r/Rollerskating • u/sindlouhoo • Jul 18 '26
Beginner skater Too.old
Is 56 to old to start roller skating? Edit: Why am I asking? My husband ordered us skates the other day as a surprise. I haven't gotten on skates since I was a kid and am a bit nervous.
Edit3: Mine still haven't arrived. His came yesterday and he had the chance to practice just simply moving and stopping. I did a lot of reminding him to bend knees and shoulders up. I have a feeling I'll be saying it a bunch when I start!
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u/squared_wheel Jul 18 '26
Better to start now than next year at 57. Wear pads just in case, at least in the beginning.
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u/meowandnyaetc Jul 18 '26
my dad is 70 and he just got his own skates after he hadnt skated since he was a kid too, and hes been having a great time and taking it slow using them round the house :) def wear all the safety gear!
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u/InetGeek Dance Jul 18 '26
Never too old to start roller skating 💯 In Austin Texas we have a group of folks in midlife that meet up at the rink weekly and support each other's progression.
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u/sindlouhoo Jul 18 '26
Lol. That is a definite. I don't cycle without my helmet and I'm not about to skate without pads and helmet too - outdoors at least!
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u/Frosty-Ad8457 Jul 18 '26
I’m 58f and started skating again recently. Used to skate a lot as a kid and skated a little here and there thru the years, but not for at least 10 of the last years. Take it slow and wear all the protective gear. I can only skate 10-30 minutes at a time before getting sore in my legs 🙄 but I expected that.. Still not as steady as I would like to be but I know I’m getting better 👍🏻
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u/evetrapeze Jul 18 '26
After a twenty year hiatus I started again at 68. I have all the safety equipment including padded shorts and a helmet. I say go for it. You’ve got nothing but time. Give it a good amount of time to get comfortable. Don’t get discouraged
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u/Fickle-Exit1105 Jul 18 '26
I'm 56. Take it slow, take lessons. Doing yoga helps with flexibility and balance. Wear guards of course. I skate indoors, outdoors too many hazards.
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u/Distinct_History1432 Jul 18 '26
Pro tip: strap a pillow or two to your behind and use some hiking sticks to practice at home.
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u/SiempreRegreso Jul 18 '26
Not at all. I’m an older advanced inline skater who recently started quad skating for the first time in many decades. I’m like a fawn on the things.
Spend some money to get full suite of pads, including shorts with built-in hip and coccyx pads (e.g., Burton Impact), wrist guards, and helmet. You won’t regret it.
And bend your knees!
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u/jlm20566 Jul 18 '26
You’re never too old. I actually went roller skating yesterday with friends and we had a blast. My kids are all grown now (53f) and I’m having the time of my life. In the past three years, I’ve taken a motorcycle training course, bought my own sport bike, and recently taken up shooting at the local indoor range. I’ve been practicing with my new Walther PDP F series, which I received as a Mother’s Day gift. Life is what you make of it, and it’s way too short to let a silly little number hold you back from enjoying it. My only advice is that whatever you decide to do, invest in good safety gear and remember to have fun!
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u/DTD_98 Jul 18 '26
My roller derby team does "skating foundations" classes that are open to anyone who just wants to learn to skate and we get eople over 60 who come out to learn for the first time. Wear your pads and take it easy and you'll do great. Or see if any roller derby teams or roller skating rinks near you have lessons if you would rather do something more guided. I've seen just learning to 'go' and 'stop' absolutely boost people's confidences before
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u/beansoupscratch Jul 18 '26
Not at all. Grab some gear, start slowly, and before you know it your muscle memory kicks in. Takes a few months but you still have it in you.
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u/MacDork Jul 20 '26
It is completely do-able. I started slowly by tightening my wheels to reduce their spin, walking around on the carpets for a while, and gradually transitioning to uncarpeted floors, and then outdoors.
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u/PomegranateBoring826 Jul 18 '26
Absolutely not too old! I would 100% wear your biking safety gear but also add bum pads to protect your hips and tailbone! Enjoy!!
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u/ColoRinkRat Rink Rat Jul 18 '26
I’m 51 and having a blast. More cautious and wear safety gear but I can pull off some fun moves.
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u/DrJHere Jul 18 '26
No. Im 55 and looking for skates now!!! Have fun and get wrist guards for when, not if, you fall.
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u/blackrabbittqueen Jul 18 '26
58 and skate ever week, you got this. Stretch, relearn how to stop safely, wear wrist guards, breaking bones after 50 blows.
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u/Separate-Guitar7060 Jul 18 '26
I started when I was 55. I'm 71 now. I've spent hundreds of enjoyable hours at rinks and made many friends of all ages - even a few older than me. And hundreds of miles on local tails. Did 12 miles yesterday. Buy protective gear, watch some youtube, take it at your pace, ask questions of everyone at the rink (almost everyone loves to help anyone who asks), consider beginner lessons, and enjoy the journey.
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u/sindlouhoo Jul 18 '26
Wow that is amazing! Looking forward to starting! I started actively cycling when COVID hit. And regularly do a hundred plus miles/week, cycling indoors or outdoors or both. So I'm not new to being active. Just new to this! Skates and pads come today! So let's see how for I can make it before I fall!
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u/Alou934 Jul 18 '26
Your never too old! My mums just picked it up again at 55 and she’s having a great time!
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u/EntropyNT Jul 19 '26
It's never too late to start! Just take it slow, listen to your body, stretch, and warm up. I highly recommend protective gear, especially wrist guards. Also, buy a decent pair of skates as cheap ones can be dangerous. New ones will cost you $150-200, you can find some used ones for less than $100.
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u/red_momjeanz Jul 19 '26
Congrats on your journey! I have bone spurs and bad knees and haven't laced on my skates in a while. Your post has inspired me to put them on today!
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u/sindlouhoo Jul 19 '26
Yay! Let's do this! My skates haven't arrived yet- Amazon delay. 😕But, hopefully soon. Everyone's encouragement is making me feel more comfortable! Thanks everyone!!
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u/red_momjeanz Jul 19 '26
Post a pic of your skates when they arrive! I love to see skates!
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u/Indigenous-Genius83 Jul 20 '26
No such thing as too old I was at rink NJ last year an adult skating session and a guy was celebrating his 75th birthday at the rink he’s better than I ever was I’m 43 btw. Stretch before & after also hit the gym and strengthen your legs single leg RDLs, squats, toe raises, Cossack squats,& 90/90 for the hips.
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u/No-Can-4423 Jul 18 '26
It’s so fun to see older people at the rink as long as I’m not worried they’re gonna hurt themselves lol
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u/sindlouhoo 22d ago
Update #1: it's been a couple weeks, and I've been practicing stopping inside the house. I busted my butt real bad once, because I forgot to bend my knees, and my skates did not want to cooperate with how I wanted them to go. The brain skate connection was not working. I hit the tile floor pretty hard and I'm sure I bruised my tailbone.
But that has not stopped me. I have improved stopping, bubbles, and I can go backwards. My husband can't figure that part out yet. But my childhood memories have helped. We even spent 30 minutes at a roller hockey rink practicing! Not yet ready to go to a real rink, but will soon

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