Both roller skates and rollerblades have always been grouped as similar sports.
Seen as relatively safe and fun sports, people would love to incorporate these into their exercise routines.
This, however, has created a “roller skates vs rollerblades for exercise” debate.
No worries; continue reading, as this article contains all the details on how practical both activities are as exercises.
Muscles Affected
If you want to use rollerblades or roller skates for fitness, you first need to know which muscles get stronger when you ride.
Rollerblading and roller skating work on different muscles because they require different kinds of balance.
Rollerblading makes you work harder and gives you a better workout if your goal is to get fit.
Rollerblading is an excellent way to get your thighs, buttocks, calves, and stomach in shape.
It is also a great way to work out your heart and lungs.
As much as roller skating is a great way to get in shape, it takes a more controlled effort.
You will be able to go slowly on roller skates.
But if you want to rollerblade slowly, you must need skill and training.
When you rollerblade, you have to move forward with your legs.
This includes strengthening the following:
- Quadriceps
- Hamstrings
- Gluteus maximus
- Calves
- Other muscles in the legs as a whole
During a ride, your arms are also affected as you move them back and forth.
This will help you use the muscles in your core and lower back.
So, they, too, will become much stronger.
On the other hand, roller skating works on the following:
- Abs
- Glutes
- Thighs
- Calves
All of which are strong and flexible.
When you roller skate, the flexion movement works to engage and tone your behind.
When you move your legs in and out, your quads, hamstrings, and thighs will also be affected.
First, the muscles in the calves will get toned.
Then, the rest of the muscles will work to follow.
Related Reading: Inline Skate Vs. Roller Blades – Read About Them Here.
Roller skates
This activity can make your muscles stronger, your heart healthier, and your body more flexible and durable.
It’s easier on the joints than running, and you can burn roughly 600 calories in an hour doing it.
It’s a great way to work out your whole body, especially your hips and legs.
You can tone your muscles and lose weight while having a good time with this activity.
Since this is a form of exercise, combining it with a diet will help you lose weight.
It also doesn’t put as much stress on your knees as running does.
Some kinds of roller skating, like vert or artistic skating, are hard workouts, but generally, roller skating is still considered a low-impact workout.
You won’t get as sore as you would if you played a sport with more impact.
You likely get hurt if you take part in a roller derby or skate on the rough ground.
But it is a sport with low impact, so injuries are less likely to happen.
Rollerblades
Rollerblading is a great cardio exercise that works your whole body.
On average, you can burn at least 65 calories per mile, which is at least 634 calories per hour (for a 180-pound person).
It works your abs and buttocks and tones your muscles the same way roller skating does.
Rollerblading helps you burn many calories and tone your muscles, but you also need to eat right while working out.
But you tend to burn more calories when rollerblading than when you skate.
Most of the time, this sport is more dangerous than roller skating.
You tend to move more quickly and forcefully, potentially hurting your joints.
The more intense and fast-paced the ride, the sorer you will be afterward.
You don’t usually go for casual strolls on rollerblades, so the soreness will probably be worse than on roller skates.
Because the wheelbase is so wide, many skaters feel more balanced and stable when they put on a pair of roller skates.
You can stand still without too much trouble.
Rollerbladers like how the boot of their skates makes them feel secure and supported.
It fits better and keeps your ankles safe, but the wheels make it less stable when you stand up.
You can keep your balance better when you’re moving.
Because you can go faster on rollerblades, they can sometimes be more dangerous than roller skates.
Overall though, it’s still a very safe activity if you have the right gear, blades, and safety gear.
Related Reading: Socks For Roller Skating – Read About Them Here.
Conclusion
The comparison of roller skates vs. rollerblades for exercise, both are great ways to get your body in shape.
It depends on what you want to focus on and your exercise preference.
Roller skating is better for you if you are looking for steady and disciplined daily exercises with less risk involved.
Rollerblades can potentially get you to burn more calories due to the speed you can achieve, though.
Conversely, the same speed can risk both accidents and the amount of soreness your muscles will feel.
Of course, both activities are still relatively safe as long as you follow safety procedures.
Ultimately, both activities will be ineffective without a proper diet.