New Adult Skater: Advice on increasing flexibility?

[Dreaswi]

Also instead of yoga I do Pilates. It's is similar to yoga but is concentrated on muscle work than yoga's philosophy of mind, body, and spirit. Yoga puts me to sleep (literally). I had to be woken up from our 10 minute meditation at the end of class. I could hardly drive home. After Pilates I feel like I had a good workout. A big plus to yoga/Pilates is the core strengthening. That is really needed for balance. Balance happens to be my weakest area. My coach never understands how I can master elements but look like Bambi when I am just doing laps.

[tietzd83]

Thank you... I believe our local YMCA offers both. When I go to swim tomorrow morning I will check their fall schedule.

[treesprite]

On dips keep your back straight, but not necessarily perpendicular to the floor. You have to lean forward. Try leg lifts while lying on your side. That will work the inner and outer thighs.

I think that's the best one to start out. Once you start really trying to do forward stroking, you are going to want strength there, otherwise your hips might start to ache.

Another might be doing deep knee bends with your back straight and your arms extended at your sides like they would be while skating (not forward). That will get you used to using your knees and bending at the knees instead of the waist, using the arms for balance. Make sure to keep your head up straight looking forward.

The progression from the above is to do forward stroking in place, but exaggerating the knee bends.

I was away from skating for a long time and came back at 49, finding all of the above to be very useful for my aging out of shape body.

Good luck with the skating - it's a challenge, but is great exercise and can be very rewarding as you feel more at ease and start to feel like you are flying rather than on the ground.

[tietzd83]

How I wish I would have started as a youth!! Still, I remember watching our local ice show this spring, wishing I would've have learned and thinking I was too far over the hill to learn now. I can't tell you how excited I was to find that there is a place for adult skaters. Unfortunately, it seems I will paying paying more money to learn with the lack of adult skating classes here at home. Having to hire a personal coach and buy ice sure adds up. Still, I am having a great time and look forward to the three days each week I can get out to practice! I feel lucky! I'm also lucky to have found this forum!!

[Dreaswi]

I can totally understand the high expense of skating. Between ice time and coaching fees I spend approx 860 a month. 300 for ice and 560 for 2hrs a week on lessons. Then it goes up if I add adult curry at 20 a week or throw in an extra hour lesson somewhere.

[treesprite]

If I had to spend that much to skate, I wouldn't be able to do it. I just go and enjoy myself.

[Dreaswi]

I skate as hard and train as much as our elite teens. Usually 3 hours a day 5 days a week plus my gym hours with Pilates. Skating does not come easy to me and takes me weeks to learn something others master in days. If I want results that is what I need to do. I am driven by the love of the sport and how happy I am on the ice. My husband and I sacrifice a lot for me to skate but he says he can't put a price on my health and happiness.

[treesprite]

Does he have a brother my age? Just kidding, but really.... you are very lucky.

[tietzd83]

Took my first Pilates class tonight. Wow, it was really quite a work out!! I can see how this will help develop increased muscle strength and flexibility.. walked out feeling like a wet noodle that got stomped on!!! (: I can't wait until next week!