The 90s Are Back, So Grab Your Rollerblades for a Killer Workout
By: Sophie Radvan
Tags: Sports, Health, Fitness, Covid 19, Life

Leopard-print? Crop tops? Bootleg jeans? With the way things have shaken out in 2020, I’m more than happy to substitute this year for the 90s. We’re experiencing a bit of a 90s comeback in fashion, beauty, and yes, even fitness trends.

The 90s brought us workouts like step aerobics, spinning, and The Thighmaster machine. While incredibly popular, I can think of one underdog exercise that tones muscles, boosts cardiovascular health, and torches calories.

It’s rollerblading. Duh.

Fitness, simplified.

When did our workout regimens become so co-dependent on gyms and fitness studios? Here in Minnesota, we’re back to a slightly less restrictive version of the March lockdowns that closed gyms, bars, and restaurants.

I refused to let the governor's mandates get in the way of my fitness and health goals, so I tapped into my childhood for a solution.

Rollerblading. The way I see it, I have to get outside to walk the dog anyway, so I might as well throw on my blades and treat myself (and my pup) to a higher intensity activity. It feels good being a good dog mom.

Health experts across the board agree that exercise is crucial in this pandemic. The way you choose to partake, however, is up to you.

You could either work out in a cramped apartment after you move the couch, roll up the carpet, scoot the coffee table, and pick up the kids’ toys just to find a place to lay down your yoga mat.

Or, you could simply step outside with a pair of rollerblades. No additional equipment required. I bought my pair on Black Friday for $90. In comparison, I used to spend $99 a month on my indoor spinning membership pre-COVID.

A full-body workout

I said it and I meant it: rollerblading is a full-body workout with a stronger focus on your lower body (ie: legs, thighs, and booty).

“But can’t I just run instead?”

While both cardio-heavy exercises, rollerblading actually provides a “tougher” workout for your lower body because of the way you propel yourself forward and push your legs out to the side rather than front-to-back.

Comfortable rollerbladers glide from left to right, shifting their weight with each rep. Runners, on the other hand, keep their bodies in a straight line.

This side-to-side action of rollerblading kicks your glutes and thighs into overdrive largely due to the fact that this is an uncommon movement in fitness.

In other words, your body’s like, “What the fuck are we doing? This doesn’t feel right.” It exercises muscles that normally get overlooked by spinning, cycling, and jogging.

Next, let’s talk about your abs. Your mid-section plays a key role in balancing on rollerblades as you shift your balance.

To gain speed, shift your balance forward

To stop or slow down using the heel breaker, shift it backward

To get a steady stride going, shift it left to right

All that circular motion requires a strong core to stay balanced and centered. Otherwise, you may lean too far forward or backward and fall.

Moving onto your arms and upper back. The same way you use your arms to balance and maintain momentum while running, apply that logic to rollerblading.

Full transparency: rollerblading won’t add much muscle to your arms but it will keep them lean and long. For more of a strength training workout, put on some wrist weights (like ankle weights) before your skate. I like the Bala ones.

Need more convincing?

Fitness aside, rollerblading is a great way to enjoy the outdoors even in cold weather. I live in Minnesota, okay? Bundle up with warm leggings, multiple top layers, thick socks, gloves, and a beanie.

Ten minutes into your skate, you won’t notice the cold anymore. Your body’s warmed up from all that cardio. No matter how cold, I always work up a sweat and elevate my heart rate to the point of panting.

To all the 90s babies out there, rollerblading reminds me of simpler times without social media, high-speed internet, or this fucking pandemic. It reminds me of my childhood when my biggest concern was an early bedtime.

Basically, rollerblading makes 2020 suck less. I suggest you try it.