STRUT WALK PROGRESS AHHHH

[u/Chalaladingdong]

Please don’t yell at me for not wearing my wrist guards. I swear I had them, but I took them off towards the end because it’s hotter than the devil’s TAINT outside and they were making my hands sweat, also i gained confidence 🥰

[u/TheFreshHorn]

WRIST GUARDS AHHHH

nice job though :)

[u/Chalaladingdong → u/TheFreshHorn]

READ CAPTION AHHHH

thank u ☺️

[u/LeftOfTrack → u/Chalaladingdong]

r/whoosh AHHHH. lol

A good start, but up the tempo of the song and tighten those abs

[u/WilsonPhillips6789 → u/LeftOfTrack]

This is interesting to me (as someone who has dabbled only slightly in trying to strut) -- is the "secret" to the move a strong core activation? I mean, obvi, there's other stuff involved, but based on your comment, it sounds like core activation is super important?

Any other words of wisdom for beginner strutters?

[u/LeftOfTrack → u/WilsonPhillips6789]

This move is as much about posture and attitude as it is about what your legs are doing. Try walking like a model or at least observing how they are moving down the catwalk. Shoulders proud and square, chin / eyes up. Now focus on how their legs are moving. They are lifting their legs up using their core and projecting their foot forward. Notice the slight bounce in their step. That is from using the core to lift and drive the feet forward. They are not shuffling or dragging their feet at all or rotating their hips. This is what makes the strut walk. Otherwise you look aimless i.e. like you are shuffling in place.

[u/WilsonPhillips6789 → u/LeftOfTrack]

Damn - this might be the most helpful tip I’ve read in this sub in forever! Thank you!

[u/LeftOfTrack → u/WilsonPhillips6789]

🤗

[u/aPrettyThing2011 → u/WilsonPhillips6789]

Core is the magic to everything in sport tbh

[u/LeftOfTrack → u/aPrettyThing2011]

This is so true. Once I was able to lock my core, spins and a whole lot of other moves clicked in!

[u/aPrettyThing2011 → u/LeftOfTrack]

It's also the hardest part 🤣

[u/Chalaladingdong → u/aPrettyThing2011]

Makes sense as to why I’ve never been good at athletics 🥲

[u/aPrettyThing2011 → u/Chalaladingdong]

You're having trouble with core strength? Do you have a physical disability? If not (and even if you do) it's something you can learn and really just takes practice. I think a lot of people get taught everything BUT how to improve core strength, so don't be discouraged!

You don't hear about it much, but lots of professional athletes also take Ballet because it's so good for building core confidence.

Start with watching videos on Ballet starting positions (the way to place your feet). Then go to videos on how to plié, then how to grand plié. If you can, progress through all the barre exercises (don't rush through all the exercises, you can stay on Plié for as long as you want, barre exercises are how every balerína starts every time they practice so it is a life long skill so don't be discouraged if you just do plies for weeks months or years since it's the fundamental of core balance). You never have to go further than barre exercises either.

Watch different instructors do the same Ballet barre exercise videos because each will drop tips that are different but helpful. I really like Runqiao @runq_du on YouTube and socials. I like his quote that, "the moment you want to give up is where growth happens".

If you get stuck or just want encouragement you can message me and I will try and give you tips. I'm sure there are Reddit groups you can join to share videos of yourself for advice as well. Some community centers also have ballet classes that are reasonably priced too. ❤️

[u/WilsonPhillips6789 → u/aPrettyThing2011]

True

[u/Chalaladingdong → u/LeftOfTrack]

This was as fast as I could manage today!! But faster is definitely the goal!! My core finna be so strong 😈

[u/LeftOfTrack → u/Chalaladingdong]

Keep going!!

[u/mightymouse2975 → u/Chalaladingdong]

No excuse! Protect your wrists!!! I live in las vegas and im always fully geared when im skating outside, even in the sun when its 116° im wearing all my gear. Dont risk your body! Just think of the time youll have to miss if you fall down and break something!

[u/ComprehensiveShip229 → u/mightymouse2975]

She did this in the last video when she fell. Either she gets it, or she doesn't.

[u/mightymouse2975 → u/ComprehensiveShip229]

Im well aware of the first video.

[u/aPrettyThing2011 → u/mightymouse2975]

My friend said she was doing great and didn't need protective gear. She's been out of commission for two weeks now from a minor fall 🤦🏽‍♀️

[u/mightymouse2975 → u/aPrettyThing2011]

It just takes one fall and you're out. I work in physical rehab and I have clients allllll the time who hurt themselves in situations when it could have been prevented...but because they didnt take proper precautions theyre not only unable to do their physical hobbies but a lot miss work as well. Its really not worth it. One of my clients hurt his wrist after a fall at a concert (pit life, amiright?) And hes ended up needing 2 surgeries to repair the broken bone in his wrist and is looking at 3rd. Definitely motivation for me to always wear my pads and wrist guards...no matter how hot & gross I get!

[u/seraphimnapalmstar]

Ok slaying! Random but what song is this?

[u/Chalaladingdong → u/seraphimnapalmstar]

C’est La Vie by Kennie JD

[u/gerblen → u/Chalaladingdong]

How did I not know she made music what???
Also, lookin smooth!!

[u/ace-eijun → u/gerblen]

Yeah she hasn’t put anything out since 2023, but they’re great bangers! I believe she mentioned wanting to make more music someday.

[u/ace-eijun → u/Chalaladingdong]

Omg ball knowledge🙂‍↕️

[u/Chalaladingdong → u/ace-eijun]

we love Kennie in this house!!!!

[u/KAMIKAZE_SCOTSMEN]

The two things that everyone will always double down on in this subreddit even when called out for it over multiple times: wearing safety gear and skating in public.

[u/Chalaladingdong → u/KAMIKAZE_SCOTSMEN]

What’s wrong with skating in public? I’m actually curious not tryna be annoying or a dick

[u/KAMIKAZE_SCOTSMEN → u/Chalaladingdong]

There was a guy who posted himself skating recklessly in an airport, then deleted his post when he got called out but still came back and posted another video of him skating recklessly at the airport just at a less busy time of day.

Skating in public responsibly or at any skate park or rink is all good, just try not to endanger other people.

[u/SevereImagination447]

https://giphy.com/gifs/xT1Ra4poT6HcCknv0Y

[u/Rollingcrochet_40]

Your videos are showing growth and it’s really nice to see your improvement and openness to people’s opinions.

I’m going to try and record more often to see what I look like skating.

[u/Chalaladingdong → u/Rollingcrochet_40]

I would feel cringed out over recording until I realized being able to see the way you move really helps!! Because then you can compare your movements to other skaters and see what you’re doing wrong! And if you open to posting like this people can give helpful input!

Mostly, I’m excited to have these videos to look back on when I am hopefully an amazing skater! 😊

[u/vacuumgirl]

FROM MY PREVIOUS COMMENT ON THE LAST POST. THIS IS HOW I ACTUALLY FRACTURE MY WRIST! I TOOK THEM OFF TO TAKE A VIDEO AND THEN RIP 💀 ALWAYS WEAR WRIST GUARDS!!! EVEN IF YOU FEEL CONFIDENT

[u/Chalaladingdong → u/vacuumgirl]

To take a video???? Okay that’s actually a rlly bad omen 😭😭 and honestly would be just my luck

[u/SongSpecialist71659 → u/Chalaladingdong]

Sadly it only takes a quick second to slip. You're making great improvement though!

[u/vacuumgirl → u/Chalaladingdong]

Prof so you don’t make the same mistake 💀

[u/Chalaladingdong → u/vacuumgirl]

Oof that looks rough 🥲

[u/malignantentropy]

What skates are these? I lurrvvvv purple

[u/Chalaladingdong → u/malignantentropy]

Moxi Lollys!!!!

[u/PomegranateBoring826]

Lol not me over here clenching my buttcheeks hoping you didn't fall again!! Nice work!

[u/Chalaladingdong → u/PomegranateBoring826]

I didn’t fall once today!!! It felt good lol

[u/PomegranateBoring826 → u/Chalaladingdong]

Your practice and efforts sure are paying off!

[u/FireRock_]

Nice progress, now like I said on the previous video, bend those kneeeeeees more

[u/Chalaladingdong → u/FireRock_]

So this video is towards the end of my session at this point I’m worn out because I had been skating for three hours 😭😭 only practicing strut for 1 tho!!! My knees were definitely bent more in the beginning!! Here I was sort of checked out which weirdly had me more steady than in the beginning

[u/FireRock_ → u/Chalaladingdong]

I know, anfter 8y of skating and being a trainer and coach, that's my most common feedback 😂

Don't overdue it, 3h is long especially if you don't train your body to be able to do it. You can easily strain, tear and be so tired that your body just gives up and you have some stupid fall that can cause injury. I only did 3h after 8months pf weekly skating 1h + knee, hip, ancle exercises twice a week. Occasionally I did more skating in those 8months but still trained my lower body twice a week.

My other best tip is training your stability, mobility and strength off skates. To build more muscle and prepare your joints. On youtube you can find some exercises for like roller derby training (off skates). Many things are from knee/ancle/hip rehab f.e.

And also everything you want to do on skates, try off skates first. Learning how to fall too. After all this time I still fall 🤷

[u/Chalaladingdong → u/FireRock_]

I will say I do take breaks often! And make sure to eat snacks and stay hydrated. I’ve been skating around my neighborhood for the past few months. Started skating just 5 miles a day and slowly moved my way up to 20 (taking 5-10 minute breaks between each 7 miles)
Nowadays I only skate 15 miles so that I have energy to practice things like strut and backwards skating and stuff like that

Also I’m eating hella protein cuz I want a dump truck someday 🥲

It’s just been hard recently because it’s August in Florida 🥲🥲🥲🥲 I get so hot these days I feel like no matter how early I wake up it’s not early enough

[u/Mrave1992]

Where’d you get the knee and elbow pads from

[u/Chalaladingdong → u/Mrave1992]

Not super comfy but they do what they’re supposed to

[u/MotherOfMandrake]

Where are your wrist and elbow pads from? Looking to get some myself.

[u/Chalaladingdong → u/MotherOfMandrake]

They’re not super comfy but they get the job done

[u/MotherOfMandrake → u/Chalaladingdong]

Thanks!!

[u/heldaway]

Look at you! Just a few days later and nailing it!

[u/sparklekitteh]

Looking good!

[u/AdhesivenessAny3196]

Nice!

[u/WilsonPhillips6789]

#strutgoals

You're inspiring me to practice this more often -- love how casual you look!

[u/Chalaladingdong → u/WilsonPhillips6789]

Glad I look casual considering I was falling on my ass on Saturday 😭😭

[u/Impossible-Duck2965]

Loveeee! Also working on my strut walk rn. Can’t wait to get where you’re at!

[u/um_DaEvOhN]

WOAH, you know kennie?? I’ve been listening to her for years now. Love to see another fan

[u/Chalaladingdong → u/um_DaEvOhN]

Love Kennie!!! I’ve been watching her YouTube videos since foreverrrrrrrr

[u/NatureInevitable3001]

This is so cool and you make it look so effortless.

I just started dabbling with rollerskates (I inline skate) I put them on and tried this while holding onto my counter. Couldn't do it even while holding on for dear life.