When it comes to weight loss, there are very few things as intimidating as starting a new exercise routine. This is doubly true if you are obese or morbidly obese, since many of the more common exercise methods tend to be out of the question.
There are many reasons why an exercise might be off the board for a person struggling with weight gain. This is often because people who are extremely obese might not be able to find supplies that fit them, or because they may be too heavy to actually do the movements necessary. So, can fat people roller skate?
Can Fat People Roller Skate?
For the most part, there is a chance that you might be able to roller skate while being overweight. This is even true if you are fairly heavy. However, you will face a couple of major issues when you first start off.
The biggest issue that heavier people have when they first start roller skating is finding skates that work with their weights. Next, you have to figure out if you are physically capable of skating. The other issue is that you may find it hard to move in your skates, since roller skating has a different range of motion than you’re used to.
Issue #1: Finding Appropriate Skates
There’s some good news and some bad news here. The good news is that most roller skates will be able to withstand weights of up to 220 pounds without any issue. Some may even be able to hold up to 275—though they are fairly rare.
The bad news is that you may need to do a bit of searching to find roller skates that are meant for sizes larger than 250 pounds. Thankfully, most roller skate companies will tell you the maximum capacity for their skates.
If you are extremely overweight, you may need to look into specialty stores to find roller skates that will be able to fit you. There is also a chance that you might not be able to find skates that work well until you lose weight.
Issue #2: Can You Still Walk?
Let’s be frank. Being overweight is incredibly rough on your body. Every pound of extra weight puts four pounds of pressure on your knees, which means that people who are morbidly obese often have a hard time walking around.
You cannot roller skate if you can’t walk. If you currently are struggling with being able to walk around for more than five minutes, skating will be off the board for a while. Thankfully, most people who have mobility issues regain their ability to walk as they shed pounds.
Issue #3: The Actual Skating
Skating is not something that uses your typical muscles. It involves a lot more toning, a lot more cardio, and a lot more pressure on your knees. This means that it’s going to be fairly rough on a typical person. People who are morbidly obese will have an even more difficult time.
When you first start skating, make sure that you stay by the rails and take it easy. It can take a while to get your muscles used to moving that way.
Important Health Issues To Consider
Along with the typical logistics and physical strength issues, it’s important to remember that you might have other issues that could impede your ability to skate. How likely it is that you could run a health risk is directly related to how heavy you are. Here’s what you need to think about…
Issue #4: Heart Health
People who are obese are far more likely to get heart disease, which means that you may run the risk of having a heart attack if you over-exert yourself. This is why many morbidly obese people are advised to avoid heavy cardio exercise.
Roller skating is a form of cardio. This means that you will have to take time to build up your strength. If you are over 300 pounds, ask a doctor before you start skating again.
Issue #5: Potential Injuries
Even if you are able to deal with the impact it will have on your heart, it’s important to realize that a fall takes a lot more out of an obese person than it does on someone who is a healthy weight.
People who have been warned about broken tendons or similar obesity-related injuries should talk to their doctors before they try to hit the roller rink. If you have been worried about impact injuries, your best bet is to wear extra padding and stick to skating near rails.
Comfort Issues
Another set of issues that you might run into are the issues of comfort. Here are some of the most important things to keep in mind.
Issue #6: Comfort
Along with the bigger issues that you have to worry about comes the issue of skate comfort. Wider ankles might end up causing chafing or circulation cut-offs in the wrong pair of skates. It can even happen to thinner skaters.
The best way to prevent this is to wear some good socks, tie your skates properly, and buy the right type of skates. There are plenty of people who will be happy to help you out.
Issue #7: Feeling Left Out
When you’re bigger and you’re first exercising, it’s absolutely normal to feel like you are being judged or even excluded. It’s a normal thing to experience, particularly when you still feel self-conscious about your weight.
Here’s some great news…Many roller derby athletes are overweight, and in many types of skating, having extra bulk can help you more than hinder you. Moreover, the roller skating community is known for being fairly accepting, too.
In other words, feeling left out is the least of your worries in the world of roller skating. This is one of the best communities for people who want to meet new friends, find a support system, and also have a lot of fun. So once you’re ready, give skating a try. You’ll be glad you did.
