from How To Inline Skate on 29 May 2019
Here are 4 things to do every time you skate. #1 – SprintDo some sprints. Get your heart pumping.A few ways to sprint:- Uphill- GPS. I use an app called FITAPP. It has a computer voice that speaks up every 500 meters. This lets me do intervals without looking at the phone.- Another option is to use a timer. For example, sprint for 20 seconds, then rest for 1 minute. Repeat 5 times. – Or simply find two marks a few hundred meters apart. Every time you’re out skating you sprint between these two spots.Find a way that works for you … Btw, the proper term is “high intensity interval training” (Hiit). It is good for your cardioviscular health, which means heart and blood vessels. It also helps you stabilize insulin levels, which is good for weight loss.Even brain power is supposed to get a boost … I wish!********#2 – CalisthenicsSkating is great for your legs and good for your core. But to get the body you dream of … I recommend some strength training as well. If you are lucky enough to have a free outdoor gym, make it a habit to do some pull-ups, chin-ups, push-ups, muscle-ups, you name it…Okay, there are plenty of great calisthenics channels on youtube. Check THEM out for inspiration.********#3 – Practice a SkillDo you have this one thing you really want to learn? Spend some 5-20 minutes on this specific skill. Make sure you’re warmed up but not too tired yet.Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Often it helps to break a skill down into several sub-skills.For example …Some years back I wanted to learn the powerstop. I didn’t know how to approach it. I tried to do ice hockey stops, but it DID NOT work at all on inline skates.Then, unexpectedly, while doing sharp turns, I realized something. If I did a sharp turn while staying low and pushing the heel – the oustide skate would lose grip.Then it took weeks of practice until I consistently could control this – and do a powerstop!The next year I learned to abort a slide midway and continue into a rotation.And here, now, today, I practice a triple combo of slide & spin & sitting down.********#4 – Be CreativeFind new ways to skate! Funny strides?Play ball with a pine cone! Or try to stop as close as possible without touching it.Whatever you can think of. Keep an open mind.Remember, I learned the powerstop while playing around with sharp turns.Your skill level doesn’t matter. A beginner may roll on some new surfaces or try balancing on one leg, etc.Maybe you look silly but so what?************SummaryDo some sprints. It’s good for your heart.Calisthenics. It makes you look good.Practice a new skill. Be creative. Experiment. Skate and have fun.That’s all for today. I’m JP Jay. Thank you for watching!