Learn What Are the Health Benefits of Ice Skating
Whether you like to rollerblade, roller skate, or ice skate–the news is good! Skating has many health and fitness benefits to keep you in shape and feeling great.
And in the dead of winter, there are many local rinks for skating so that you can stay safe and fit during the bitter, cold months. It’s a fun way to exercise, relieve stress, increase strength and have a good time!
Here are 7 Health Benefits of Skating:
Burns Calories
The calorie-burning benefits of roller skating add up quickly; According to the Harvard Medical School, you can burn between 200 and 600 calories if you skate for a full hour.
Weight management can be challenging for us any time of the year, but during the dark cold winter months it’s even more challenging, skating is a great way to combat this plus it’s fun and it’s social.
Works the Legs and Arms
Skating works the legs and glutes as you power through movement while your arms and core get a workout as you balance your body during the movement. Skating also helps build strength, especially in the major muscle groups of the lower body – the gluteals, quads, hamstrings, and calves.
Stronger muscles and better coordination work together to prevent injuries and keep you active and limber as you age.
Easy on the Joints
Skating provides you with fluid motion that keeps you from damaging your joints. According to a study conducted at the University of Massachusetts, skating causes less than 50 percent of the impact shock to joints compared to light jogging.
In other words, an aerobic skating workout has the same benefit as the same amount of time spent jogging, only without joint damage. That being said, the ice rink is an incredibly slippery surface so make sure you are experienced or get lessons before you head out onto the ice and always wear a helmet.
Great for Improving Balance, Agility, and Coordination
Skating helps improve balance with the strength of abdominal muscles and lower-back muscles since you must maintain a steady core to stay upright on the narrow blade of the skate. Coordinating balance, arm and leg movement improves coordination.
The synchronized movement of the upper body and lower body are also great for agility and proprioception. So, to put it simply if you ice skate regularly you will gain improved balance.
Cardiovascular Health
The cardiovascular benefits of ice skating are documented. The American Heart Association recognizes roller skating and ice skating as effective aerobic exercises that help strengthen the heart.
Moderate roller skating increases a skater’s heart rate to levels ranging from 140 to 160 beats per minute while skating at top speeds can increase heart rate up to around 180 beats per minute.
Improve Endurance
In addition to increasing muscle strength, skating can help increase muscle endurance. Adding a few uphill climbs to each skating session trains your muscles, along with your cardiovascular system, to use the body’s energy stores more efficiently. This means you can skate longer distances – and do other intense workouts – without becoming exhausted.
Mental Health
Have you ever seen a person skating and frowning at the same time? Of course not! Between the music, lights, sunlight, fresh air, social aspect, and health benefits, skating can be a very fun workout!
Physical activity releases endorphins which improve your mood and self-confidence. Ice skating workouts are a great way to socialize and exercise in the cold winter months.
This winter, when the days are long, cold, and dark, think about hitting your local skating rink for some fitness fun. Ice skating, rollerblading, and roller skating are all fun ways to exercise. Your body will thank you for it!
If you have any questions about exercise and fitness for ice skating or any other recreational activity you may want to participate in, contact: Paspa Physical Therapy. We are conveniently located in the NYC midtown area on 35th street.