Different Uses of Inline Skates

Roller skating is an excellent activity for people of all athletic levels. When you grab your skates, you have a range of options, from taking a casual glide through town to competing in a more intensive derby session. Everyone can find a version of skating that fits their interests. Because there are so many different types of skating, it is very important to make sure you are using skates that suit your needs. Today, we outline one of the most used types of skates and explain what inline skates are.

What Are Inline Skates?

Inline skates are a great option if you already have some skating experience. Inline skates are better for more advanced skaters because their wheels are arranged in a straight line on the bottom of the boot. This configuration differs from quad skates, the other most popular type of skate, which have wheels arranged in a rectangle on the bottom of the boot.

Due to the arrangement of the wheels on these skates, quad skates are typically better than inline skates for beginners because they provide better balance. That said, the design of inline skates allows for faster speed than quad skates do. For this reason, inline skates are preferred for a number of advanced skating options.

Different Uses of Inline Skates

Several types of skating styles cater to inline skates. Some of the more popular are outlined below.

Speed Skating

The ultimate goal of speed skating is to go as fast as you are able on open roads or indoor tracks. Inline skates are built for speed and, therefore, are the perfect shoe for speed skating. It is a competitive style of skating that involves precision, endurance, and technique. Speed skating is only recommended for advanced skaters because of the increased risk of injury at high speeds.

Freestyle Skating

Freestyle skating often takes place in large cities because one requires industrial terrain to participate fully. This version of the sport involves dodging obstacles, taking sharp turns, and weaving in, out, and over various areas. The roller skating that one would see at a skate park would fall under the category of freestyle skating.

The presence of obstacles and jumps in freestyle skating means that you should only engage with caution and safety equipment. Still, if you freestyle skate, inline skates are the best option for you because they allow the most agile and unrestricted movement.

Recreational Skating

We have already determined that inline skates are excellent for those looking for speed. They are also great for those who want to skate casually. Recreational skating can be done indoors at a rink or outdoors on flat ground and is doable by people of all fitness levels. Despite the slower nature of recreational skating, it is still a great form of exercise.

Fitness Skating

For those who want to level up their workout game, fitness skating is a great form of exercise. It is more intense than recreational skating but still has all of the fun benefits. Skating for an hour at higher speeds can torch more than 600 calories an hour, though the exact number will depend on your weight. In any case, this number is often greater than it would be if you chose to run or cycle instead.

Off Road Skating

For those who really want to get their heart rate up, off-road skating is a rush of adrenaline. Off-road skating is done on rugged terrains, such as dirt or gravel paths. Off-road skating comes with the additional risk of hitting a bump incorrectly and ending up on the ground, so you should always have safety and other roller skating equipment on hand when you engage. It is a great form of inline skating for those who like to explore things off the beaten path. 

Roller Skating Equipment

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned skater, check out the selection of skate gear at Crazy Skates today!