Regular incline skating has many of the same benefits as cycling or jogging in terms of health-accelerated benefits. Weight management, cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength, flexibility, stability and mental health are just a few of the areas of health that can receive benefits from a session of aerobic inline skating exercise. Speak with your doctor to find out if inline skating is suitable for you.
Calorie Burn Profile
Inline skating is an excellent way to burn calories. According to FitWatch, in one hour of moderate inline skating, a 135-pound individual can burn approximately 772 calories, while a 160-pound individual can burn 914 calories. This number may vary according to your weight, gender, fitness level, duration and intensity of activity. But in general, staying active through activities such as inline skating can help you expend energy and manage your weight.
Cardiovascular Health
During a session of inline skating, your muscles, specifically the legs, are working hard to propel you forward. This causes the heart to pump faster in order to get necessary nutrients from the blood to the working tissues and the lungs to work harder to supply more oxygen to the body. Mayo Clinic states that regular aerobic activity can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke and lower blood pressure and cholesterol. In a statement by the Michigan Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports, inline skating is comparable to walking, running, skiing and ice hockey in terms of achieving aerobic fitness. To increase your aerobic intensity, try skating harder, swinging your arms continuously or skating uphill during your workout.
General Fitness
Inline skating engages the major muscle groups of the legs, promoting strength and endurance to the muscles. An additional feature of skating that you don’t get from running or cycling is the application of balance. Because you have to teach your muscles to balance your weight evenly on the unstable surfaces of inline skates while in motion, you naturally improve your stability, flexibility and coordination all in one exercise. An article in Washingtonian, a health and information website, adds that inline skating is also easier on the joints and knees than high-impact activities.
Mental Well-Being
Your emotional health can benefit greatly from regular inline skating. Skating can be physically challenging and exhausting, but your self-fulfillment and feeling of accomplishment after finishing a session of inline skating can boost your mood and build your confidence. In addition, Mayo Clinic explains that exercise stimulates various chemicals in the brain that can leave you feeling more relaxed and happier. Finally, inline skating gets you moving outside and interacting with nature, which can be refreshing and invigorating to the mind.
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