Get Rolling: 5 Essential Items for Your Roller Skating Starter Kit
Roller skating is an incredibly fun way to keep healthy and active, whilst getting from A to B in style. With spring and summer approaching, roller skating is a great way to explore your surroundings whilst having an amazing time. If this is a hobby you are looking to undertake, there are indeed a few essentials you need for a high-quality and safe roller skating experience. We will outline these essentials below in detail.
Roller Skates
If you are starting roller skating for the first time, of course, you will need a good pair of skates! You can get your hands on a traditional pair of quad skates, which are the stereotypical style of skates when you think of ‘roller skates’. These style of skating roller shoes have two wheels at the front and two wheels at the back. Alternatively, you can go for inline skates which have a row of wheels that are aligned in a single file.
Quad skates and inline skates both offer a range of benefits depending on your skill level and the experience you are after. Quad skates for example offer great stability and balance due to the four-wheeled nature, making them great for beginners. The wider base also makes them better at executing tight turns and stopping quickly too.
With inline skates, however, you can pick up speed pretty fast. These type of rollerboots can pick up speed pretty fast due to their streamlined nature, making them ideal for fitness, endurance and more extreme-style riding. Regardless of which type you go for, make sure your skates fit comfortable and offer the appropriate support for your ankle and feet.
Roller Skating Protective Gear
Roller skating can be a lot of fun, but it can also be dangerous if you're not properly protected. That's why the second thing you'll need when you start roller skating is protective gear. At a minimum, you'll need a helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads.
However, it's also a good idea to invest in wrist guards and a mouthguard, especially if you're planning on doing any aggressive or high-speed skating. When selecting protective gear, make sure that it fits well and provides adequate protection. Wearing the correct protection will also allow you to naturally skate more confidently as you know you are equipped and prepared if you do take a fall. This will help you progress and improve at a more rapid rate, as well as making your skating experience much more enjoyable.
Clothing for Roller Skating
Another part of roller skating is picking the appropriate skate clothing that doesn’t restrict your range of motion and is comfortable to wear when skating. As such, you’ll want to stay away from wearing clothing that is too tight or anything that feels restrictive, as this will limit your movement and can actually be quite dangerous. Instead, you’ll want to go for looser breathable clothing which is comfortable to wear for skating. Looser clothing will also contribute towards better circulation of air around your body, keeping you cool and dry, which will be especially useful when the weather is humid.
Roller Skate Tool
You’ll need to make adjustments to your skates to keep them performing well, for example, changing your bearings and wheels. This is the reason why having a reliable roller skate tool on hand at all times is absolutely essential. A roller skate tool is a small tool that allows you to make these sort of adjustments quickly and with ease. Knowing that you can make quick and easy adjustments to your rollerboots without having to rely on a skate shop or technician will put your mind at ease and allow your roller skating experience to be much more of an independent one. Not only is having such a tool on hand on all times essential for top performance, but it is also a key part of ensuring your safety, which comes first at all times.
Practice Space
Now that you’ve got all of the important gear sorted, you’ll need a safe place to practice your skating. This could be your favourite roller rink or roller disco, a park with smooth flat surfaces or even your own driveway and garden! When choosing your practice space, you will want to make sure it is free from any obstacles or hazards that could cause you injury. You’ll want to make sure the area is well-lit and the surfaces are smooth to really get the best out of your skating experience, especially if you are skating in the evening.
Roller skating is a fun and exciting way to have fun, whilst staying active and improving your fitness, but it's important to have the right gear and practice space for a safe and enjoyable experience.
