How to Get Back into Figure Skating

As children, we’re interested in a variety of activities, and it can be hard to choose just one to focus on. Figure skating isn’t an easy sport to master—it requires quite the investment of time, money, and effort. Children who aren’t as dedicated or who don’t immediately fall in love with the sport may find other activities to focus on. 

But what happens when you become an adult and wish you hadn’t given up figure skating? Is it too late to get back into it? The short answer—no! It’s never too late to get back into a sport you love, whether it’s to compete at a lower level, bond with your children as they learn to skate, or use it as a form of staying fit in your adult years. Here is your guide on how to get back into figure skating as an adult.

Getting Back Into Figure Skating

It’s not easy trying to recollect all of the skills you might have learned as a child and execute them out on the ice, but there are ways that you can get ready to fall back into the sport with ease. With a few tips and tricks, you’ll be confident out on the ice and mastering old—and new—skills in no time. 

Prepare Yourself

Before you jump back into a fairly complex sport, it’s important to adequately prepare and educate yourself. As children, our parents likely did this for us—researching rinks, coaches, and equipment. As adults, this is one of the most critical steps for a successful introduction back into figure skating. Take the time to research ice skating rinks in your area. Which is the most practical in terms of distance or cost? Will you have adequate space to practice, or are there specific times when the rink is less busy?

Deciding whether or not to take group lessons, private lessons, or just heading to the rink for free skate is another important factor. In a group lesson, you’ll be tethered to the group’s ability to master skills and move on, but with private lessons, you’ll be able to learn at your own pace. This can be a major benefit if you quickly recall the skills you had previously learned as a child and want to move on to some more difficult skills at a faster rate. 

Having a good support system behind you can make or break your ability to jump back into figure skating. Many figure skaters start at a young age, and coming back as an adult can be terrifying to some. It’s important to have people in your inner circle who support your decision to reenter the figure skating world. It’s equally as important to have a positive mindset heading into your first few lessons. Focus on learning, rather than comparing yourself to advanced skaters you might see training. This will help you stay focused on your own specific goals, whether they involve skating backwards or nailing an illusion spin.

Properly Equip Yourself 

Over the years, you’ve probably seen or read about some new advances in figure skating boots or blade design and wondered whether or not your old skates will cut it when getting back on the ice. While figure skates aren’t the only equipment you’ll need, they are by far the most important and can have a major impact on your level of success. Most ice rinks will have figure skates for rent, which might be sufficient when you’re just regaining your basics. However, as you progress, it’s important to know when it’s time to invest in a pair of high-quality figure skates. 

Having the right figure skates can be a turning point in your figure skating career. Custom-fitted skates can reduce blisters, prevent injuries, and improve your overall performance. You don’t want to get out on the ice just to feel like giving up because of low-quality figure skates! 

But figure skates aren’t the only equipment you’ll want to invest in. Because this sport takes place on the ice, you’ll want warm, sweat-wicking layers to wear while you train. Investing in a good quality pair of leggings and long sleeve athletic top, paired with gloves and ear warmers, is an excellent idea. This will keep you warm out on the ice, helping to prevent muscle injuries. You may also want to purchase extra laces, ice skate guards, and other tools or accessories to protect and maintain your gear.

Prepare for Your Return with Skates from Riedell

Coming back to a sport you haven’t trained for in many years can be daunting—and having the proper equipment is critical to your success. For over 70 years, Riedell has been designing and building high-quality figure skating products. With customized figure skates to fit your unique needs, you’ll be comfortable and stylish on the ice as you make your return debut! Head to one of our authorized dealers or contact us today to get started on your dream of reentering the sport of figure skating.