Hello! Im currently 14 and am starting lessons again for figure skating, (did lessons from age 5-7) and am hoping i can do some regional figure skating competitions, nothing big, there is a rink about 5 minutes from my house and im going to take a group lesson for ages 7-17 and i want to progress relatively quick, i love skating and i watch it frequently, do you more experienced skaters have any tips for me?
Beginning tips for a teenager
- Thread starter Blahaj
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2022
Patience and dedication. It will take a long time to reach a competitive level, and most competitors will have been training since the age you started, 5 or younger, without the break of years inbetween.
Pay attention to your coach, and practise what you're taught, in those group lessons, on your own time between lessons. Off-ice training as well, for strength and flexibility (ballet lessons are good, if possible).
And the best boots and blades your parents can afford. If you do decide to pursue this dream seriously, after you've been in the group lessons for awhile, come back here and ask about the right equipment to wear because it will make a big difference in how quickly you progress. The skate sets sold at sporting goods stores or, probably, at the pro shop at your rink, won't be good enough for serious skating.
I hope you enjoy the lessons enough to take your training seriously. The competitive stream leading to national and international competitions will be out of reach because of your late start, but there are many enjoyable local competitions where you'll meet other skaters like yourself and can collect medals! Good luck and have fun!
Ok thank you! I'm buying some new skates soon and im really excited for the lessons, im hoping on progressing through the group stuff quickly because once you finish with them there is trainings offered there to focus on single skills. My family is pretty well off and i have been saving up to, Thank you for your kind words!!!
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2024
Hi,
Training off ice is just as important as on ice training.
Do stretching every day, be flexible. There are a lot of videos out there for proper stretching techniques.
Cardio - either bike, treadmill, stair stepper, eliptical mix it up daily.
If you don't have access to this equipment, you can:
run outside, push ups, sit ups, planks, squats, lunges.
Jump rope. watch you tube videos on different techniques , then practice.
Weight training- also mix it up. Upper body one day, lower body the next day.
Box jump - start off on the first height then once you have mastered that move up to the next level.
Bosu ball is also a great balance exercise.
Join a gym if you can, Get trained on the proper use of equipment initially.
A trainer can initially help you.
Ballet classes are also great.
It sound like a lot, but if you really want to succeed, you will need to do some sort of off ice training.
Other Tip: Drink lots of water, watch what your Diet.
Good luck and Go for it.
Training off ice is just as important as on ice training.
Do stretching every day, be flexible. There are a lot of videos out there for proper stretching techniques.
Cardio - either bike, treadmill, stair stepper, eliptical mix it up daily.
If you don't have access to this equipment, you can:
run outside, push ups, sit ups, planks, squats, lunges.
Jump rope. watch you tube videos on different techniques , then practice.
Weight training- also mix it up. Upper body one day, lower body the next day.
Box jump - start off on the first height then once you have mastered that move up to the next level.
Bosu ball is also a great balance exercise.
Join a gym if you can, Get trained on the proper use of equipment initially.
A trainer can initially help you.
Ballet classes are also great.
It sound like a lot, but if you really want to succeed, you will need to do some sort of off ice training.
Other Tip: Drink lots of water, watch what your Diet.
Good luck and Go for it.
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2016
I started at 15. I had only had hockey skates until then. I was a good skater but had nothing to do with figure skating unless you count me teaching my self from what I saw on tv lol. I went from preliminary to novice in about 2 years. Now that’s not very realistic for everyone obviously but my point is with enough dedication and training you can move up to places you didn’t think you can do. I skated A LOT in those few years. 5 days a week minimum. 2-4 hours a day. Just have fun, respect your coach, really listen to the advice and practise and remember to practise techniques off ice and body position too because that will go a long way.. have fun!!
