Stretch It Out

Roller-skating is great exercise for families in Lockport. It’s low-impact, so it doesn’t stress your joints, it’s good for your cardiovascular health, and it burns about 600 calories in just an hour. Is your New Year’s resolution to get in better shape? We have 4 skating stretches to improve your skate fitness.

4 Stretches Before You Skate

1. Calf stretches. Stand with both feet flat on the ground and place one foot in front of the other. Bend forward at the knee, keeping your back leg straight, without lifting your heel. Keep leaning forward until you feel the stretch in your calf. Switch sides and repeat.
2. Quad stretches. Stand on one leg (if you need to, use a wall for balance). Grab your elevated ankle and pull your leg toward your rear. Stretch until you feel your quadriceps pulling in the front of your thigh. Switch legs to finish out the stretch.
3. Hamstring stretches. Keeping your legs straight, bend down and touch your toes. You can also do a similar hamstring stretch sitting down. Keep one leg straight, with the other bent comfortably flat on the ground. Lean along your straightened leg, reaching for your toes.
4. Hip Stretches. Place one knee on the ground, with your other foot flat on the floor. Lean forward until you feel your hip flexors open up. To stretch your hips and your glutes, sit on the ground with one leg straight. Cross your other leg over that leg, and gently tug at the knee until you feel a stretch in your hips and glutes.

Stretching before you skate increases your performance and decreases the likelihood of injuries. Stretch it out, then come skate with us at Rainbow Skateland!