Family Encyclopedia >> Sports

Nice winter work-out:ice skating

Ice skating is one of the best winter workouts out there. It keeps you fit, it keeps you warm and it also burns a lot of calories.

What are the benefits of skating?

An hour of skating is good for burning 300 to 500 calories. In addition, skating helps with a better condition, balance and coordination, and you also train your legs, core (back, abdomen and pelvis) and buttocks. A great work-out.

This is how you do it

Skating is largely technical. Taking lessons can help you a lot in a short time. Do not be alarmed if you lose your balance and fall, that is common among novice skaters. In any case, always try to have your balance in your heels and keep your knees slightly bent. That way you have more control. Once you can manage on the ice, try to skate faster and faster:so more lanes in the same time.

Choose the right skate

There is nothing more annoying than sore feet and blisters from poorly fitted skates. With this step-by-step plan you buy the right skate.

Step 1 Decide which skate you want

As a novice skater it is better not to choose high Norwegians. Your ankle muscles are not yet well trained, so it is important that they are not too high above the ice. The closer your skate is to the ice, the less strain you put on your ankles and the more stable you can skate. Therefore choose combi-nors or comfort-nors.

Step 2 Choose the same size as your shoe size, or even a size smaller (unless the manufacturer tells you which skate is suitable for you)

A size that is too large will make you wobbly on your skates and will not have a grip on the ice.

Step 3 Wear the right socks

When trying on your skates, wear socks that you will also wear while skating. For example, choose fitness socks or socks made of thin wool. Wearing two 'normal' socks over each other causes chafing and blisters.

Step 4 Determine whether the skates fit properly

Tie the laces of your skates tight and then stand up straight. Your heel should touch the back of the skate and your toes should not touch the front. The skate should sit firmly around your heel and ankle, but not feel painful or uncomfortable.

Video:which skates are right for you?