Inline skating is a great way to exercise that allows you to improve your overall cardiovascular health without having to place extreme pressure on your joints. This can help reduce the overall number of injuries from the sport, if it is done correctly. If you are one of, or are looking to become one of, the 17 million inline skaters in the United States, here are some of the best ways to help prevent injuries when inline skating.

1) Learn To Stop

One of the most common ways that people get injured when inline skating is from falling. Falls often occur because beginners are not taught how to properly skate and how to stop. Therefore, if you want to prevent and minimize your risk of falls and injury, it is critical that you learn how to skate and how to stop safely. The best way to learn how to stop is to practice. You may want to go to a skating rink and skate on flat surfaces with handrails. This can help you find your balance and control in a controlled environment. Try to go during less crowded hours so that you are not distracted by other skaters.

2) Wear Safety Equipment

While head injuries only make up about five percent of all injuries from inline skating, they are one of the worst ways to get injured. If you plan on inline skating, it is important to wear proper safety equipment. This includes a properly fitting helmet, knee pads, wrist guards and elbow pads. While not everyone will wear these safety items, it is highly recommended to prevent injury. Recent statistics have shown that those who wear wrist guards can reduce their chance of injury by up to 87 percent. This is a huge difference and is a great way to help you stay safe. This safety gear will help prevent the number one injury when inline skating, which is musculoskeletal injuries.

3) Skate In A Controlled Environment

Inline skating has become more and more popular in the recent years. With the increase in popularity, comes an increase in the number of places where people will try to skate. If you are new to the sport or do not have the best balance, it is important to skate in a controlled environment. Those who decide to skate on hills, uneven terrain, in traffic, or on obstacle courses increase their risk for falls and injury. You should avoid these surfaces so that you can feel more secure about your new form of exercise.

4) Skate Where and How You Are Comfortable

Another great way to prevent injury while inline skating is by skating only when, where and how you feel comfortable. For example, if you have friends or family members who are asking you to go skating with them around a hilly neighborhood and you do not feel comfortable doing so, you should politely decline the offer. Skate only in the environments and at the speed you feel comfortable doing so. There is no reason to push yourself to go faster or go on extreme skating adventures. This will only increase your risk of injury.

5) Choose The Right Skate

There are many different skates on the market today and it is crucial that you find the skate that makes you feel the most steady and the most comfortable. Some of the most popular skates include five wheels, four wheels and three wheels. Four and three wheeled skates are ideal for beginners because they provide the most support and balance. Five wheeled skates are best for experts because the overall design of these skates are to help achieve higher speeds and better performance. Before purchasing a new pair of skates you should carefully read the directions and instructions to determine if they are right for you. Before skating in your new skates you should try to use them around the home for a few minutes to determine if you are able to balance on them. Some skates may be harder than others to balance on so you should always make sure they are snug and feel good before you try to skate with them.

6) Take Lessons

Another great way to help reduce your risk of injury is to take lessons from a professional before you try inline skating on your own. Like all sports, it is best to learn from an expert. A professional or expert skater can help those of all experience levels. They can teach you the basics, from standing to choosing the right skate to stopping correctly and more. They will be able to help boost your confidence level and give you the encouragement you need to improve. They will be able to answer all of your questions and give you a hand while skating to make you feel more secure.

7) Skate In Well Lit Areas

When skating it is best to always skate in well lit up areas. You should avoid skating in the dark or at night because it can increase the risk of injury and falls. Skating at night decreases your overall ability to see uneven surfaces that you can hit with your skates and fall. In addition, other people may not see you skating and could hit you. If you have no choice but to skate at night, it is crucial that you wear light clothing and reflective gear to help ensure that you will be seen by others around you.

8) Find A Partner

Skating alone can increase your risk of injury so you should always find a partner to skate with. They can get help if something happens and can stop injuries from getting much worse if they do occur.

Inline skating is a very fun and great way to exercise and lose weight. It provides many benefits for your overall mental and physical health. While it has many benefits, it also comes with the risk of injury. These tips can help prevent and minimize your risk of injury and help ensure that you have more fun.