Anyone here ROLLER skate on quads or inline...

[Rawkinlocs]

...for fitness?

If so, may I ask a few questions?

1. Do you feel one is better than the other - inline vs. quad wheels or is it a matter of personal preference?

2. Can you wear the same skates outdoors on pavement that you wear on a rink floor?

3. Are there certain features/things I should look for in a skate?

I'm not a pro by ANY stretch of the word...I can skate and get around the rink but I can't go backwards or do anything fancy - which I will be working on learning. But I plan to make this a serious "sport" for myself because I really enjoy skating and I want to learn as much as I can and make this my main outlet for exercise and activity. Even my girls want rollerblades so I can see it being a family thing with us girls.

[Dj 247]

My best advice is NOTto buy cheap rollerblades. Most rinks will not allow street skates inside if the wheels are dirty or worn. I check my wheels before each skate to make sure they are tight. Also wear all the gear it could save you from a nasty case of road rash. Practice in a parking lot or quite street. Stopping is the hardest. I don't know if there are classes in your area, but they are a good idea. My skates came with a training booklet. It really explains things like how to slow down, stop correctly, fall to prevent injury, ect. Good luck!

[Fancy Nancy]

Hi Rawkinlocs,
I'm not a skater, but Revvell had interviewed Debbie Merrill who teaches skating and happens to eat raw food, so perhaps her website might have some useful info: http://www.skategreat.com/
How fun to get exercise for yourself and time with your children - a winning combination! Enjoy.

[Rawkinlocs]

Thanks for the replies Dj and Nancy! :)

Dj, so when you say don't buy cheap rollerblades, do you mean don't buy CHEAP rollerblades or do you mean don't by rollerblades 'cause they're cheap? :D Just need a bit more clarity on that if you will. I'm kinda scared of rollerblades. I have always skated on quads but don't know if I will be able to feel as secure and balanced on inlines.

In Detroit (where I'm from), everyone wore regular quad roller skates. Here in WA, while some where skates, many were in the rink wearing rollerblades/inlines.

So, I wondered if it really mattered or not which style of wheels one got - was one better than the other for certain things or types of skating. I don't want to do the figure skating type of skating...just skating for fun and maybe even learn some of that disco/dance style of skating. I've always loved seeing people do that but never learned myself how.

I'm also going to visit Debbie's website and I've checked out a few other sites. The skating rink out here does offer lessons and I and my girls may sign up for them so I can learn a bit more. And I'll definitely get some protective gear!

Thanks again ladies!

[rainbowgirl]

I'm from Michigan too, and I love my quad skates.

This year we all got pairs, all the kids and me. Mine have purple wheels.

My son and daughter also have blades.

We all like the quads a lot, but son who is like a power speed type of skater likes his blades sometimes, depending on what he's doing.

Kids play this tag game on skates, and I used to try to skate once a day for a fun so fun exercise.

My skates are heavy and a great workout.

I haven't skated lately cause we moved, and house is too small, and yard is sand!

Rainbowgirl

[Rawkinlocs]

Thanks Rainbowgirl! Yeah, I think I'll be getting either rollerskates or quads. I bought rollerblades yesterday, but I'm taking them back...just not feeling them.

[Dj 247]

I am sorry I just got back to this post. When I was speaking of cheap blades I meant quality skates. You want skates that are smooth rolling and sturdy. If the boot is mostly plastic they are probably not a good buy. Also make sure you can replace the wheels when they wear down. Some cheaper skates you have to buy new skates instead of replacing the wheels. I am glad you can take some lessons and are learning in a safe environment. I learned to relax when skating and have slightly bent knees for better balance.

[Morn]

I love roller skating and roller blading. However rollerblading puts more pressure on your ankles and is not as comfortable. I think you just need to make sure the if you get roller blades for you or your kids that they at least have an ABEC 1 or higher bearing system. I have skates that have ABEC 3's in them. For me I was an excellent roller skater and so the transition to rollerblades was easy. If you wear your rollerblades outdoors you can't generally wear them in the rink cause they don't want their floors ruined.

If I went skating indoors I would just wear my old roller skates. It is funny cause my daughter couldn't stand up on roller skates to save her life but for some reason she was able to do roller blading. It seems crazy to me but thats what happened.

Oh and yes I would wear at least a helmet, and wrist pads (everyone should have pads). I only generally wear wrist pads but when helping my daughter's skate they have pulled me down with them and once I fell back and hit my head. It was a shock to me as I never fall so now if I am with them I wear one. I can't wait for the weather to get better here consistently in Michigan as I like to put my youngest daughter in the jogging stroller and roller blade with her.

Rollerskating backward is pretty similar to rollerskating. If you can do it on rollerskates you can do it on rollerblades.

The main thing is you have to find a comfortable pair of blades. My first pair were awful but my second pair are much better. I know you said you were going to return them. It might be that you just need to keep trying different brands on. Play it again sports sells new and used blades and you can skate around a bit in the store. This might be a good place for you to try.

Sorry to ramble on I just think it is great that you are going to do this with your kids. It truely is a great family activity!

[Rawkinlocs]

Thanks Dj and Morn!

Yeah, I took those blades back for two reasons:

1. They were the cheap-o kinda and from what I read from Dj and on a few skating discussion forums I went and lurked on, if you intend on being serious about skating (which I DO) then it's best to invest in a good pair and not get the cheap ones. And...
2. Because I just didn't like them. I am so used to skates and that's what I think I'd feel most comfortable on. Maybe one day after skating on regular roller skates for a while, I may move on to blades...but for now, my heart is set on the old-fashioned skates OR some low-boot quads (still not quite clear on the difference between quads and regular roller skates, though although I have an "idea".

But yeah, I got the cheap ones from Target for my girls and they are LOVIN' them! They've been going out skating around in the parking lot and on the basketball court since they got them and doing very well! My youngest daughter discovered her love for rollerblades after borrowing a pair from her best friend and she learned on her own how to skate on them. My oldest daughter had a pair a long time ago when we still lived in Detroit and she got around on them very well then...but because it had been a while, she needed to get used to them again and says she has adjusted to them and likes them better than regular skates.

So, they're doing very well with them...but mom is just old-fashioned I guess! :p

[Lay-Lay]

1. Do you feel one is better than the other - inline vs. quad wheels or is it a matter of personal preference? I have speed quads

2. Can you wear the same skates outdoors on pavement that you wear on a rink floor? umm you can, but its not recommended and some rinks won't let you.

3. Are there certain features/things I should look for in a skate? speed, good brakes (bumper on the front) comfortable fit, good wheels are key!

I am a huge roller skating fan. I used to go 2 or 3 times a week to the rink, but since I moved to Georgia, I haven't found a rink I was fond of. One around here actually has a concrete floor with a huge bump, I find that crazy, LOL!

[Rawkinlocs]

Hey Lay-Lay!

Cool, another skater in the house! :D Wow! A rink with a humpity concrete floor huh? That IS crazy! I guess it's for those who want that "outdoor" feel indoors? :confused:

Thank you for answering my inquiries. Where would you (or anyone else who cares to answer) recommend getting some good skates with good wheels from? I mean, I know that the ones at Target or Walmart probably won't be what I'm looking for in terms of quality. The only other options I've seen so far are:

1. Sporting goods stores
2. The skating rink
3. Online (where I can't try them on for a good fit)

I see a lot of places online, but I'm not sure if that is the best route. So, between the sporting goods and the roller rink, which would you suggest I go to? I'm so anxious to get them and get rolling. I know that I'm going to end up getting two pair, one for the rink and one for my regular outdoor recreation and exercise - but I'm gonna get some for outdoors first as I see myself skating more often/frequently outside as opposed to hitting the rink. Later, I'll get another pair for the rink and may not be so hard-pressed about quality for THAT pair as I am for the ones I intend to use more regularly.

Lay-Lay, how do you like the quads? Are they comfy and give you good balance? I'm trying to figure out between regular roller skates (boot-style) and quads with a lower cut boot.

Thanks for all the input everone! It's actually more than I was expecting for some reason! ;)

[Lay-Lay]

I would suggest the skating rink. They would have the most knowledge about skates, more so then the average sporting goods store who deals with a wide range of sports. I would so not buy a pair online. I have bought pairs at yard sales (cheap ones) and then put some quality wheels on them and that is an easier way to get into it without big costs (my best skates cost $1600 and I got them as a gift, that was really kool!)

[Rawkinlocs]

Thanks for the suggestions Lay-Lay! :)

[Lady Green Jeans]

Rawkinlocs,

I got my quads at the rink. They asked if I wanted indoor or outdoor wheels. I chose outdoors since I am in Southern CA. Also recommend the padding--helmet, elbow, wrist and knee pads to keep the injury factor minimalized.

I too tried inline and had to take them back before I killed myself. Did a good number of years on quads and love them.

Have fun!

[Morn]

Play it Again Sports - I just talked to my local store and they sell new and ones that are on consignment there.

[Rawkinlocs]

Thanks Morn!

[Morn]

your welcome. Before you I had never heard of quads before so I had to ask about them. The guy at my store said there is a growing market for them because a lot of people just can't make the transition. I think my husband might be one of them cause he has weak ankles.

[Wendee]

what are quads?

[Rawkinlocs]

what are quads?

Wendee, I'm still trying to figure out if there is a difference between roller skates (like the ones from the 70's/80's) and quads. Some sites made it seem like there is, but most sites seem to only make a distinction between inline skates and quad skates and in THAT case, quads are the ones with two wheels in front and two in back.

But upon doing even more research today via Google, it seems like the distinction with quads is that there are quad roller skates, quad speed skates and quad skates for recreation/artisitic skating and each one serves a different purpose.

[Wendee]

Yeh, because doesn't quad mean 4? Like in 4 wheels, LOL?:o

I used to skate with my chldren when they were little and we used roller skates, even though inlines were "in" pardon the pun, LOL.

In the 70's and 80's we skated with 4 wheels, also. Never liked inlines. Too hard to balance. Although, I'm not a very good skater to start with:rolleyes:

[Fuzzypeach]

I'd be interested to know what type of skates you ended up getting. I am an avid rollerblader. I go to a really nice park in the downtown of my city. There are many people there who skate on all types of skates, including different styles of the quads. I just always felt silly in them (no offense) and since I was little I always rollerbladed. I purchased some really nice rollerblades. The brand is K2. I also have skis in this brand and I absolutely love my skis and blades.

My husband has rollerblade brand rollerblades. He got a really good deal on them at Zappos.com, I think he paid $150 or so-- which is a steal for well made blades. Mine were quite a bit more expensive. Man, I wish we could all just get together and have a big skate club or something... that would be cool.

[Dj 247]

Hey, I have K2 skates! They are heavy, but I like them. I also like how they lace up.

[Fuzzypeach]

Hey DJ, this is off topic, but I use to live in Southern and Central Illinois. I loved it, but I have never been so hot in my life and I have never been so cold in my life!!

[shine72]

Rawkinlocs & Morn! - We had company this weekend and limited funds. So instead of going to Six Flags on Sunday, we went to the skating rink! At the beginning was fine. DH dropped off myself and ds w/autism. Silly me, who hasn't skated in almost 24 years, put my skates on too to go help my wonderful child who has NEVER been skating and already has COORDINATION ISSUES! So after falling a few times with him, I just went on the floor with my socks to help him. When dh got there with the rest of the crew, ds was ready to go home. But I did get him out there four times, which is a HUGE deal for him as it was loud and crowded and the lights were bothering him.

So, I take my other ds and dd out there and get them going, then when they were okay, I went and put my skates back on. The first time I fell after that, I fell forward and was able to make sure I fell on my right knee, which still has a little cartilage behind it, so it hurt, but didn't incapacitate me. Then the second time, fell on my butt SO hard (cause I was going a little faster by this point) that it reverberated all the way up my back into my neck. That was no good. So I took a rest and some guy told me that having the old skates on with the skinny wheels was actually worse cause they are so heavy and the wheels are too skinny. So I switched them out for speed skates which have wider wheels. Well, he was right. I was doing so much better. Until some big 'ol brat cut through the center (which you're not supposed to do) and actually cut in front of me so close that he clipped my skate and made me fall! On my left knee, which has NO cartilage behind it! So it's now swollen to twice the size of my other knee.

DH was a bit mad at me. Telling me I shouldn't have been skating in the first place. But I explained that I'd been wanting to for some time. He also said, well, look, the risks outweigh the benefits, cause if you had broken something, what would we have done (cause I prepare all the food). I then pointed out that it was more important for my kids to see their mom get up and try again instead of quitting, because that sets a good example for them. He dropped his arguement after that. He couldn't argue with that point because he knows our kids would have been scared if mom didn't keep going. So that's my adventures back into skating. I'll be recouping for a while, but I'll be back!:D

[Morn]

Shine 72 - good for you for standing up for yourself and being a good example to your kids! I hope you feel better soon!

[shine72]

Thanks Morn! Right now I look like somebody took a baseball bat to my kneecaps. But I'm still up and moving around and can do the things I need to do for the most part, so I'm grateful for that. I'm hoping to go back after I heal. I want to help the kids get there stuff going with it, then I'll work on me a bit more! LOL!;)

[Rawkinlocs]

Wendee - yeah, you're right! :o

Fuzzypeach - still haven't gotten them yet but I've still been researching and I "think" I'm settled on which ones I WANT - I'll let you know what I end up with! Thanks for your feedback - yeah, a skate club would be much fun!

Shine - Oh MY! I'm so sorry you got hurt girl! I hope you're feeling better very SOON! But yeah, good for you to set the example of "fall down - get up!" to your kiddos.

[shine72]

Thanks Rawkinlocs! Funny thing is, if anyone that was in the March class read that, they'd be laughing their b*tts off right now! I fell the night before the last day trying to carry too much, take off my slippers, put on my shoes and walk out the door at the same time. Gave Alissa a good laugh though, after she knew I was fine of course!

[Dj 247]

Fuzzypeach, Sorry it took so long to reply! You are right about the wheather in Southern Illinois. Cold winters/hot summers/nasty spring/ but, a beautiful fall! The fall is what keeps me from moving to Florida. lol. I hope to break out my skates, but my golf league has started and I have been out on the course trying to perfect my game. :p

[Morn]

Rawkinlocs - Oh I forgot to tell you the brand I bought was K2 also they are a lot more comfortable than my old rollerblade brand and I paid a lot less for them (around $100.00). I don't know if they make quads though.