Making Your Inline Skates Faster

 

Inline skates are already markedly faster than traditional roller skates. With that said, if you have a need for speed, then the factory model inline skates for men may not cut it. In order to move faster, you are going to have to address your technique and your gear. Fortunately, relatively small changes and upgrades are capable of making a world of difference. 

Making Your Inline Skates Faster

Technique Alterations

Changing up your technique in certain situations is the easiest and cheapest way to really get moving. Of course, your use of each technique will depend on the terrain, the direction, and the proximity of possible obstacles. Use your discretion to apply these techniques at will. 

• A Running Start: It seems like common sense, but really pumping your legs when you first take off can make a huge difference in your peak speed. All you have to do is get that spring going for the first few strides, and you will build momentum that will last far beyond the point where you transition to longer strides. 

• Double-push: The double push takes some practice, but it’s a great way to avoid wasting energy on a straightway. Rather than pushing straight out in each stride, the skater pushes the skate out slightly, brings the skate back under the center of gravity, and then pushes out again. This move nearly doubles the power placed into each stride. 

• Crossovers: Crossover steps are the best way to maintain momentum through a turn or across a diagonal. Essentially, instead of taking a stride parallel to your line of motion, you start the stride by placing the skate in front of and across the opposite skate and push out from there. 

Gear Upgrades

When you buy roller blades online, you quickly realize that skates can be far more complicated than you ever imagined. From the profile of the skate to the wheels, you can customize roller blades to perfectly fit your favorite skating style. If the goal is speed, these are the changes you can make. 

• Bullet Profile: You’re probably familiar with the standard boot profile of a roller blade, but there are a number of variations. Trick skaters and speed skaters have two of the most distinctive preferred boot profiles. For speed skaters, it’s called a bullet profile because it’s ultra-sleek for minimum drag. These feature a narrow boot with a pointed toe, and minimalistic straps that fit tight to the skate. 

• Upgraded Ball Bearing: Your ball bearings rotate smoothly enough, but there are upgraded versions that create slicker, faster rotation. As with any ball bearing, you will want to make sure that these stay clean and oiled so that you never lose speed to friction. 

• Larger Wheels: Speed skaters use larger wheels for a reason. Each rotation pushes you farther than a smaller wheel due to the increased diameter. Keep in mind that larger wheels may slightly reduce your agility and ability to do more complex moves because they are solely built for speed. 

Learning to Skate at High Speeds

When you change your gear or your technique, it always pays to be careful. Even the smallest alteration in the dynamic between your body and your skate could cause an unexpected fall. As a result, it is important to take it slow. 

If you are changing your technique and your gear, try to prioritize learning one at a time. For example, if you’re changing your gear, get used to it using your normal movements first prior to introducing new techniques. 

As always, it is important to wear full safety gear to protect yourself for serious injury.