Roller-blading

[jeanette1976]

Does anyone own a pair of roller-blades? If so, how good is it for fitness and getting in shape? Great for legs? What about calorie burning?

I thought I'd like to try it as it seems much more fun than the gym. The thing is that I'm fairly shy, so I don't want to go to the gym on my own but then there aren't that many places to practice apart from a local park, which is miles away. I'd feel so silly practicising on my own and falling over.... and no, none of my mates are into keeping fit or anything like that, but I'm desperate to make a start as I've been saying I'll lose a stone for years!

Can anyone give me any advice on starting and where i can get boots?

Thanks

[DavidUK]

My 12 yr old son is very keen on roller blading. He can do all kinds of tricks now - skating backwards, jumps etc - and it is very good exercise. He also gets a lot of knocks and bruises, though.

The main problem for us is that he wants to use the ramps provided in various parks but there are often teenage yobs hanging around. If you just want to skate along paths, though, that won't be a problem and it is still good exercise.

We got his last pair of boots from JJB - a pretty decent pair for �50.

It might be a good idea to wear some padding around your rear end when you start! Good luck!

[birdwoman]

I got a pair of roller-blades from sports world (you know those cheap sports shops that sell Donnay gear?) they were only about 12 quid. I bought the helmet & padding for about a tenner as well. Brilliant fun - I would thoroughly recommend it and it is great exercise. I used to skate along the prom with some friends near where I live but since they all dropped out I haven't been since as, like you, I don't want to look silly on my own!!