10 Disadvantages of Roller Skating


If there’s one thing that may deter you from roller skating, it very well could be one of the disadvantages of roller skating, mentioned below.

Roller skating is a great exercise and many people can reap the rewards of skating daily.

You may become stronger, faster, have more endurance, have more enjoyment and become emotionally fulfilled.

But you will likely have to go through some hardships as a beginner and first-time roller skater.

The disadvantages of roller skating include a tough learning curve for beginners, heightened risk of injury, elevated risk of knee, hip or joint pain, the development of patellar tendonitis, the probability of falling and scraping your legs, hands, wrists or elbow, and the fact that this is probably going to be harder than roller blading or riding a bike. Not to mention that you will have to buy or maintain your roller skates every few months.

As much as I would love for you to enjoy your exercise, sometimes it comes with risks, and you must weigh these against the rewards.

Look at the disadvantages of roller skating and decide for yourself if the benefits are worth the risk.

Disadvantages of Roller Skating

1. Challenging Learning Curve

The first disadvantage of roller skating is the difficulty it takes to learn a new and risky exercise.

Roller skating is going to take time to learn.

Many people learn roller skating as kids.

If you didn’t get the chance to learn how to roller skate growing up, then it will be that much harder at this point in your life.

Roller skating takes skill and practice.

You are going to need something to hold on to until you get it.

Most people will practice at a local roller-skating rink and follow the wall.

This is where the handrail is, making it easier to stay upright.

If that is not available, grab a buddy and have them walk next to you.

2. Injury Risk

One of the biggest cons to roller skating is the chance that you could be badly injured during your skating session.

You could sprain or fracture your wrist, elbow, knee, ankle, shoulder, hand and arm.

The taller you are, the harder your fall will be.

If you are not a seasoned roller skater, the slightest bump could send you sprawling.

In order to reduce the risk of injury, always make sure you wear your helmet, elbow and knee pads, and wrist guards.

Practice next to something that can stabilize you if you are to fall.

You can always use ski poles to help keep your balance or catch you if you stumble.

3. Roller Skating Can Be Bad for Your Knees and Hips

If you like to roller skate a lot or your form is not good, you could put a lot of stress on your knees and hips.

The tendons and ligaments will get worn over time, causing stress and inflammation.

The best thing you can do to avoid this is to participate in strength training workouts.

The workouts will help you squat correctly and strengthen the areas around your knees, so they are protected.

Stretching and foam rolling can help your body rest and recover and get you ready for your next bout of roller skating.

4. You May Develop Patellar Tendonitis

If you are an avid roller skater, you have a chance of developing patellar tendonitis, typically called jumpers knee.

Basketball players are most notable for developing this condition but it can happin if you skate a lot or do it with bad form, putting all the stress on your knees.

If you happen to get this, it could take weeks or months to get your knees to be pain free.

Make sure you are strength training, adequately resting and recovering, and drinking lots of water.

5. Skating Locations Can Be Hard to Find

One disadvantage of roller skating as exercise is finding the right place to do it.

Many people are ok with skating on the streets or sidewalks in your neighborhood.

If you don’t have access to these things, you may need to look for an alternative location.

The park, skating rink, or downtown area may be a good place to roller skate.

Find somewhere with adequate and smooth trails for long distance skating, great cardio, and loads of fun.

6. You Could Fall At Any Moment

One of the biggest disadvantages of roller skating is the chance that you may fall at any time. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned veteran, you never know when gravity may take a turn for the worst.

Just the thought of a fall could deter someone away from taking the opportunity to skate, even on a beautiful sunny day.

A fall could lead to bumps, bruises, and many injuries.

The best way to avoid a fall is to be a heads up and aware skater.

Know your surroundings and what you are skating over and around.

The better you get at skating, the less likely you will fall over time.

If you fall, try to get up and keep going.

7. Sores, Scrapes, Bumps, and Bruises

One con against roller skating is the possibility of sores, bumps, bruises and scrapes.

If your skates don’t fit properly, the rubbing around the ankle area could lead to rubbing sores.

Any fall can lead to bumps bruises and scrapes.

Always have a first aid kit ready in case you need to mend a wound.

Wash open cuts and treat accordingly.

8. Harder Than Roller Blading For Most

One disadvantage of roller skating is that it’s harder than roller blading for most people.

The way the 4 wheels align side to side make it a bit more difficult to keep your front to back balance.

Roller blades are typically smoother, more versatile, and make keeping your balance much easier.

With roller skates, you have to use the rubber brake in the front of the skate to stop.

With roller blades, you can typically slow down swerving side to side or using the rear rubber break pad.

9. You Have To Maintain Or Buy New Skates

Another con to roller skating is with the continual wear and tear continuous skating puts on the roller skates, the more often you will have to maintain or replace them.

Over time, the wheels and bearings are going to deteriorate.

The wheels will need replacing and the bearings will need oiling.

You may even have to replace the skates themselves with the shoe part of the skate wears and gets old.

10. You Could Die

Last, but not least, you could die.

Even though the chances of this happening are slim to none, it could happen.

If you are looking the wrong way, you could run directly into a pole at high speeds.

You could get hit by a car.

If you’re not looking, you could go sailing right off the edge of a cliff.

Again, this is extremely unlikely to happen, but at least you are warned.

How dangerous is roller skating?

Roller skating can be dangerous.

The biggest danger of roller skating is the chance for a major fracture or injury to a bone or joint. At any time, you could have a fall, or run into someone or something. The worse the skater is, the more harm he or she may cause to themselves.

Make sure to practice in a controlled environment, wear safety gear and you will greatly reduce your chance for injury.

Can you die from roller skating?

You most certainly can die from skating.

You are most likely to die from roller skating if you are a beginner, are skating rambunctiously, are not watching where you’re going or run into or get hit by something bigger and harder than you. A car, bus, train, pole, other person, or cliff are the things that could do the most damage.

Always be safe and aware of your surroundings and you will be fine.

Is roller skating bad for your knees?

Your knees are sensitive areas of the body.

Roller skating can be bad for your knees if you skate a lot or use bad form. Try to workout to strengthen the muscles that support the knees and use correct form if you skate often.

This way you will keep your knees strong and out of harms way.

Summary: The Disadvantages of Roller Skating

Although roller skating is a great workout, providing strength, endurance, and longevity for the body, it’s always smart to look at the disadvantages of roller skating to make the best decision when taking on a new exercise. Understand that practice makes perfect, you can always get up from a fall, and injuries don’t last forever. Find a good location, improve your skill, and make the disadvantages of roller skating disappear.

If you liked this article, check out: Is Roller Skating Good Exercise? (Pros and Cons)

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