Skating is an exercise that can help you to stay fit while having a lot of fun. Skating helps keep your legs taut, and their springiness gives you vibrant energy, while lungs and hearts are pumping. It is at the same time an exercise that involves speed and balance, and if you lose balance can lead to accidents and injuries. This makes it necessary to use and wear the right safety gear while you are skating, whether you are doing inline and roller skating or using a skateboard.
A helmet is the most important part of skating safety gear and must be one that fits snugly on your head and is strapped and buckled properly so that it is not able to move. Some helmets are specifically designed for skating and come down lower on the head so that your skull has protection even when you fall backward. The brand of helmet you buy must be able to withstand many impacts without getting damaged. Never use a damaged helmet, and replace it immediately.
Other safety gears that must be on the top of your skating safety gear shopping list are the knee, wrist and elbow guards. When you fall in an accident it is an automatic reflex for the hands to be put out to cushion the fall, and here is where wrists can take a lot of strain, that is protected by wrist guards. Your elbow and knee guards then go into action to prevent elbows and knees getting scraped and scratched. It is also important that you wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants as they can give you additional protection against cuts and abrasions after you fall. You can also do well to wear goggles or some protective eye gear, as when you are speeding, the high wind can cause your eyes to stream and water and impair your vision.
As part of proper safety during skating, make sure that your skates have wheels, toe stops and other smaller components are completely functional. Brakes must be able to control your speed. Skates will have a number of bolts and screws and it can do no harm to see that before you start skating, that all of them are tight and have not worked loose. Skates must be the best quality, and most of these will come with the right tools and spanners that can help you to do this, along with a list of the important ones that must be checked regularly. The bindings of the skates must be such that they offer your ankle the right amount of support, besides remaining firmly fixed to your feet. Inline skates must always be in the best condition if you want to exercise safely. Wheels can get worn out, while bearings can lose their efficiency. Replace them, taking care to see that you get the right spares that are meant for the brand of skates that you have. Brake pads, if worn out, must be replaced.
Safety gear is not the only thing that will protect you when you are skating. You are better protected if you are in good physical condition to be able to withstand the rigors of skating. Skating causes a lot of strain on leg and thigh muscles and you would do well to follow an exercise routine of squats and lunges that can help you to develop hip muscles and your hamstrings. Leg curls give your thighs and legs the flexibility and endurance that skating demands. Do some stretching exercises before you go skating as it can help prevent muscle injuries.
Know your limit and do not try any stunts unless you are thoroughly prepared and in top physical condition.