[BigFatBooty]

has anyone used inline skating as an effective workout and what were your results?

I read an article in the hairdressers which stated that inlining gives an excellent aerobic/cardio workout. I am tempted to try, because it's getting nicer here and would give me a outdoor workout, which I assume would be easier on the joints compared to jogging.

Thanks in advance for your help

[Scuttle]

I go inline skating every once in a while, when the weather's warmer. I'm clumsy, so I mostly do it on fairly level paths, and I look like I'm wearing a full suit of armor when I go out. It can definitely be a good workout, it depends on how fast you go.

I'm really not sure how it compares to jogging. Last summer I was doing both. I got more winded jogging than rollerblading, but then again, I could've rollerbladed faster. I find that about 30 minutes is a good stretch of time for me. I don't like rollerblading more than an hour.

Oh, and I seem to remember it working your legs pretty good. Plus you can get some arm action going.

And oh one more time. A lot of places have rollerblading clinics or classes. I'm not sure how you find them. I found one in a state park, and one in a county recreation newsletter. You might try asking at places where you can buy skates, they might know of some. I never did get around to going to one, but I keep meaning to. I don't feel as clumsy on the skates, but I still don't like going down hills that are at all steep or curvy.

[ShelleyM]

I did inline skating for awhile. I would go about an hour. It is supposed to be as good as jogging, but I started jogging again because I don't have a very good place to skate. You do have to make sure that you are using your arms correctly to get the aerobics benefit. You might try doing a search on the Internet to find out the correct posture and the calories used. When I was doing it, I remember finding quite a few websites that were helpful. I wish I could remember them, but it has been a couple of years ago.

[SolShine]

I love to rollerblade, but I hate getting started. Every time I start out I feel like it's the first time I've been on the skates and the front of my calves hurt for the first 10-15 minutes I'm out there. No problem with the joints.

I, too, avoid hills like the plague and, fortunately, there are quite a few trails around here that are pretty wide and pretty flat so I stick to those. The trails here are woodsy and away from traffic and so it's really peaceful even if I just blade along at a stroll pace.

I am working on staying low to get the most "umph!" out my strokes and to really work the glutes and thighs. Standing up straight seems to work other muscles and not really be much of a work out.

Some places rent rollerblades for the day or by the hour so you can try them before you make the investment. It's worth it to spend the money on a good, high quality pair of skates if you decide to start blading all the time. We have a store here called "Play It Again Sports" that rents skates and you can apply the rental fee toward a new pair if you decide to get some.

I think I'll like it more as I get better at it.