Always, always avoid wet surfaces. Wet areas can sometimes be skated on, while other times they cannot. If you are on a really smooth surface a wet area will make it very dangerous. If it is un-avoidable and you have to inline skate through water don’t start skating hard again until you see the wet wheel stripe disappear. Standing water is bad as if you go through it, the water can get in your bearings causing them to rust which ultimately ruins them. Check out my experience here.

• Skating Hills
  

Skating uphill is always a tricky proposition. Hills of all sizes are a lot of work to get up and very tricky going down the hill. When you are skating uphill you want to point your toes out to form a “V” and keep your momentum going forward and take quick, short strides. When going downhill do not just go flying down with reckless abandon, if you do so you may cause harm to yourself or others. Before you skate down the hill make sure you check it out and study it. Once you start going down make sure you control your speed by using your brake.

• Keep your Head Up
  

When skating always keep your head up. Stay alert at all times. When you have your head down you can’t see what’s going on. If there are tons of people or objects on the path you are skating in if your head is down you may find the rest of you down. So keep that head up when skating to make sure you are aware of everything that is going on around you.

• Skate Nice
  

Make sure you observe proper skating etiquette. Much like driving a car, when skating you always want to skate to the right and pass on the left. It’s also proper trail etiquette to say you are passing on the left when coming up to someone from behind, if you let them know you are approaching you can avoid a possible accident. Always smile when near someone to let them know you are friendly and are out skating to have a good time and get a good workout in.

• Listen to your Skates
  

Of course skates can talk. When they talk you need to listen or you can injure yourself or others. When your skates start making a grinding sound it could mean your bearings are worn or dirty. A rattling sound could mean you have a loose axle, wheel, frame or bolt. Always carry a skating tool with you so that in the event your skates start talking away you can fix the problem before someone gets hurt.

Follow these simple 5 steps when skating and you will ensure hours of fun skating for yourself and those around you.

You just skated Five miles at a pretty solid speed and rate. You get home and take all your gear off and hop in the shower. After the shower you are sitting around eating dinner or maybe just watching the television and you get up to get something out of the fridge and that’s when you feel it. That’s right I’m talking about muscle soreness. Pain in your muscles is frequently felt when you start a new exercise and change the intensity of your normal routine. Now don’t freak out this is totally normal and doesn’t require a visit to your local doctor, or the emergency room if you skated later in the evening and the clinic is closed.

This delayed soreness isn’t the same as the pain or fatigue you might feel in your legs while you are actually inline skating. The delayed soreness is generally the worst the first couple of days after you go skating and will start to go away in the next few days.

The cause of this soreness is thought to be a tearing of your muscle fibers. It depends on how much tearing of the fibers based on how long or how hard you are skating. This muscle soreness is common with beginner skaters as there bodies aren’t used to the motions experienced while skating.

There is no 100 percent effective way to relieve this muscle soreness other than just simply relaxing and taking it easy for a couple days and let it heal naturally. You can try light stretching, but again it’s not 100 percent effective.

Tips for Dealing with Muscle Soreness

Here are some tips for dealing with the muscle soreness after your first skate or long, hard skate.

1. Rest and Recover- simply wait it out; the soreness is usually gone in a week
2. Ice Bath- there is no actual evidence but a lot of professional athletes use ice baths and say there muscles feel a lot better when they get out
3. Gentle Stretching- if you gently stretch after your skate, you will feel some relief
4. Sports Massage- some studies have shown that a sports massage reduces muscle soreness
5. Warm Up- it’s a little late for that the first time, but make sure you warm-up before you skate the next time to reduce muscle fatigue

Inline skating can be a scary proposition for a newbie.  Their mind starts racing worrying about whether they may fall and how badly they may get hurt as falling on pavement doesn’t usually feel too good.  If you have skated before and know how to skate I would stop reading.

Now, if you are a beginner who is afraid to try skating because of your fear of falling or just someone who wants to skate but feels they are to un-coordinated to try it, continue reading.  I am here to offer some tips on the proper skating position, braking position, and what to do should you fall and need to get back up.

You can build muscle memory for skating all in the comforts of your own home on carpet.  You don’t need to step out on the streets on your first time.  You can simply throw your skates on at home, step on the carpet and away you go.

Proper Skating Position

You may have heard that straight legs are great for walking.  What you don’t know is a straight leg can cause you to fall and injure yourself while inline skating.  To train your muscles for the proper position which would be knees bent simply stand with your feet shoulder width apart in your best posture.

Your spine should be positioned on your natural curves and your spine should be loose and flexible.  Now raise your hands to waist level, then without leaning forward push your knees about 5-6 inches and keep your eyes forward and shoulders above your hips and hips over your heels.

Braking Position

To get a proper and comfortable braking position apply the following tips.

1. Get into a relaxed ready position with your knees bent and your hands out in front.
2. Shift the majority of your weight over the skate that doesn’t have a brake on it.
3. Now with the skate that has the brake slide it forward slowly about 8 inches, but keep all your weight on the other foot and form a triangle.
4. Make sure your feet are parallel and around 4 inches apart so your toes point forward.

Repeat these steps several times to get muscle memory for braking.

Getting Up after Falling Down

Now, nobody likes to fall as it hurts and could leave you bloody and broken.  A great way to avoid damage is try to control your fall.  As you skate if you feel wobbly and think you are about to fall simply lean forward with your hands out, bent at the waist and fall forward.  Now you are wearing protective gear so this will minimize any damage and make the fall less nasty than someone who doesn’t do that and falls.

I hope after reading these tips you grab a pair of skates and go rolling because it’s a great workout and a lot of fun.

Nowadays you don’t have the option of trying on inline skates before you buy them like in the old days. Most stores have stopped selling skates and the one’s that do typically only carry a few models, and they usually only have certain sizes. Because of this people have turned to the good ol’ internet to purchase their skates. There is nothing wrong with that, but like most other items things you buy online can’t be tried on and therefore making sure you get the right size can be tricky. Below is a nice little 3 step guide with some very helpful tips to buying skates online successfully.

Find a website that has a favorable Return Policy

All companies should have a return section on their site that explains the process of accepting returns. Make sure you read that so you know what will happen should your skates not fit. Pay attention to such details, as who pays return shipping (more than likely you). Be on the lookout for restocking fees as some companies have them and they can be a bit pricey. Before you order call their Customer Service line for exact instructions on how to go about doing a return, mention the specific skate so they can double check for restocking fees on that skate.

Order the Skates

After you have followed step one and have called Customer Service for assistance go ahead and place an order for the skates you so desire. If after getting some advice you are still unsure about sizing go ahead and purchase two pairs so that you have two to try on. Keep in mind that you will need to return one and thus likely to have to pay for the return shipping cost.

Test the skates out on Carpet

No online company will take back your skates if they look to be used. So if you try them on outside the wheels will become worn and scratched and when you send them back you won’t be seeing a full refund. When the skates arrive pull them out and put them on in a carpeted area. Once you have them on and securely fastened stand up and skate in place a little by moving your feet back and forth to see how the skates feel. Check your ankles to make sure the skates are fitting comfortably and they feel good. When that is all said and done, keep them on for five or ten minutes to make sure they still feel comfortable. After the time is up take the skates off and see how your feet feel, if they feel good and the fit is right those are the skates for you.

As you can see shopping online for skates isn’t the best way, it surely isn’t the pain in the butt some people think it is. If you call the company and speak to their Customer Service department you should be able to get an idea on the return policy and the size to order. Once you receive them and try them out on carpet you will be good to go skating.

Buying inline skates for you can be a pain free process.  However, buying kid's inline skates for your child can be a whole different matter.  Unlike an adult whose foot has stopped growing, your child’s feet are constantly growing, thus making it hard to find the right size.  Of course once you find that right size you may worry that your child’s foot will have grown after one year of use.  The purpose of this guide is to help you understand the components of inline skates and help you figure out the best skate to purchase for your child.

Sizing

Sizing is the most important part of picking an inline skate for your child.  As you may know kid’s feet grow very quickly, which makes getting a skate a tricky ordeal.  Your kid may wear a size 2 but after one season they could jump to a size 4, thus making that brand new skate un-usable.  With that in mind its best to find an adjustable skate.  Adjustable skates will allow you to adjust the size of the skate in some cases up to four sizes and it’s very easy to do.  When deciding on an adjustable skate you want to start with a size that is close to where your child is now.  For example if your child wears a size 11, you would want to select a skate that is sized 11-1.  If your child is a size 1, to be safe and to get maximum use you would select a 1-4 or 2-5 skate.

Lacing Options

Another factor to consider when purchasing an inline skate for your child is the type of closure/lacing system that is offered.  Ideally you want to get something that your child can do on their own so they can put the skate on a take off without any assistance from you the parent.

Laces:  Just as it’s written, these skates are closed by laces, which are tied like a regular shoe and also come with a buckle, or strap for additional fit and stability.

BOA: This is a very easy option that your child will be able to do on their own.  There is a dial on the front of the skate that your child will turn until they get a nice tight, secure and comfortable fit.

Speedlace:  This is also an easy way for your child to tighten their skates.  Features a pull tab so to speak as they will simply grab the lace and pull to get a nice tight, secure and comfortable fit.

As you can see there is a little more involved to picking out the right size and type of skate for your child.  The best size would be to get an adjustable so your child will get more use out of the skate.  There are also different lacing options to take into consideration.  Hopefully, this guide was a big help in deciding the best type of skate for your child.

1.    Not Wearing Equipment

I see this all the time, people out skating without pads on and they slip and fall and cut themselves up pretty good, or worse they get a possible broken bone.  I have been skating for years and if I’m going to be around a lot of people I wear full gear, if I am skating around the neighborhood I still wear wrist guards.  Protective gear is not going to break your bank account, so please put some pads on and keep yourself protected.

2.    Putting on Skates that don’t Fit

Inline skates are not cheap, everyone knows that, but be smart and pick the right size skates when you purchase them.  If you get the wrong size you are probably going to quit after 10 minutes of skating and you probably won’t ever skate again because you think it’s not for you.  Inline skating is a great way to stay in shape and can be a lot of fun.  Make sure you get the right size skates.

3.    Skates that are too Advanced

If you are a beginner don’t go grabbing the skates with the really big wheels and low cut boot.  Those are skates for people that are much more advanced and are into marathons and competitions.  For a first time skater those big 90-100mm wheels are going to be way too big and you’ll fall or have a real tough time trying to turn and maneuver.  Stay away from those until you have been skating for years..

4.    First Day Marathon

You are brand new to inline skating, don’t think you can strap the skates and protective gear on and skate 20 miles.  You will be so sore the next day you’ll never touch those skates again.  Newbie’s, take it easy.  Go for a quick skate, like a ½ mile.  Don’t try to be a hero your first few times out.

5.    Learn How to Brake

Brakes are on your skates for a reason so use em.  There is nothing worse than skating at a park and next thing you know someone is barreling into you because they are going too fast and can’t stop.  For the sake of others around you and your own safety (you don’t want to run into Andre the Giant) learn how to brake before you start skating.  It is easy to do and you can try it right in your own neighborhood before you hit the trails.

As many know inline skating has been popular for years and continues to grow.  Many of the popular reasons for this are it is fun, affordable, healthy and everyone can do it.  Here are 5 reasons for why one should pick up inline skating.  These reasons are in no particular order.

1. Inline Skating allows you to collect your thoughts

If you are someone who likes to be alone, this is a great activity to do on your own.  Simply throw on your skates and off you go, it allows you to collect your thoughts.

2. Inline Skating is a form of Transportation

If you are going somewhere relatively close by put your skates on and roll on over.  With gas prices so high these days, if you are just running to the store to grab a couple little things, why not skate there instead of driving.

3. Inline Skating is a great Workout

Burn calories and tone muscles while skating.  Unlike running, inline skating will keep your joints feeling good.  Inline skating is fun and easy to do and not near as dreadful of a thought as it is to start running or jogging.

4. Inline Skating is a fun family activity

Everyone in your family can skate.  Once you learn how, everyone in the family can go out and purchase a pair of skates and it’s a fun family activity.  You can plan to go to a park and skate and have lunch and spend quality family time together.

5. Inline Skating is a great way to make new friends

There are groups, clubs, couples and friends that love to inline skate.  Night out in New York City is a popular club that gets together and goes skating.  There are many other clubs/groups that you can participate in.  Everyone is on equal footing and allows you to chat and hang out with other people.

I am sure everyone is aware of your traditional marathons, like the Boston Marathon and New York Marathon.  Now those are for people running and have a division for walkers.  Well for the inline skating enthusiast there are also Inline skating marathons.  One of the biggest in the United States is the Metrodome Inline Marathon.

The Metrodome Inline Marathon is the world’s only indoor marathon.  On March 17, 2012 the 7th Annual Metrodome Inline Marathon takes place at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minnesota.  This marathon is a friendly environment accepting marathon skaters of all skill levels ranging from beginner all the way up to professional.  A lot of skaters use this as a warm-up to get in shape for the marathon season, while others use this wonderful event to push themselves to levels they have never reached before.