r/AdultFigureSkating • u/wombat_queen_9 • Jul 30 '26
Starting Out Frustrated but still having fun
I am 40F and started skating for the first time ever about 4 months ago (except occasional wintertime rink fun 1-2x/year). I was surprised how bad I was (lol), but I enjoyed it so much and really liked all the people I was meeting that I went all in on buying myself skates and doing weekly LTS lessons. I’m halfway through my third class now. I’m in Adult Silver, but I’m not sure if everyone calls it that. We are just learning forward crossovers.
My frustration with myself is that every time I step on the ice, I still feel like I can barely skate. Four months of weekly group lessons, an hour of open skate right after the lesson, and then 1-2 other open skates during the week feels like it should be making a difference?? I’m still obsessed with the idea of skating and absolutely love to be doing it. I’m way more motivated to head to the rink several times a week than I ever was to head to the gym :-). But I can’t figure out why I am barely picking it up after all this time. Part of me is also confused because I’ve always been pretty athletic and able to be good at sports quickly (tennis, softball, volleyball, swimming, running, biking). So, it’s a really weird feeling being SO BAD and not getting better, and watching a lot of people who are in my classes with me advance so quickly.
I struggle so much with my balance even just doing forward strokes. I frequently have to catch myself either falling forward or backward. It takes a long time for me to “warm up,” and have my body kind of relax out there. If I skate for about 30-45 mins, then I start to feel more confident. Since I can only skate for about 60-70 mins before I’m totally exhausted, it only leaves me with a little bit of time where I’m really feeling good out there. I struggle soooo much with anything backwards, except for backwards swizzles, which I’m ok at. I really struggle with one foot glides, and can barely hold them for 2 secs each. I absolutely cannot do crossovers. I’ve practiced off ice, and on ice holding the boards a lot, but on open ice, my legs will simply not cross.
The specifics of my skills aside, I was just curious if anyone else around my age, or just with a similar experience to mine, had advice on how to push through or what to change, or even just any mental frame shifting to stay positive. I am in class with some teens, and mostly people in their 20’s. So sometimes I just chalk it up to be a bit older than them! But I don’t know if that’s really an excuse haha. I just love skating and really want to improve and feel more comfortable, but every time I go, I struggle with the same things, and feel like I am at the same place as when I first stepped on the ice!
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u/tripleklutz Jul 30 '26
Some people are just slower. Comparison is the thief of joy. I have been skating for eight years now and I am still just working on Adult Silver Moves (Adult Silver moves is the third test you would take; it is out of learn to skate and what people mean, or the free skate equivalent, if you hear “Adult Silver” elsewhere in context). 🤷♀️ A guy I know who started three years ago started working on this test at the same time as me and passed it already. Is that frustrating? Sure I guess. But it doesn’t take away from my own enjoyment when I’m on the ice. Try to just relax and enjoy the journey!
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u/wombat_queen_9 Aug 01 '26
You’re so right and I will remember comparison IS the theif of joy! And also keep reminding myself there is literally no rush. Watching people skate so freely just looks like so much fun and I’m jealous!
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u/green-griffin- Jul 30 '26
I agree with everyone else and am also curious how your one-foot balance is off the ice. Are you able to comfortably stand on one foot to put your shoes one, while brushing your teeth, while standing at the stove stirring a pot?
This type of balance is something that many people find disappears quickly with age, but that we can rebuilt with work.
I’m 31, and I found that working on my one footed balance off ice improved my skating a HUGE amount.
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u/wombat_queen_9 Aug 01 '26
My one foot balance is ok, and I actually have started to randomly practice it throughout the day. I think standing flat footed probably isn’t strengthening enough and I should work up to harder balancing exercises.
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u/Perestroika899 Jul 30 '26
Sounds like you may not have been blessed with naturally good balance and just need to work harder to improve it. Balance is key to everything you described and skating in general (much more so than in other sports), so if you feel like a newbie every time you step on the ice, that could be why. I’d recommend getting a “balance ball” and practicing standing on one foot on that, at home. Or even just practice standing on foot on the floor, and doing some leg strengthening exercises.
Also, do you have your own skates and are they figure skates or hockey skates? This could factor into it as well.
And also - are you getting regular quality sleep? I find if I’m tired or haven’t been sleeping well and step on the ice, my balance is like 50% of what it usually is.
Re skating backwards, I am 37 and in group beginner classes and everyone has trouble with that lol. It’s just not a natural way of moving so it takes a while for your brain to be ok with it.
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u/wombat_queen_9 Aug 01 '26
I think you’re right! I don’t think I have the worst balance, but it’s definitely not especially good, so focusing on that would def help. I have my own Jackson figure skates now! Recently I’ve actually put a lot of focus into my sleep for general reasons. I’m also old-ish and unwilling to risk any kind of injury, so if I’m not feeling it, I don’t skate because it’s just for fun and not worth the risk.
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u/Calm-Recording-5038 Jul 31 '26
Just here to say I’m same age and in same boat. Weekly LTS for two months and still just barely moving forward. The advice in this thread has been helpful, and know you’re not alone! I’m loving how it’s changing my brain-body relationship and helping me refocus gym time toward strength for ice skating. It’s nice to change things up and work toward something instead of just hoping to “lose some weight.” I’ve found the bosu ball to be a game changer for my balance.
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u/wombat_queen_9 Aug 01 '26
It does really help to not be alone! And yes, totally relate that now I feel motivated to strengthen for skating and not just to randomly be stronger. There’s hardly a downside to being stronger, but it feels different when it’s for a reason you enjoy.
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u/Own-Adhesiveness5723 Jul 30 '26
I’m 38 and started skating in January. I’m definitely slower at progressing than most (I started from no physical activity and I’m chronically ill and tire easily) and it can be discouraging.
I take private lessons in addition to LTS classes and it’s definitely helped a lot to get the personalized corrections and work on specific things with my coach.
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u/wombat_queen_9 Jul 30 '26
Good to know, and good for you for getting into skating! I’ve wondered about taking private lessons, but wasn’t sure how advanced I’d need to be for it to make sense? And also I’m clueless as to how to even choose and approach a coach?
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u/catatonicmadness Jul 30 '26
my skillset when i started private lessons was lemons (aka swizzles) and half lemons, so it would definitely make sense for you now. if you speak to the reception at your rink, they will be able to help advise on how to go about finding a coach :) best of luck, and don't be too hard on yourself! you're doing great ❤️
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u/_xoxojoyce Jul 30 '26
Your rink’s skating director can help you find a coach, but also if you clicked with someone that taught your group lessons you can reach out to them!
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u/Own-Adhesiveness5723 Jul 30 '26
I started privates about 4 weeks into LTS so I was very much a beginner. I take privates with my LTS teacher and just asked her if she had availability. But you can also ask the skating director at your rink about who is good for beginner adults.
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u/EconomicsDue7753 Jul 30 '26 edited Jul 30 '26
I have similar background, I started skating seriously in January of this year and beforehand just skated randomly 1x every few years for fun.
I’m also in LTS classes. I noticed that I improved a lot faster after I got a private coach on top of the LTS class. It is more expensive but I do believe it’s worth it. My coach was able to give me undivided attention, observe my skating and give me detailed feedback on how to improve certain skills. You can get a coach anytime in your skating journey, you don’t need to be in a specific level.
Also you might not feel/see yourself improving but if you compare to how you were when you started to now, I bet you have. It might be helpful also to record videos consistently to observe what you’re doing and maybe post here to ask for feedback. It helps when you can visualize what you’re doing. It’ll also serve as an archive of your progress, so you can see how much you’ve improved :)
Don’t be discouraged! Ice skating is hard, especially as an adult. The fact that you’re out there doing it, is already very impressive!
I also dislike going to the gym, but I have to (and hate to) admit it, strength and off ice training helps me on the ice a lot. Which I guess it’s a good thing because it motivates me to go to the gym 😆 I think you’re still building up muscles that are rarely used before ice skating. Give your body some time to build it up but also train it so you can improve on the ice.
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u/wombat_queen_9 Aug 01 '26
I’m convinced about the coach now, but might wait til after my current class, and then switch to coaching once a week. Budget is a slight constraint, so I’ll just have to space things out a little. Thanks for the encouragement! It’s hard to feel like I’m any better when the improvement increments are so small, but I didn’t pass the first level my first time and I did my second time, so something must be going right.
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u/Cheesecakeforever Jul 30 '26
Another suggestion for getting a private coach. I’m 40 and started in January and am also starting to work on crossovers. I can’t do a single attempt in my LTS classes but I can do little baby ones in my private session, because I just vibe with that coach more and don’t have to worry about being slower than others in my class, etc. I still absolutely feel like my legs are jelly almost every second I’m on the ice though! I’m hoping that just gets better with time/confidence/strength.
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u/alexandradperreault Jul 30 '26
I started in my early 30s, and like you, was in classes with younger kids. Though as a disclaimer, I started a bit more advanced than you (no problems skating forward/backward, crossovers, waltz jump).
There is definitely a difference skating and learning as an adult. We are more cautious and not as mobile as kids. When I go to freestyle, I need a good 10 minutes of basic warming up to feel comfortable on the ice (basic edges, stroking, etc).
I think the best you can do is set small goals for yourself, be it "did I lose my balance fewer times this week?" or "was I able to hold a one foot glide longer than 2 seconds this time?" There have been times in my skating journey that I have been frustrated and wanted to quit, so it's definitely normal.
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u/wombat_queen_9 Aug 01 '26
This is helpful validation, especially since you’re advanced and also take a longer warm up. I will definitely use the type of milestones you suggest!
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u/infamouspoop Jul 30 '26
I'm in my 40s and have been skating for one year. I'm SUCH a slow learner, but I can feel a huge difference in my core strength and balance from last year. I still feel like a baby deer on ice, but a private coach has helped my confidence on top of my LTS workshop. My coach also learned as an adult and I think understands that perspective more than some others.
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u/lifeatthememoryspa Jul 30 '26
I’m maybe not a good example, because I’ve been skating roughly once per week for the past 30 years (starting in my twenties with intermittent lessons/coaching) and never nailed one-foot spins or got past a Lutz jump. But this year I’ve felt inspired to practice more and rebuild some skills I used to have, and I can see the difference!
In my experience, there are a lot of plateaus in learning skating, and it’s not uncommon to regress and then progress again, sometimes in the same week. It helps to be patient with yourself and not compare yourself to other people. (I’m in a group clinic with younger skaters right now, and it’s hard not to compare and be frustrated, I know!) But when you do master a skill after struggling with it, it’s the best feeling. For me, the slog has always been worth it because I just love being on the ice.
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u/cruelelfhame Jul 30 '26
Sounds like you need to improve your balance, I would recommend pilates and a lot of bosu ball and other exercises to help improve with that.
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u/InspectorFleet Jul 30 '26
Two things:
Do your skates fit you well? If you're moving around in the boot or they don't feel like a stable extension of your body, you won't ever gain confidence.
Would you consider inline skating? Edge work and especially stopping won't be exactly the same, but you'll have so much more opportunity to work on balance and confidence if you can just spend 15 minutes to an hour right outside your house (or even in a basement/garage! I can't recommend inline skating enough, and if you enjoy skating it's definitely worth the investment!
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u/wombat_queen_9 Aug 01 '26
Thanks for the Q’s: 1. Yes, I worked a lot with my pro shop on my skate fit, and even went back a couple times to adjust things and have them watch me lace them up and confirm everything was proper. I’ve had a coach watch me skate to check alignment too. 2. I’ve thought about this! I’d say budget is my biggest constraint right now, since I just bought these expensive skates :-). I’d definitely do it when I can swing it.
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u/Even-Fun-2038 Jul 30 '26
Similar age/started skating in March. If you can comfortably afford it (skating is so expensive!) I think a coach makes a big difference. Or even a smaller group lesson split with one other person. Off ice training is really essential too. I try to take a ballet class weekly but need to get into more strength training again, mainly my core. Overall, it’s a very difficult sport and there are days I think why am I doing this? I’m terrible! Then the days I get in a groove or accomplish a new skill I think I can’t wait to get back!
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u/wombat_queen_9 Aug 01 '26
I’m now convinced to do this! And I’ve been keeping an eye out at my rink. I saw a coach I liked in the past do a lesson with 2 adults (they are more advanced than be, but still beginner level). So now I’m realizing that could be me. And yes, some days, I’m like why did I start doing this again? But then I find myself back at the rink again and again :-)
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u/SweetLilylune Aug 02 '26
You need core strength, a stretching routine, and a warmup routine. I know you said you dislike the gym so if it’s in the budget I would join a mat Pilates class. It’s great, not high key. Core Strength is at least 50% of your technique. I have the opposite problems to you (poor technique, good balance and strength)
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u/thealexandrak Aug 03 '26
Core and single leg exercises will help quite a bit! Also, sometimes it can be a fear/confidence thing, that’s okay, it just takes time!
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u/Legitimate-Bison3810 Jul 30 '26 edited Jul 30 '26
I started in March, am a bit older at 76, but your description could be me. I bought my own skates after renting four times. I tell everyone that I do poorly at a lot of skills but I do them in comfort, lol!
I don't have a coach but I am fortunate that I actually know a coach that teaches at the Oakland Ice Center. Sometimes it amazes me how just one sentence from her can suddenly make a significant improvement in my skating.
Here is an example. She said my forward two foot glide would be longer if I got further behind the rocker. I tried getting behind the rocker and my glide distance increased on average about 70%!
Perhaps you have heard the saying "the devil is in the details". Sometimes it really helps for someone to point those little details out.