If you’re looking to lose weight, then you probably have been eyeing a new pair of skates. Doctors and weight loss experts agree that skating of all types can offer a fun way to get your aerobic exercise, tone your body, and shed pounds. However, not all types of skating are built equally in terms of benefits.
How Effective Is Skating For Weight Loss?
If we are going to be brutally honest, all forms of exercise are going to be marginally effective when it comes to weight loss. If you are looking to lose weight, then diet is going to be the primary route that will lead to your success.
That being said, exercising can help you burn away calories and lead to muscle toning. So if you want to avoid having that “skinny-fat” look to your body, having a good exercise routine is a must.
How Effective Is Skating As A Workout?
Skating is considered to be a highly effective workout for your entire body, especially when it comes to calorie burning. Both inline and quad wheel roller skating are considered to be aerobic exercises, which means that they’re great for heart health and are known for expending calories upfront.
Though these sports are known for being aerobic in nature, they also are still highly acclaimed for being able to tone peoples’ bodies up. It’s not too uncommon to hear about people who have skated their way into better butts or toned calves.
So, Which Is Better, Roller Skating Or Rollerblading?
The two most common ways to drop the pounds with skating are through classic roller skates and rollerblades. To a point, it’s hard to claim that one is better than the other, simply because they are both such great options. However, there are definitely perks and pitfalls to consider.
Wondering which one is right for you? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of both, based on the perks and pitfalls that people most commonly consider when picking out their exercise of choice.
Pricing
Pro: Both are relatively cheap.
Truth be told, skating is a relatively inexpensive hobby to have. As long as you have skates, padding, and a helmet, you’re good to go. Both roller skates and roller blades will cost around $100 to $150 for all the equipment you need at a bare minimum.
That said, there’s also a chance of getting a pair of cheap (but safe) skates for under $50. If you are the type of person who wants to make a fashion statement with skates, then you may end u paying upwards of $150 for a pair, and even more for a helmet.
There are very few sports that are as open to all incomes as roller skating and rollerblading. So, you really shouldn’t worry about budget. It’s all up to what you want to do.
The Winner: Tied
Safety
Pro: Roller skates are safer and it’s still a relatively safe sport.
Most safety experts suggest using quad wheel roller skates if you’re beginning, because they can be made to be extra stable. High top roller skates, in particular, are lauded for giving newbies the ankle support they need in order to prevent injuries.
Though it is a cause for concern, it’s important to remember that skating is still relatively safer than other types of exercise, including basketball and biking. By injury counts alone, skating is considered to be twice as safe as playground use.
Con: There is a sizeable safety concern with both styles.
Safety is a big issue when it comes to all types of skating, including roller skating and rollerblading. Rollerblades are known for being faster than roller skates, which can cause them to be slightly riskier than their “quad wheel” cousins.
The best way to prevent serious injuries when skating is to avoid skating on the street, to choose rollerblades that offer good balance and ankle supports, and to wear safety gear. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
The Winner: Rollerblading
Weight Loss Potential
Pro: Both are effective at losing weight.
If you’re looking to lose weight, then any form of skating will be a great pick. Both roller skating and rollerblading are great calorie burners. They are better at calorie burning than your typical walk in the park.
A 145-pound person will burn a total of 484 calories roller skating for an hour with moderate exertion. If you choose to go rollerblading, it’ll be a total hourly burn of 571 calories. This means that rollerblading is slightly better as a weight loss exercise option than roller skating.
Con: It can be exhausting for some.
If you’re not used to burning calories at a fast pace, or you’re not good with heavy exertion, you might have a hard time keeping up your skating routine. This just means that you will have to work your way up to it though.
Some people find that doing exercises that leave them feeling spent isn’t very motivational, which can make some people prone to quitting. If you tend to drop things that are prone to wearing you out, you might want to stick to roller skating instead.
The Winner: Rollerblading
Body Wear And Tear
Pro: Roller skating and rollerblading can be made into relatively low impact sports.
Like with many other sports, there are ways to combat the issues that can come from playing the game. Having skates that offer support, having the right posture, and avoiding high-impact moments in the sport can all contribute to a gentler session.
That said, you shouldn’t be too worried about the impact it can have on your knees. Studies showed that skating is gentler on your knees than a typical running routine. Compared to most other forms of aerobics, that’s really not a bad look.
Con: If done improperly or aggressively, skating can have an impact on your joints.
Skating with bad posture or poorly-fitting skates has been known to cause injuries to a person’s knees and ankles. That’s why it’s important to work with good equipment. However, it’s worth pointing out that rollerblading is generally considered to be slightly more dangerous than quad wheel roller skating.
The risk of injury, as well as wear and tear, goes up with skating styles too. Vert skating and roller derbies are known for causing injuries that can lead to long-term joint problems. If you are concerned about the impact skating injuries can cause, going for casual strolls in the rink is best.
The Winner: Roller Skating
Muscle Toning
Pros: Both roller skating and rollerblading are known to be great for muscle toning.
If you’re looking for an aerobic workout that tones your body in its entirety, skating is it. Both roller skating and rollerblading are considered to be full-body workouts, and that means your body will look more svelte than ever before.
Depending on how much you skate and how frequently you hit the roller rink, you should start noticing a change within a month or so of your new skating routine. Most commonly, people notice toning in their legs, inner thighs, and buttocks first.
Cons: Much of the toning that you’ll see will be in your legs.
Though both roller skating and rollerblading are great for toning your entire body, there’s definitely a tendency to see more leg toning than other parts of your body. So, if you are looking for an exercise that will give you great legs, thighs, and buttocks, this is it.
If you’re looking for a routine that primarily tones up your abdomen, roller skating and rollerblading can still work. However, it may take longer to see results.
The Winner: Tied.
Soreness
Pros: Roller skating can be a delightfully low impact way to lose weight.
Did you ever have a workout that left you feeling sore for days after? If so, then you already know that having a low-impact sport can be a smart move. The key to avoiding soreness is to work your way up to higher-impact sport levels.
In the meanwhile, starting off with a leisurely stroll on your skates is a smart way to avoid muscle pain later on.
Cons: It also can leave you sore for days afterwards if you try to get too into it.
Certain forms of exercise using roller skates are notoriously high-energy and require a lot of muscle work. For examples, vert skating involves high amounts of kicking, twists, and turns in order to let rollerbladers wheel up ramps.
If you’re looking for a hardcore workout, vert rollerblading or artistic rollerskating can be the right option. That being said, classic roller skating is considered to be the activity that is least likely to cause soreness.
The Winner: Roller skating
Our Final Take
If you want a fun, low impact style of skating that will help you lose weight and tone up, roller skating is your best bet. It’s safer, offers great muscle toning, and also won’t leave you as sore as a typical
