According to the Inline Skating Resource Center, inline skating is as beneficial as running or cycling, but causes 50 percent less stress on the joints than running. The right gear for your fitness goals and skill level -- whether fitness skates and regular skates -- can allow for greater fitness gains, safer execution of exercise and more comfortable maneuvering.
Goals
Women's inline fitness skates may be the type of skate for you if your goals are to train for races or go at high speeds for long distances. Regular inline skates are geared toward recreational use in parks, on trails or for fun across town. These are the type of skates commonly found in the sporting goods section at large retail stores. Sporting goods and specialty stores are more likely to carry a wider variety of skates, including fitness skates.
Wheels
Regular inline skates have four wheels lined in a row, and they are often larger than the wheels on other types of skates. Fitness skates may have four or five wheels. Five wheels are common if the skates are intended for speed skating, to increase speed stability and decrease rolling resistance. Fitness skates that are geared toward cross-training as opposed to speed training may have four wheels that are slightly larger, very much like the wheels on recreational skates.
Boot Design
While all fitness skates have a lower profile boot and require greater recruitment of the ankle muscles, speed fitness skates have a longer frame. Cross-training fitness skates have a boot design similar to that of recreational skates, despite the boot height and outer shell. Regular skates tend to have a softer fabric outer shell boot, but many still have a hard shell like a snow ski boot.
Pros and Cons
Due to the low profile boot, you'll need to have strong ankles if you plan to use fitness skates. The longer base of these skates also makes them harder to turn than regular skates. Because they often have no brakes, control is an essential skill to master before trying fitness skates. Regular skates are an ideal beginner's choice, but they may not be the best choice if you plan to race or go fast for long distances.
Examples
Rollerblade Speedmachine RX 100 W is a women's fitness skate with four wheels, an ankle cuff buckle and a higher boot than many speed skates, but it has a long frame for speed. Belotti speedskates have a five-wheel, low-profile design that requires more advanced skill levels. K2 Athena women's inline skates are recreational skates that are excellent for beginners. If you are looking for a cross between a recreational skate and a fitness skate, Salomon TR Mg Elite 2 is a viable choice, as it aims to combine the best of both worlds.
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