When most people think about roller skating, they think of pint-sized tots who are just learning how to skate. Or, maybe they think about teenagers who are looking for a neat after school sport to impress their friends with. It’s definitely a youthful sport in the eyes of most people around us.
The thing is, people get bitten by the “skating bug” at a wide age range.
When you’re a kid, wanting to learn how to roller skate is pretty straightforward. All you need to do is ask your parents for a skate rental and then hit the rink. By the time that you’re a young adult, getting into skating still makes a lot of sense. You’re in the prime of your life. You need to get some of that energy out, don’t you?
But what about when you’re in your 30s? 40s? Or, what if you decide that you finally want to give skating a try in your 50s? Most people who decide to get active later on in life tend to feel intimidated by roller skating. They often ask, “Am I too old to roller skate?”
If this sounds like you, we want you to know that you’re not alone—not by a long shot. As years pass, the number of older people who want to give roller skating a try has increased dramatically.
Many do end up hitting the rink, but others can feel a little intimidated by the sight of slippery skates. So, what’s the deal? Can a person be too old to roller skate? This guide will give you a little bit of an idea on what to expect….
Am I Too Old To Roller Skate?
The concept of using age as a measure of skating ability might be a little misguided. After all, there are people as old as 90 who are enjoying themselves, coasting along on their skates in the middle of roller rinks across the country. A better thing to look at is your overall health.
Am I Healthy Enough To Roller Skate?
As long as you’re in reasonably good health, you should be able to enjoy roller skating regardless of the age that you’re at. However, if you have severe osteoporosis, brittle bones, or are dealing with serious breathing difficulties, roller skating might be off the table—at least, until you get better.
With that said, some forms of roller skating are better suited for older people. These include casual rink skating as well as speed skating. If you want to do stunt skating, roller derby, or vert skating, it’s worth pointing out that there will be a higher risk of injury.
If you aren’t sure whether you’re fit enough to roller skate, the best thing you can do is ask a doctor. If your doctor gives you the go-ahead, then skate on!
What To Expect When You’re Learning To Roller Skate As An Older Skater
Though any age can be fine for learning how to roller skate, there are going to be key differences when it comes to the overall experience you’ll have as a beginner. Here’s what you should be aware of:
- It will take you a longer time to learn the basics. When we’re young, our muscle memory is still developing. This means that you should expect to see a steeper learning curve if you start off as a young adult. When we’re older, our muscles are used to very specific actions. This means that it can take a longer time just to learn how to stand on your skates.
- You might need to be cautious. As we age, our bones become brittle. If you are going to attempt tricks and stunts, you better make sure to wear sturdy padding and invest in a good pair of wrist guards. Keep an eye out on where you are, too, since a quick trip is all it takes to fall.
- Remember that skating can be as light or as intense as you want it to be. The vast majority of people can enjoy roller skating at one pace or another. People can easily build themselves up to a high-intensity skate session well into their 40s and 50s. If you are not ready for that, take it easy.
- Practice always improves performance. Believe it or not, there are people out there who have severe arthritis and have been diagnosed with osteoporosis who still skate on a daily basis. How do they do it? They keep at it and fight the health issues that they currently have.
- There are other older skaters out there. You’ll be amazed at how many others will join you.
- It’s all about attitude. In most cases, the biggest deterrent for older people who want to try roller skating is their attitude. They may be worried about ridicule, or they may worry about injuries that aren’t even going to happen. This is not a positive way of thinking and will set you up for failure more than anything else would. You have nothing to lose by giving it a try.
Can You Find Adult Roller Skating Lessons?
Absolutely! Most roller rinks will have at least one class geared towards adults of all ages who want to learn how to skate. All you have to do to find a class near you is to call up your local rink. It’s really that simple.
If there aren’t any classes near you, it’s still possible to teach yourself how to skate. However, we suggest having a more experienced skater teach you. A quick look on social media can help you link up with older skaters who are willing to show you the ropes.
Can You Be Too Old For Roller Derby?
This question is a little dicey, since roller derby is a contact sport. It’s also a sport that’s known for rough playing. In an ideal world, you would have given roller derby a try when you were only 18 and had those youthful, supple joints. But, life doesn’t always work like that.
Truth be told, roller derby does have a maximum age. Most people start seeing an increased risk of injury around 45. However, there are still plenty of older players in the game. It’s not unheard of to see women in their late thirties and early forties in the rink.
With all that said, choosing to go into a roller derby when you’re older is a decision that is yours to make. Most wouldn’t risk it, especially if they have arthritis or other joint problems. But, if you want to do it and the team will let you in, there’s no reason why you should stop yourself.
Why Being An Older Roller Skater Is A Good Idea
If you were worried about breaking bones or having other issues along those lines, you might want to put those worries to rest. There are more benefits to being on skates than there are risks.
Roller skating can help strengthen your bones, much like most other forms of exercise do. It also can act as a gentle way to get your daily amount of cardio exercise in, which can help prevent a heart attack. As with any type of exercise, it also boosts your metabolism, makes you feel happier, and improves muscle tone.
It’s also worth pointing out that many older skaters initially started their roller skating journeys to find new friends. If you’ve been feeling lonely, then it’s likely that you will be able to find the community that you want in skating.
In other words, roller skating can be a reliable and fun way to improve your overall health. So, if you’ve been looking for a good way to make your life and your body feel better, this is a good option. Even if you aren’t in the best of shape, roller skating can potentially be the catalyst to turn your life around.
The Final Take
At the end of the day, you should never ask, “Am I too old to roller skate?” There’s no expiration date on having fun, nor is there any reason why you shouldn’t give a gentle skate routine a try. There are people who are in their 60s, 70s, 80s, and even 90s taking their rounds on their local roller rink floors. Who’s to say that you can’t join them?
Admittedly, there will be some major difference that you will need to pay attention to if you choose to go skating. People who are advanced in age shouldn’t try rougher roller skating styles and sports. There will a more difficult learning curve. And, you might need to be extra careful when it comes to falls.
As much as there may be a risk of taking a tumble, the benefits of a good skate session absolutely outweigh the pitfalls. Between the potential of having new friends, getting more toned, and also enjoying yourself in a brand new sport, it’s safe to say that you will be able to find a home in the world of skating.
