Whether it’s the summer of winter, ice skating is a fantastic year-round activity that can keep your health and fitness in check. If you like the idea of heading into the rink and gliding on the ice, you might be pleased to hear that this sport can build endurance, reduce stress levels, and keep your mind focused. If you’re looking for a new sport to try out, here are five of the main health benefits you can gain from ice skating.
Improved Balance
From the minute you start ice skating, you will notice an improvement in your balance. While the prospect of traveling across a slippery surface may fill you with dread and anxiety, you will soon pick up confidence and learn to stay on your feet. Improved body balance makes it far easier to move around and can prevent injuries. To help you stay balanced as you skate, make sure that you bend your knees and watch others for inspiration and tips. This guide on how to ice skate can teach you the ins and outs of the sport before getting started.
Increases Joint Flexibility
If you wake up from bed each morning and find that your leg joints creak, a solution to this problem could be ice skating. Known for its strong knees and quick foot movements, you will notice a huge increase in your leg joints after a workout on the ice. Ice skating helps to improve flexibility and reduce joint pain.
Weight Management
Keeping on top of your weight can be easier said than done. With so many temptations around us, you may be prone to gorging on processed food. If you want to shift a few pounds and get in control of your weight, ice skating is a fantastic way to burn calories. In just one hour of ice skating, you can burn between 300-650 calories, all while having fun at the same time. The amount of calories you will burn will depend on your skating ability and current weight and fitness levels.
Stress Relief
Stress is inevitable in day to day life. Whether you’re having problems at work, with your partner, or with family members, regular exercise like ice skating can reduce stress levels and help you feel calmer and more relaxed once you get off the rink. As ice skating is known as a fun way to exercise, you will feel the positive effects from the offset. If you ice skate outdoors, there is tons of scenery to feast your eyes upon.
Boosts Mental Wellbeing
While there are numerous physical benefits to be gained from ice skating, your mental wellbeing will improve too. It’s just as important to look after what’s on the inside, so ice skating with your loved ones and being outdoors in the sunshine and fresh air can improve your confidence and be a great chance to relax and unwind.
The control, strength and stability involved in ice skating, either for fun or competition, are key aspects of the sport that make it a fun and healthy activity for all abilities and ages. Whether you’ve never been on an ice rink before, or you like to consider yourself a seasoned pro, there are tons of health benefits associated with ice skating.
