Inline Speed Skating

Understanding Inline Speed Skating

Inline speed skating, often referred to as roller speed skating, focuses on achieving the highest speeds while skating. This sport is largely competitive, with skaters racing individually or in teams to attain the quickest times possible.

Race skating can occur both indoors and outdoors, and it features prominently in many major sporting events worldwide. To excel at inline speed skating, practice is essential. It might be beneficial to become proficient in other forms of skating as a precursor. Race skaters use boots equipped with either three or four wheels. Moreover, inline speed skating is distinct from speed skating, which is conducted on ice.

What Speeds Can You Achieve on Speed Skates?

Professional inline skaters regularly attain speeds exceeding 40 mph (64.37 kph), and there have been occasions where skaters have surpassed 70 mph while descending.

To reach the highest speeds, an inline speed skater's technique differs slightly from other skating styles. With larger wheels in use, more stride strength is necessary. Skaters must twist and move their hips to optimize force and power transfer during skating. Additionally, deeper and broader strokes are needed to generate adequate power. It is generally considered more challenging to make turns on speed skates. Collectively, this technique makes inline speed skating an excellent full-body cardio workout.

Beginning Your Speed Skating Journey

Being comfortable and confident with regular inline skating is advisable before delving into speed skating. While you can attain satisfactory speeds with recreational and freeskates, a pair of Speed Skates is necessary to achieve the fastest speeds. Indoor speed skating typically occurs on a plastic-coated wooden surface, whereas outdoor sessions can take place on regular pavement or roads.

Though it is possible to speed skate solo, joining a local club could help refine your technique and discover optimal practice locations.