Learning to ice skate at 40.

[Anonymous]

Spur of the moment decision and ita been 2 classes so far. I seem to be progressing very very slowly. How long did you take to learn as an adult? My goal is just to be able to skate around the ice rink reasonably elegantly without breaking any bones in the process

[Anonymous]

Maybe 1 hour.

😹

[Anonymous]

What an awesome choice!!! I can’t fully answer your question because I started skating lessons at 8 and took lessons till I stopped at 13 due to an injury. I got back on the ice a few years ago when my DS started skating lessons. I will say it was nothing like riding a bike. I really had to relearn most of my skating skills.

[Anonymous]

Do it! I'm learning at 50. It's very humbling, but I want to be able to go around the rink a couple times with my kids. I took lessons as a kid but it is definitely not like riding a bike. I'm starting from scratch (and am wildly out of shape on top of it, thanks pandemic).

[Anonymous]

I learned as a kid but then had to re-learn as an adult at 25 (it's not like riding a bike, lol). It took maybe 2 sessions to get comfortable.

[Anonymous]

protect your head

[Anonymous]

Classes are so slow. Aren’t the first ones just learning how to fall and get back up? I definitely don’t think two is going to be enough for most people. That might not even be an hour I’d actual skating time (unless these are private lessons).

The trick is to just keep at it. Don’t pay attention to how long it takes others.

The first time I skated my skates were a size too big and my skates were way too loose. You’ll never learn to skate if that’s what you’re doing. You should be able to walk around easily in your skates off the ice and stand easily on the ice. I hope you’re not doing what I did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:protect your head

+ 1000

I am a very skilled skater, played hockey a number of years and still wear a helmet. I tell my kids who enjoy skating, if Ovechkin wears a helmet, so do you.

[Anonymous]

Awesome! I have been thinking about doing this as well (I can skate in circles around a rink okay but would like to learn more skills, maybe some figure skating moves). Where are you taking lessons, OP?

[Anonymous]

Love this! I did the same thing (OK - I was 45)

A few tips - as an adult you might be really cautious. We need to try and be loose on the ice. Also - try and get a practice session in between lessons. Even if it is just going once around the rink.

I wanted to be able to go to the rink with my kids and have more confidence that I was not going to hurt myself - or anyone around me. I loved the moments when I was the skating mom and being able to help a friend.

Enjoy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Classes are so slow. Aren’t the first ones just learning how to fall and get back up? I definitely don’t think two is going to be enough for most people. That might not even be an hour I’d actual skating time (unless these are private lessons).

The trick is to just keep at it. Don’t pay attention to how long it takes others.

The first time I skated my skates were a size too big and my skates were way too loose. You’ll never learn to skate if that’s what you’re doing. You should be able to walk around easily in your skates off the ice and stand easily on the ice. I hope you’re not doing what I did.

Thank you. I meant to ask will I be there in like the next 3 or 4 months? The skates were too big for my first lesson. I learnt that it helps to size down.

[Anonymous]

As you get older, you learn slower, especially physical activities that require you to change the way your muscle memory works. So, learning to move on skates is different and your body is used to how to move from how you walk or run normally. I learned both roller skating and ice skating as a child and then did not do it again for about 30 years until I had kids. I found that the skills returned relatively fast, but even just relearning skills, I went slower than my kids did learning fresh as elementary aged children. But it does require learning to move differently. If are athletic and you have learned/adjusted for other athletics, you'll learn faster than those of us who don't do much physical activity beyond walking and running.

Kudos for getting out there and learning new skills and give yourself a break. Take pride in learning and progressing however long it takes.

[Anonymous]

Good luck OP! You make me want to go try something new, too!

[Anonymous]

Is it a group or individual class? The reason that I ask is, I am unathletic and overweight, but my 13 year old son's friend (who is a good skater) was able to teach me how to skate around the rink without holding on or falling in around 30 minutes. I think you need individualized attention to show you exactly what you are doing wrong/need to improve.

[Anonymous]

Is it a group or individual class? The reason that I ask is, I am unathletic and overweight, but my 13 year old son's friend (who is a good skater) was able to teach me how to skate around the rink without holding on or falling in around 30 minutes. I think you need individualized attention to show you exactly what you are doing wrong/need to improve.

To add, I am 47. If I can do it, so can you!