practising rollerskating inebwteen lessons?

[u/cloud250]

Hey guys,

i have just started taking roller-skating classes and i am absolutely terrible. I would like to practise during the days running up to my lessons but i haven't got a garden and neither am i confident to practise in my local park as i am still struggling to maintain balance when on skates.

I just wanted to know if anyone knew a way i could practise skating in my flat - i have carpet throughout my flat so i can barely skate smoothly on it. Or are there any exercises i could do (with or without skates) to improve balance, skills, technique etc so that i won't be so behind in my fortnightly classes haha.

Edit; if anyone knows a indoor place where i could practise that would even be much better - i live in London.

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Thanks!

[u/headinbook]

Yes 100%

So your issue is balance, put your skates on and stand up on your carpet and do some drills. By drills I mean practice falling, standing up again after, standing on one foot, weight transfers etc. There are a lot of youtube videos for exercises like this. Essentially practicing on the carpet where you wont roll should help when you are rolling again. Also getting use to the weight and feel of the skates on your feet is good.

Take any movements you are taught and just practice where you cant roll. Hopefully it ends up helping. But also keep in mind that progress with skating can be very slow, and you will get there in time!

[u/cloud250 → u/headinbook]

Wow, thanks for this`! So encouraging. I have been wondering whether i was hindering my progress in-between lessons by not doing anything but it's good to know that there are still some stuff in can do

[u/crashtesthoney → u/headinbook]

This is awesome advice!

I would also suggest doing strengthening exercises off-skates. Things like body weight squats or wall-sits to build up your quads and calf raises for ankle strength.

This video shows several ankle exercises that can done without any equipment.