Ice skating season just started. The only problem is that it only lasts for the winter. Could rollerblading help me become better at ice skating? Arguably, rollerblading and ice skating have similar dynamics. Take this advice and keep practicing on rollerblades or ice skates no matter what to get better. In this article, we will teach you how rollerblading will help you with ice skating.
The Difference Between Rollerblading and Ice Skating
For anyone wondering if they could mess up their ice skating rhythm because of rollerblading, it’s important to know that there is a difference between the two sports. Mastering the craft of rollerblading and ice skating is important. The techniques are different.
Our ability in each activity presents a huge contrast in how you turn, transition, and move. Before getting into those ice skates you need time before transitioning from rollerblades.
The Challenges of Rollerblading
There is a list of potential hazards when it comes to rollerblading. Rollerblading has many challenges such as running into holes, cracks, vehicles, uneven patches, litter, or passersby. Like in ice skating, running into any of these hazards results in a nasty fall.
The Challenge of Ice Skating
Anyone who starts ice skating for the first time will run into challenges. It is not easy. That’s not to say that you should give up on your first try. To name a few of the potential hazards of ice skating is the surface of which you skate on. In the long run, you are better off skating at an indoor park rather than on a frozen-over pond. Rough surfaces are not good for the skates.
Which is Harder?
People have debated for a while now on this question. Rollerblading is the easiest of the two. Why? It is easier to learn to rollerblade than it is to learn how to ice skate. So, rollerblading can help with ice skating.
The Difference in Terrain Field
One huge contrasting element is your surroundings. Ice skating occurs on, well ice. Rollerblades don’t do well on ice or wet surfaces. You can only rollerblade on the solid ground around your neighborhood or at parks accustomed to the sport of rollerblading. Skating on pavements is not the same as skating on ice.
The difference in the contact area for the rollerblade wheels and the blades of the ice skates is major. A major part of the rollerblade wheels stays in connection with the skating surface. In the case of ice skates, only a part of the blades touches the ice and the meeting point keeps shifting as you skate making it more difficult to maintain balance.
The Difference in Comfort of the Shoe
Many complain that their boots are too tight. That is the whole point. When you are trying on shoes for both sports it essential to truthful on how your feet feel. Always make sure that your toes have enough space. Otherwise, your toes are only going to sustain injuries.
Which Terrain is Better?
Generally speaking, ice skating is done over the ice surface, and this provides you a better practice. Your legs and feet have a soft feel and are not directed to any sudden shocks.
Rollerblading is also easy but not as much as ice skating. Rollerblading on a smooth sidewalk is better than skating on rough terrain. That gives your legs a serious challenge in which they don’t want to experience.
Stopping
Don’t get too comfortable on those rollerblades. Here’s your first quiz. How are you going to come to a complete stop in ice skating? If you just answered picking up the heel of your foot and trying to stop, you failed.
Rollerblades have a mechanism on one of the heels to make you stop. In ice skating, skaters have to stop all on there own. This way, you can use that appropriate section of blades to shave the ice nicely and finally stop.
The ice skaters have to sustain maximum weight towards the center to provide balance and use the blades for stopping on ice by shaving off the surface. Failure to change weight or shift too far on either side may result in a nasty fall which nobody wants to have.
How to Accelerate in Rollerblades/Ice Skating
Ice skaters generate friction by inclining in different directions. They push the blades while gliding so as to dig into the surface of the ice, helping skaters make smoother movements over ice.
Just take the wheels off rollerblades, replace the bindings with ice skates, and there you go. Ice skates have the same mechanics as rollerblades. The main reason as to why Rollerblading is a better option than ice skating is how well they are made for recreational purpose. Also the rigid support they offer for feet and ankles.
The Difference in Burning Calories
The main reason why we find activities like these is for exercise. Both sports have the same aerobic value. It also has similar calorie burning, heart rate and respiration. The way you move, stride, do tricks, and other things are basically the same and require whole-body effort.
Seasonal Differences
Before you say that you cannot ice skate because it is summertime, think again. Ice skating can be done year-round since it is indoor whereas rollerblading is limited. It is not recommended that you rollerblade in extremely hot weather conditions. And nobody should ever go ice skating when temperatures on the rise during the winter. Risks of skating on thin ice results in falling through the ice.
Where They Fall Similar
To answer the burning question at hand, practicing on rollerblades is considered beneficial for those who are just beginning ice skaters. Rollerblading helps generate a sense of balance on skates. Better yet, it improves your confidence. Confidence is one of the most important qualities to have.
A Better Balance
In both activities, one gains a better balance. It can help in improving balance and stance. The most important requirement for any skater is to stand on a pair of skates. Standing on a pair of skates improves your static and dynamic balance on your skates.
Rollerblades are similar. You have to learn to balance on those wheels under your feet. Test yourself and stand on rollerblades. Once you are comfortable, you can switch to ice skates as well.
Wheels on Rollerblades
Here’s what you should know about the wheels on rollerblades. Moreover, the wheels of rollerblades extend further to the head and rea. This helps to balance skaters forward and backward at the same time.
And the long-wheelbase gives you a better direction. In the case of ice skating the blade, the base is very thin, and it takes quite a while to determine how to balance.
Improvement of Agility
Practicing on rollerblades improves agility and single-leg control. When you progress from basic to advanced skills, you are challenging your balance, ability to coordinate, and agility to respond to changes. All these elements are necessary to be a good skater be it on pavement or ice.
As a result of more stability, skaters feel more secure and will have better confidence to skate at a good pace.
Movement
Because we have the opportunity to practice in rollerblades, It presents skaters a better sense of movement. Skaters learn speed, how to stride, how to maintain the pace, and how to stop. A lot of skaters who have a fear of side-to-side stability can quickly overcome it with rollerblading as the wide wheelbase contributes more stability.
Your Leg Power Improves
Ice skating and rollerblading is all about using leg muscles. Both exercises help skaters develop better control and balancing skills. All your leg muscles including the core, abdomen, and back get a good workout while rollerblading. Every push or gliding motion stimulates your core muscles. A strong core is supreme for smooth skating skills.
Skates Gain Self-Confidence
Confidence is important. It what makes you say in your mind that you are not going to give up following the first time you fall. Practicing how to be a better skater in rollerblades improves the self-confidence of the skaters. Moving on wheels provides a sense of attainment which can develop your confidence on ice skates as well.
Drills to Try Out in Rollerblading
Here are some drills similar to ice skating to try out when you are rollerblading. These drills help improve skaters’ strides or improve muscles in their bodies.
- Leg Chains: Glide freely by pushing out and pulling in your skates making a chain of O’s as you do in ice.
- Slalom Turns: Turn left and right quickly, alternating between turns on the inside and outside of your rollerblades.
- Shuffles Strides: While bending forward, shift, and stride while holding your legs shoulder-width apart.
- One-Legged Slalom Turns: Raise the inner leg to make long, sweeping turns
- Bouncing Circles: Keep turning in full circles on a single leg, without dropping your weight.
- Jump and Glide: Turn back and forth and then make a jump catching the next turn
