Get In Shape This Year With These Off-Ice Figure Skating Workouts

Are you ready to start off the new year by getting in better shape and honing your figure skating skills? Then you’re in the right place! Finding the right time and exercises to do off the ice can be challenging, but there are a variety of workouts you can do in the gym, at home, and even outside. We’ll cover a series of exercises designed to help figure skaters stay fit, build strength, and enhance their skating prowess– all without the need for a rink. From core-strengthening routines to flexibility drills and balance exercises, we’ve got you covered. 

Is Figure Skating A Good Workout?

Figure skating isn’t just about the graceful performance skaters put on, it’s also a fantastic workout that offers a ton of physical and mental benefits. Whether you’re just starting out or someone who’s been skating for many years, understanding the benefits of a figure skating workout will help you see the importance of continuing your workouts off the ice. Let’s talk about some of the benefits of figure skating as a form of exercise:

• Joint and Muscle Health: Figure skating often involves precision and the engagement of various muscle groups. This helps strengthen and tone your legs, core, and upper body.
• Balance and Coordination: Practicing the intricate footwork, jumps, and spins provides skaters with a better equilibrium, which keeps you upright and easily translates into helping you manage everyday tasks.
• Cardiovascular Health: Like many workouts, figure skating gets your blood pumping and your heartrate up, which helps improve cardiovascular health.
• Stress Management: It’s been proven time and time again that exercise reduces stress. Figure skating will help you feel less stressed by increasing the release of endorphins, the “feel good” hormones, and reducing your stress hormones. 

These benefits aren’t exclusive to figure skating, which is why it’s helpful to continue with your workout routine off the ice. 

Figure Skating Exercises Off Ice

Whether you’re looking to pump up your summer training or simply want a way to continue reaping the benefits of your figure skating workout off the ice, there are plenty of ways to get that exercise in. The important thing is to find a routine that you’re comfortable with and stick with it.

At Home Ice Skater Exercise Routine

Perhaps you’d prefer to workout in the comfort of your own home, or you live in an area where you don’t feel comfortable exercising outside. In that case, you’ll want to check out these tips for an at-home ice skater exercise routine:

• Balance Board: Balance boards are a phenomenal way to continue building and maintaining your balance and coordination. Stand on the board and bring one leg up until your knee is bent at an angle. Then, extend that leg behind you while balancing on the other leg. Do this with both legs and you’ll build your balance, coordination, and muscle strength!
• Plyometric Jumping: Perform plyometric exercises like squat jumps, tuck jumps, and split jumps to improve your explosive power, which is crucial for figure skaters during jumps and lifts.
• Flexibility Training: There are a variety of ways to do flexibility training at home. Focus on exercises like skater yoga, Pilates, lunges, seat stretches, etc. 

Off Ice Exercises Outside

Getting fresh air is just as important as sticking to a workout routine. Just spending time in nature helps reduce stress and improve mental wellbeing. If you live in an area where it’s feasible, try some of these outdoors exercises: 

• Running or Jogging: Running and jogging are classic exercises that can be performed outdoors regardless of whether you live in a city or rural area. It’s an excellent way to improve your cardiovascular health and build stamina.
• Inline Skating: Inline skating closely mimics the gliding motion of figure skating, so it’s an excellent way to work on your balance and leg strength. 
• Hill Sprints: Find an area with a decent incline and do hill sprints. It’s an intense workout that will build leg strength, power, and stamina.

Gym Exercises for Ice Skaters

Sometimes it’s nice to workout in an environment that’s dedicated to health and fitness. If you have a gym membership and enjoy being able to use exercise equipment, then this is an excellent option for you.

• Strength Training: It takes a lot of strength to perform the intricate footwork, jumps, and spins required of figure skaters. Spend some time focusing on strength training equipment such as using free weights, resistance bands, or a cable machine.
• Core Workouts: There is no shortage of core workouts that can be performed in the gym! Test yourself with pull-ups, medicine ball slams, or simple crunches.
• Cardiovascular Conditioning: Try running on the treadmill, using a stationary bike, or getting on the elliptical machine for a solid cardiovascular workout.

Get Fit With Riedell

Whether you’re looking for awesome figure skating workout tips like these or you need the best equipment to keep you at your best while you’re on the ice, you’ll find what you’re looking for with Riedell. Keep checking back for more figure skating tips!