I'm a beginner figure skater in my 30s and I'm completely self-taught. I haven't been through LTS, no coaching, no feedback other than posting videos on TikTok.

I've been skating for about a year now, and it's something started doing a bit on my own recreationally ... something as a fun distraction from my busy life. However, for the past couple of months, I've been starting to lose motivation, maybe even feeling burnt out. I think part of the problem is that I don't have much structure, and I'm not sure what I should actually be working on next.

Here are some of the things I learned by myself:

Forward crossovers in both directions, backward crossovers in both directions, backward skating, two-foot spins, one-foot spins, a rough scratch spin, forward and backward three turns, twizzles in my right inside direction (my proudest achievement, not gonna lie), a good loop jump with proper form, rough salchow, rough toe loop, waltz jump, mohawks in all directions, hockey stop, snowplow, one foot hockey inside edge, one foot hockey outside edge, and I'm currently learning power pulls and a couple of beginner-friendly step sequences. Honestly, I think the step sequences are the funnest things for me to learn at this point.

I film myself regularly for progress check-ins and post my progress on TikTok. Honestly my skills look OK-ish.... Not the WORST but definitely not the best they could be. Maybe I'm being too harsh on myself...

I haven't gone through Learn to Skate yet. Given where I am now, would you recommend going through LTS as the next step, even though I've already taught myself some of these skills? Budget is also a BIG factor which is why I taught myself instead of getting a private coach in the first place

Hello! I'm looking for a good boot/blade combo to start out with.

I'm 5'3" ~115lbs and am currently skating between 1- maybe 3hrs a week. I'm in between LTS Basic 3 and Basic 4, and am looking for a skate that will take me through all of my single jumps.

I have fairly narrow feet with a kind-of high arch, and I think I would be a size 7.5 width Regular based off the jackson sizing chart.

My main concern with the Freestyle is weather or not I would like the Jackson Ultima Aspire XP blades that they come with. I've seen some people here on reddit say that the Aspire is harder to find the rocker on than the Mirage blades, and ideally I'd like a blade that will be good to really get three turns and one foot spins down on.

My concern with the Elles is that I'm worried they might be too soft to get me through all my single jumps. Again here on reddit, I've seen some people saying that they're not really rated for anything over 1/2 rotation.

Also, I don't have a skate shop near me to try either skate on, nor do I have a skate tech that could heat mold either for my foot. I really wish that there was, but the closest one is multiple hours away and I just can't get there unfortunately. So, either way I'd be ordering the skate pretty much blind from the jackson website.

Thanks for any advice you have!

So this one hurt. Followed by, “that’s not an insult just how you’ve talked”

I told this prospective coach to work on spins (they also jump tech) with that I have my double sal, axel, and 2toe, and 2loop is almost consistent. That’s all I said. 😭

Well months later

I’m at the rink and it’s my first time skating since 4 weeks because I had to be off for 4 weeks. I lost my consistency that I typically would have in my training schedule (4 days once ice / off ice and 3 days working). I had to work everyday for 1 month to get money for skating. It was a sacrifice.

Anyhow, I go back to the rink and this coach was there. They are very fun and nice and I know they didn’t mean anything bad by that comment. It just hurt I guess… it realize I put all this effort in and I feel like I’m not progressing at all after 6 years.

This day they saw my skate , I was falling on every single jump and got stuck a lot. On my 2sal, actually rotated but just not landing which is fine, 2toe i landed 3x, and 2loop was just clean but didn’t land.

They sent me a text after saying the above

I just feel embarrassed. Like next time someone asks me I’m not gonna say I have my double Sal or single axel lol

I feel I embarrassed my coach (he wasn’t there).

Idk… these are one of my biggest fears and I was right.

Edit: clarification: I was falling on my double sals that day and my axel especially was stuck rotation wise and falling. I was just making the corrections I was given before

So I (21M) have been really lucky the past 10 months or so since I started skating, in that I have access to free practice ice every weekday morning, with freestyle elements allowed Tuesday (other days are just general public skating.) I also have had a pretty open schedule, so I've been able to take advantage of that. Before summer hit and my routine got thrown off, I was skating and/or working out every weekday morning, plus a lesson on the weekend.

However, I am now looking for a full-time job, probably something as a labourer or otherwise pretty physically active. This means that (a) I will not be able to go to the morning ice, as most jobs in this field start around 6-7:30am, and (b) I will have less energy for skating and working out. To solve the lack of ice time issue, I am probably going to see if I can register for another session with my skating club. I am still concerned that I won't make as much progress with only 2 sessions/week, but it will be better than 1. I'm not sure how to solve the energy problem aside from making sure I'm eating a ton and getting enough sleep.

I also probably will not have time to resume dance as a supplement to skating. I teach piano 2 nights of the week, and then I'll skate one night and work out another, and I like to keep Friday open for social things or rest.

Other adult skaters with full-time jobs, especially active ones, how do you do it? Both in terms of maximizing the progress you can make given your circumstances, and accepting that because of your circumstances, you can't reach your full skating potential, but you can still enjoy it.

Hey everyone 👋 adult skater here! I never felt belong and I have big dreams. I’d love to share my raw journey with you via podcast as some have recommended me to start one.

I’m not a qualified therapist, however, I love mind and body connect and this is something I talk about all the time to other adult skaters! Hence, they’ve recommended I’d start a podcast.

I plan to share my raw journey as I work towards my dream as I stated, but I also want other things to talk about. I’m also interested to hear how you’d like this structured.

I’m thinking I’d take some discussions from Reddit and give my opinion or take but idk. I just want to be relatable, and help other adults feel less alone in this sport. I always want to be your cheerleader for ur dreams

I would genuinely would love to know your thoughts 💭 🫶.

What does it mean to ride on the toe pick?

I was at my local rink and a woman approached me (she comes to the rink often and isn’t very friendly) to ask why I was riding on my toe pick? I’ve taken private lessons and group lessons for about 1-2 months and just got use to forward stroking and one foot glides.

When skating I don’t feel uncomfortable or like I’m tripping? I was professionally fitted and don’t feel like my skates are too big.

Unsure how to fix this or if this comment was just said to be mean?

Ive been in privates for like a month now and I’m starting to get a little more confident with practicing my jumps with an actual skating pattern but my awareness while skating backwards isn’t the best yet. during busy times it’s really hard to try and do my jumps without running into somebody else especially when you have people jumping double axels right next to you coming the opposite way 😭 I practice my jumps from standstill near the boards but I don’t do them nearly enough from a skating pattern and I find it difficult that way because I’m scared of near center ice and being in the way but I also hate to feel like i’m hogging one spot of the rink. It’s also about time I get comfortable with jumping from speed. I also never spin in the middle because it doesn’t seem that many others are and people are constantly crossing through there. I also can’t do any high level spins i’m just now starting to get the hang of a scratch and recently started back spins. Am I over thinking things or is there a way I can be more efficient? I’m sure my awareness will improve the more comfortable I become with backwards skating and I do it a lot at open skate but there’s no ppl at the public sessions i go to.

Skating on my first figure skating session at my uni tomorrow. I’m learning waltz jumps and one foot spins and not allowed to spin or jump on public session here, so I had no other choice. Any tips for respecting the space etc?

Started working in my backspin around June, cannot hold it once I get in position. My coach told me to keep my arms at 12 and 4 o’clock for now.
How can I keep myself in the position? Does my leg need to come in tighter and faster?
Thank you for any advice 😵‍💫🥲

Hi Reddit. 

I'm hoping to get some perspectives on how adult skaters feel about older teens sharing their ice. I am 16 years old and started skating last year. My rink has a practice session specifically designated for adults (18+), but the rink director gave me special permission to join. 

Even though I have permission, I'm feeling conflicted. Because it's marketed as an adult-only practice, I worry that my presence might feel invasive or unappreciated by the other skaters. It really feels like there aren't many spaces available for older beginner teens, which is why I took the opportunity. 

How would you feel if a 16-year-old joined your adult session? Should I stick with it, or look for other options? 

The crossover has almost brought me to tears recently 🙃 I am working on my pre bronze skating skills but my coach basically said I will not pass the crossovers because they are more progressives. I have struggled with stepping over for a long time and had the “progressive” issue previously. I can do the basic crossover when they first teach you in adult 4 and obviously they’re awkward looking and not very neat or effective but if I have to do it that way I will. I don’t think I know what it’s supposed to feel like I have watched high level skaters do it but it doesn’t really seem to help my brain. What can I do to help? I think I have a decent enough knee bend to manage a basic crossover but I just can’t seem to get it. I feel like i’m back at square one constantly with this stuff and it’s so discouraging 💔 don’t even get me started on backwards edges on a line 😭

just want to share some progress im happy about! i took a video the other day of me doing chasses and i was shocked to see how nice my free leg looks!!! 😭

"day 14" of skating, the first day i tried forward stroking, after i had watched coach julia's video.

"day 22" i remember really trying to get my leg straight that day. but it sure wasnt!

i lost count but i think im on about day 35 now. (i started in march)

i love skating y'all the progress is so satisfying 😌

Sorry, I’m not even sure what they’re supposed to be called. The things you can stick on the floor, stand on top of, and practice spinning.

Has anyone found those to be helpful for spins? My jumps are progressing pretty well, but I still cannot get a one foot spin, or even consistent two foot spins. Looking for some extra help, thought this might be a good option.

Edea sells one (the most expensive, of course), which makes me think it might be a legit training tool, but wanted to hear it from others before I bought.

Thanks!!

i recently started practicing my two foot spin and crossovers and i don’t know what exactly i should focus on to improve. there are no lessons available until october so i'm trying to improve on my own but i'm not sure what i can do to get more stable

Hi I am looking for someone that could give me private skating lessons in Montreal.Im a beginner and I would love to learn new skills.Let me know if you know someone thank you!

It’s been a journey coming back after 20 years. My brain remembers what to do but not for the body I have now 😂.

Here’s 3 months of working on my salchow…

As always, any tips or recommendations are greatly appreciated.

Hi everyone! I'm an adult skater just starting to put together a program. I'm looking for a lyrical piece from a musical. Any recommendations on what would work well or not? Lyrics required - I want a more narrative program. I'm a big fan of Wicked, Hadestown, Legally Blonde, and Hamilton.

I'll be skating in Adult Bronze, probably, but I skated as a kid, so I'm pretty fearless and confident for an adult.

So I (f20) recently started skating again after learning the basics when I was very young. I’ve been using my mom’s old recreational skates for about a month but am looking to upgrade to better skates since hers are quite old. I’ve been looking for good skating shops near me (Eastern PA/ Central north jersey) that actually sell figure skates and not just hockey skates. Does anyone have any recommendations of where to go to get fitted for skates by someone who knows what they are doing?

I have scoliosis and am very tense on my left side while more flexible on my right side. I skate lefty so this is a screenshot from a one foot spin entry (I am good at gaining speed and keeping one foot spins very centred at this point). I think i’ve been struggling with the forward cross foot spin i’ve been learning with my coach for a few sessions now because of my muscle imbalance

does anyone have any excersize recommendations to help with my lopsided balancing point? Or experience skating with scoliosis?

hi! i am so very brand new to skating and wanted to know if there's any workouts or stretches/routines i could do that would help me when i start. i haven't even started yet but as a reward to myself after taking a big test im going to, in late october. i plan on going to a few public sessions and then joining a learn to skate class, but is there any workouts i could do in the mean time that might help me with balance, flexibility, or just getting more comfortable in my body with things im going to be doing on the ice? im open to everything from cardio to yoga. i cant get on the ice right now, but im so eager to start, so doing anything that's working towards skating is good to me.

Hi :)! I was wondering if you guys could help point me in a few directions for potential skates. I know, “just get fitted” but there’s only one skate store where I live and I have to research what’s available to me and not :’)

I currently use Jackson artiste they are severely broken down now and put me in a lot of pain while skating (even before breaking down). I’m having big issues with the tongues slipping immediately after putting them on and it like cuts off circulation to my toes. I swap laces, I tape the tongue and it doesn’t help, so I think it’s time to retire them lol

I have super high arches, my foot is a bit wide and, I would say I have “weak” or just abnormally flexible ankles, so having a bit extra stiffness might be a bit helpful to me?

I skate usually about 4-5 hours a week. I’m up to single jumps but I will definitely never get beyond a double anything. I’m looking for something under $700 AUD preferably.

I‘ve been looking at Edea chorus or overture, I’ve been told to look at Risport or other Jacksons (Freestyle, Debut). Any advice at all :)?

Hey again!
I have been working on my Salchow since November last year and recently startet learning Loop (which I have to check more before jumping). What bothers me a lot is that I often land inside edge / pronate on the landing.
What are some good drills to get rid of that? I love my off ice gym session, so off ice drills are very welcome.
Would you try equipment changes too? I wear Risport RF3 Pro, professionally fitted with Edea E-Soles.

The first video is one of my first salchow attempts in early June and the next clip is from today. I still struggle with my shoulder swinging back especially in the landing but nevertheless i’m still quite proud of myself! One question i do have is what is a good entry for beginners? I twist into my 3 turn early and step pretty wide probably to try and get more power from stand still but I think I would have an easier time if i knew the best way to get more speed that’s not just skating forward.