Purchasing Fitness Inline Skates

While selecting fitness inline skates, consider three main factors: Choose approximately one European size or half a UK size larger than your regular footwear, account for the wheel size, and determine if you prefer a soft-boot or hard-boot design.

Take a look at this video, where we swiftly introduce the crucial aspects you should know before buying your initial pair of recreational or fitness inline skates.

Fitness skates offer excellent compatibility for workouts and leisure activities, providing smooth and pleasant skating experiences. They are renowned for their excellent fit and comfort, and they are breathable, enhancing the ease of skating. These skates are suitable for users of all ages, including children and seniors.

Fitness Inline Skates - Promoting Health and Social Interaction

Using fitness skates is an enjoyable method to burn calories and intake fresh air. Additionally, they serve as a fantastic social activity with family, friends, or partners.

Many physicians suggest inline skating as a knee-friendly alternative to running. Skating involves long, sliding motions that are gentler on the knees compared to the impact of running, allowing you to savour time spent outdoors.

Recreational inline skates come in a wide variety of models and styles, enabling you to select a pair that suits your taste.

Wheels for Fitness Inline Skates

Wheel Size

Your choice of wheel size should reflect the intended distance of your workout.

• For longer journeys, like marathons or regular exercises, larger wheels are recommended. These wheels help you maintain speed more effortlessly and require less energy. We suggest wheels with a 90-100 mm diameter, or even 110 mm.

• For shorter travels, such as city skating, smaller wheels are beneficial. They increase maneuverability, making stopping and turning easier. We propose wheel sizes of 80-84 mm.

Wheel Hardness

Wheel hardness is denoted by an A. The ideal hardness for fitness skates ranges from 78 to 85A.

• A higher A value indicates tougher wheels.
• A lower A value implies softer wheels.

Wheel hardness influences the lifespan, grip, speed, and shock absorption of the wheels.

• Softer wheels offer better grip and shock absorption but have a shorter lifespan and slower speed.
• Harder wheels provide greater longevity and speed but less grip and shock absorption.

If you wish to explore more about skate wheels, check out our guide Wheel Terms Explained.

Bearings

For optimal skate performance, it's crucial to keep bearings in good condition. This involves:

• Minimizing exposure to water and moisture.
• Avoiding sand and dirt contact.

The bearing, a vital component within the wheel, facilitates spinning. At SkatePro, we usually classify bearings using the ABEC scale, which gauges precision.

• The higher the ABEC rating, the better the precision and lower the roll resistance - aiding in speed maintenance and providing a smoother roll.

We advise purchasing from a reputable brand rather than focusing exclusively on the ABEC rating, as bearing quality involves multiple factors beyond ABEC alone. For instance, an ABEC 5 bearing from one brand might perform better than an ABEC 7 from another. For detailed insight on bearings, refer to our guide Buying Bearings.

Boots and Liners

Soft-Boot vs. Hard-Boot

Your preference for a soft or hard boot/shell is a personal choice.

• Soft boots/shells typically offer greater comfort and ventilation.
• Hard boots/shells generally deliver more stability and control.

Liners

For certain skates, separate liners (inner boots) are available to enhance comfort. However, fitness inline skates generally come with comfortable liners built-in, celebrated for their high level of comfort.

Men's and Women's Inline Skates

Inline skates are often categorized by gender, yet often there are only aesthetic differences. Some manufacturers design skates specifically tailored to men’s and women’s feet. If interested in purchasing cross-gender fitness skates from our store, feel free to contact us for further guidance.

Size/Fit

• Check the size guide on product pages when available.
• Select about one EU size larger than your regular shoe size, unless otherwise stated in the size guide.
• Test skates indoors for approximately 10-15 minutes. This way, you can easily return them if needed.

It's essential to have some toe movement, and your toes should not press against the skate's front. Skates too snug will cause discomfort during extended use. However, boots may stretch over time, with soft boots expanding more than hard boots.

People with narrow feet often lean towards brands like K2 for their tighter fit, while those with wider feet may prefer Rollerblade or Powerslide models.

The fit is subjective, so finding the perfect pair might require trial and error, much like normal shoes. Make good use of the given size guides as they’re quite helpful.

Closure Systems - Buckles and Laces

Closure systems in fitness inline skates typically include both buckles and laces. Some skates feature a specialized wire tightening system activated by turning a knob. Buckles are faster than laces and offer repeatable fits, whereas laces allow for varied tension across the foot.

The choice between closure systems depends on personal preference, but prioritize finding a system that provides optimal fit and control over your inline skates.

Brake

Most skates come with pre-mounted brakes. They can be transferred to the opposite skate for those who prefer braking with the other foot. As brakes eventually wear out, we recommend purchasing an extra set initially.

This ensures you always have spares and avoid possible discontinuation of models. Reputable brands generally supply brakes for their models over extended periods.

Frames

Fitness inline skate frames are frequently made of aluminum for increased rigidity and stability, offering enhanced power transfer compared to nylon/composite frames. If shaving seconds off lap times matters, aim for aluminum. However, for workouts or leisure rides, frame selection is less critical.

Skate Protection

We advocate using certified safety gear, offering equipment verified under EN 1078 standards. Much of it has also been skater-tested.

The minimum recommendation is a skate helmet, providing enhanced protection to the back of the head, complemented by wrist guards for extra safety during falls.

Beyond protection, skate gear can foster a sense of security, encouraging you to attempt new things and thus accelerate learning. Plus, in the event of a tumble, injuries are minimized with protective gear compared to skating without it.

Explore our diverse range of fitness skates

Reach out to us for more guidance if questions linger. Our customer support team is always prepared to assist! :-)