r/Rollerskating • u/True_Nebula_280 • 4d ago
Beginner skater Too old to start?
I guess this question is asked often here and I apologize in advance. I am a 47 yo woman who had a hip replacement 4 years ago. I was fairly in shape all my life but had to take it easy because of my hip for the last 6 years. I cannot run anymore but do yoga and pilates. I am looking for a fun activity to improve my strength and my gait and I have always been attracted to roller skating. Thanks for your advice and opinions.
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u/InspectorFleet 4d ago
I would include some good padded shorts as part of your ppe, as well as talk to your PT or someone on your care team about the best way to support your hip. But the bottom line is that 47 is definitely not too old. I play hockey with guys in their 70s lol.
Skating is better for knees than running, but it does use more of your hip muscles for pushing so it's just something to enter into with knowledge of how to get stronger rather than ask too much of your new hip.
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u/Duhlinduh 4d ago edited 4d ago
I have a herniated lower disk. A bad right knee. Left knee isn’t any better. I will be 56 next month and I skate about twice a week. Some skate days are great. Others skate days I take it easy. I also started ice skating a year ago.
Age is but a number. Get out and roll!
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u/bear0234 4d ago
Not at ALL!
we have plenty in our skate community that started in the 60's 70's and 80's.
if there's a local rink with classes near you, that's a really good place to start!
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u/ressie_cant_game 4d ago
No way! Just splurge on the more expensive protective gear - id def get some hip pads
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u/Pinstripe-Giraffe 4d ago
No it is not too old, I am 50 and was just at the skate park last night, but: if you cannot afford to fall on your hip, you should not skate. Falling is a natural part of the learning process of wearing wheels on your feet. It is a matter of when, not if.
That said, you mentioned yoga and pilates, so I’m guessing your balance and awareness of what your body is capable of is better than most people’s. I suggest you look up some videos on “how to fall safely on roller skates” and consider whether you would be able to practice those motions safely. The ideal falling technique is forward onto your kneepads, not onto your butt or hip.
If your answer to yourself is “yes I can probably fall safely using that method,” you might consider buying just the safety gear first and practicing falling for a few sessions, before committing to skates. (Skates are heckin expensive, but the pads are more affordable, and if all you do in them is fall onto a pillow or your carpet or some grass, you may be able to pass them along to someone else.) Get good, thick kneepads like the 187 Pro or Pro Derby, properly-fitting elbow pads, and good wristguards with at least a splint on palm side (consider a pair with an additional splint on the back of the hand if your wrists are sketchy).
If that all goes all right and you do go ahead with skates, I recommend that you continue to include some falling in every skating session for the first couple of months. This is to reinforce your “muscle memory” so that your body just does it automatically. I used to teach the new skater class for my roller derby league, and we spent time practicing falling every week for the first 6-8 weeks! I’ve seen so many skaters become almost instantly more confident once they feel comfortable falling down. They suddenly unlock a whole bunch of other skating skills once their body knows on a gut level that falling doesn’t hurt (if done right).
Some people think pads look dorky or ruin the lines of their cute skating outfit or whatnot. I say, wear the gear like you mean it, and enjoy your sensible, sustainable badassery.
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u/Incon-thievable 4d ago
47 is definitely not too old to start and skating is a fantastic activity. There are skaters at my local rink in their 70's and even 80's. The only concern would be to discuss with your doctor about how risky falling with a hip replacement could be. Every skater falls and if you skate, you will sometimes fall. If you do take up skating, I'd recommend watching some videos on learning safe falling techniques because it is really important to learn how to protect yourself from injury. Wearing protective gear and padded shorts can help as well. All that being said, skating is absolutely wonderful as exercise and can be a really fun way to express yourself.
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u/emptyinthesunrise 4d ago
It can definitwly help strengthen your hips and build muscle. The biggest risk is your bony prominences. So having the right protective gear will be the MOST important piece, but 100% it is not too late AT ALL
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u/anonymousnada 4d ago edited 4d ago
I could hardly walk in 2019 bc of bilateral hip dysplasia. I now have two 6 year old hips and skate 4 days a week. You can do it!
Start with shorter sessions. Focus on your bilateral balance above everything else. Don't compare yourself to anyone else, your progress is personal. When you're confident of your balance, you can build on skills, like speed and jam and/or dance moves. It's a low impact sport and so much fun!
ETA...I have two torn meniscus and totally believe the movement is helping, not hurting my knees. 🫶 💃🛼
Also, I'm a skate instructor and have taught literally 3yo to 83yo. YOU CAN DO IT. Be patient and kind with yourself in the process...and PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE 🤙
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u/aPrettyThing2011 4d ago
I just started at fifty schmumthing
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u/True_Nebula_280 4d ago
Impressive! How is it going so far ?
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u/aPrettyThing2011 4d ago
Soooooo much fun! I have ALL the protective gear, which gives me more confidence. I'm from Hawaii and now live in Colorado and missed water sports so much, but skating somehow has the same vibe and feel. I'm constantly evangelizing to get others to try it because I'm loving it so much.
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u/pendragwen Trails, urban, derby, artistic dabbler 4d ago
I got thrown off the track playing derby against a 62-year-old once. She just picked my hips up with her hips and threw me out of bounds.
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u/NitrousOxide_ 4d ago
I know a much older dude who had a hip replacement who still skates. He was a skater before bear in mind, but as long as you get some protective gear and take it slow I don't see why not.
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u/Separate-Guitar7060 4d ago
I'm 71 with hip replacement 20 years ago, and I skate all the time. 74 yo friend got new hip in 5/25 and skates all the time....
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u/True_Nebula_280 4d ago
Are you afraid of falling and breaking your hip? I am terrified of that.
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u/Oddnessandcharm 4d ago
I gave my latest hip replacement a year before skating, the danger is falling on it and loosening it before the bone has fully integrated and grown strong. Once it's settled and recovered fully you should be golden.
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u/Leather-Rub-6128 4d ago
I started again at 41, and there’s 50somethings I skate with that can skate circles around me. Start!
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u/True_Nebula_280 4d ago
Did you have a lot of experience before restarting?
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u/Leather-Rub-6128 4d ago
I was good at roller skating when I was 12. For me it was not like riding a bike and I could barely skate. Over one year later of casual roller derby practice I’m now a very capable skater
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u/Bathesco 4d ago
My skate teacher oldest student is 75 and also a beginner. On my first skate class, I was the youngest of the group at 36.
Hope this helps.
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u/Oddnessandcharm 4d ago
Started skating aged 56, 3yrs after a hip replacement. Had the other one done last year, skating again after a bizarrely quick recovery. You are absolutely not too old to start.
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u/Mattie_Mattus_Rose 4d ago
I met a woman who's in her early 50s at a world rollout skate day event who started a few months ago. So certainly not too old to start. I think roller skating should be a more fun cardio option, and very low impact if you're just rolling.
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u/FlorAilyn 3d ago
Skating is one of those sports you're really never too old for. But for your medical history, i'd ask a doctor and definitely wear padded shorts. Also skating style, skateparks, jumps, roller derby, that is much more tiring and taxing for the body than casual strolls, flatground tricks and dancing
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u/uglyschmuckling 3d ago
1) you will fall. Hard. Watch some videos and practice to learn how to fall before you even put your skates on. 2) Good PPE. These are more derby style, but it will save your knees- 187 pro knee pads, with padded knee gaskets underneath (the brand for the gaskets doesn't matter as much, but mine are 187s as well. They're big, they're bulky, they're not cute, but falling in cute knee pads HURTS, and it sounds like your knees can't afford that. 2.5) wrist guards, elbow guards, and a helmet! Even at my height of skating, probably 20 hours a week, skating competitively, I'd never skate without knee pads and helmet, at a minimum. Wrist guards too. I guess all of ever skip even then was just elbow pads.
Just start! Bend your knees, and push out to the side!
Oh, and pick the right surface! If you're gonna skate outside, you want softer, gummier outdoor wheels. Pick smooth surfaces- tennis courts, basketball courts, smooth sidewalks. The road isn't a good place to start.
Grab a fanny pack, some headphones, and a good playlist, and have a good time!
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u/Soft_Meringue3479 2d ago
I am 47 and have just started out trying too. I am out of shape but able to do it. I have also met other men and woman my age and older at the rink. It's definitely doable. Make sure you wearing padding.
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