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Wed May 17, 2006 12:38 am  |
i am desperate to get back into shape again as i've just been a slug this winter. there don't seem to be gyms per se in paris and the apartment is too tiny for any equipment (plus it's now gorgeous outside!). i've been wanting to take up inline skating which i've tried only once a few years ago. i was actually quite good at the skate part as i grew up ice skating and skiing. my problem was the stopping. i can't 
anyways, any tips and what to look for when buying skates would be greatly appreciated.
tia |
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Wed May 17, 2006 7:09 am |
i guess your only choices will be colour and price, seeing as you will most likely get inline skates for recreational use. when i got my first skates i was overwhelmed by the different types but quickly realised that most of them were not what i needed, i.e. racing, tricks etc... so i basically chose the best looking pair from a reputable brand. just try on a few pairs to see which feel most comfortable because that's the most important thing.
oli |
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Wed May 17, 2006 8:01 am |
I love skating! In fact, it's the only form of exercise that I truly enjoy. Plus, it's great for firming up the fanny 
I definitely would say to try on many pairs of skates and buy the skates that fit your feet the best. I would stay away from the cheapest skates, but the mid-range skates have been just fine for me.
BTW, I couldn't find skates with enough arch support for my feet, so I bought some good arch support inserts from the drugstore, which has made all the difference!
Also, invest in good knee and wrist guards, especially since you're not good at stopping! 
- B |
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Wed May 17, 2006 9:26 am |
thank you both! and don't worry, i plan to get *full* protection, possibly even the pad that protects your bum. as a former skier since i was a wee one, i know i've learned to lean back when losing control -- not so good on skates, i know.  thank you very much for your suggestion, Bee, about arch supports. i have a pair of SuperFeet in my hiking boots i think i'll take to the store.
here's the rub. the places to skate in paris are pretty rough terrain. i was looking online at the k2 vo2 max that have 90mm wheels -- supposedly bigger is better for this, no? i'd like to be able to skate everywhere eventually and that will mean, gulp, occassional cobblestones not to mention an inordinate amount of dog sh-- weaving.
in my online search, i also noticed something called landrollers that have two huge irregular out of line wheels that are supposed to be perfect for terrain like i'll be skating. has anyone heard of these? check it out -- i'm hugely tempted! http://www.landroller.com |
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Wed May 17, 2006 5:28 pm |
| my method of stopping is to slow down and grab something, if I need to stop in a BIG hurry I just fall down. I rollerblade in areas where there's very litte traffic, no side roads..and few people. |
_________________
Combination - dehyrdated, acne, sensitive, late 20's. |
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Thu May 18, 2006 12:47 am |
| Hi, Bee and everyone else, I'm an old lady 52, but I;m interested in skating. besides getting the equipt. How would you suggest i learn, trial-n-error or take lessons? and where do people teach this. Thanks, Janet. |
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Thu May 18, 2006 12:56 am |
Janet,
you're young!!! i think taking lessons is seriously the way to go in the beginning. they seem to offer them all over. where are you located? i'm going to try and find a teacher myself here that speaks *some* english. i wish i could use lianne's method of stopping  but i'm afraid i'm smack dab in the city. |
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Thu May 18, 2006 7:33 am |
Hi Janet,
I was in my late thirties when I first started skating, but was sixty pounds overweight and extremely klutzy!
If you're a beginner, I highly stress finding a path that is very flat and as smooth as possible -- even a small decline is treacherous in the beginning. Empty parking lots are very boring, but if there is nowhere else, they are a good place to start.
Expect to feel less than graceful in the beginning -- I looked and felt like an idiot at first, but I got the hang of it after a while.
I'm still not great at braking -- I practice every time I go out. The main thing is to center your weight over your skates, and keep your arms close into your sides. Balance with the arm opposite your braking side forward, and the arm on your breaking side back. Sort of like you're posing for a bowling trophy. Practice this going very slowly on a smooth flat area, and you'll get the hang of it without too many bumps and bruises .
Another thing to practice is to turn around quickly. I use this much more than braking to avoid danger.
BTW, Tia, I guess I'm lucky in that I have my bum padding built right in! 
--B |
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