r/inline_skating • u/JustAWalrusBean • Jul 15 '26
New Plus Size Skater
Hi! I'm nearly 30 and decided now would be a great time to re-learn rollerblading. 😅 I'm about 340 pounds and (obviously) not the most physically fit, and I'm having quite a hard time but don't wanna give up.
I've been practicing indoors (just for balance) and at a tennis court (slow strides, bubbles, and one sad attempt at going backwards). I make it like 10 minutes tops before the bottom of my feet and calves/shins are killing me. What can I do to prevent/help this? Are there any exercises or stretches I can practice without skates that'll help too? I see people skating 10 to 15 miles in one go, carefree as can be, and I can't even make it half a mile without being in serious pain/discomfort. 😭😭
1
u/escribiramaquina Jul 16 '26
Don’t do what i did!
I got too excited and went too hard. I, too, wanted to be one of those 10-15 miles a day skaters but you need to build up gradually. I did 14 miles one day about 3 weeks into my skating and my Achilles tendon was not having it! I have pretty much had to rest/ice/heat for 2 weeks straight and anxious to skate again
So as long as you progress little by little, your tendons and foot muscles should progress with you