, you’ll enjoy your ride to work on rollerblades if you can avoid such surfaces by finding better alternatives.
4. Avoid Busy Roads and Pavements
Skating on busy roads and pavements can be pretty risky because you risk being hit by a speeding vehicle or knocking down pedestrians. The best way to keep safe is to avoid busy roads and pavements.
5. Always Stretch after Rollerblading
Stretching after rollerblading goes a long way to keep sore muscles at bay. Remember, rollerblading uses all body muscles, especially the lower body, and it’s normal to experience muscle fatigue. The best way to prevent muscle cramps, soreness, and muscle pull is to stretch for 5-10 minutes after rollerblading.
6. Wear Brightly Colored or Reflective Clothes
Wearing bright-colored clothes makes you visible from far. You want to ensure oncoming traffic, including vehicles and humans can see you. This is especially important when skating in the dark. An alternative to bright-colored clothes is wearing a reflector because it serves the same purpose. Lastly, you can use led wheels that shine bright in the dark.
Rollerblading to Work | Wrapping Up
Rollerblading to work is an effective means to commute. Rollerblading helps beat traffic and get to work on time. In addition, compared to other alternatives like biking, rollerblading is cheaper because it costs less to buy inline skates than a bike.
Lastly, rollerblading is accompanied by tons of health benefits, such as improved cardiovascular benefits. So if you’re thinking of giving it a shot to work, I urge you to go for it. However, remember to take caution by wearing protective gear always.
