- This is a guest post by Erica Chapman -
This weekend, I went roller skating as part of a “girls night” with some friends. We giggled as we got dressed in multi-colored tights and gold hotpants, and outright belly-laughed as we each took turns hitting the floor in glorious, flailing spills. But as we all exchanged text messages the next day about various sore body parts, it became clear—roller skating is a WORKOUT! And that’s why, below, I give you 5 reasons for why a roller girl is a fit girl.
1. Roller girls have great gams
Between constantly pushing off the ground and lifting up that several-pound skate over and over, you're in for some serious quad-fatigue. Since you’ll be carving out strong stems, show 'em off in fun, dual-colored tights like these from American Apparel.
2. Roller girls get a sculpted booty
Here’s where some talent could come in handy for symmetrical toning: since I can only (barely) skate forwards, I got a disproportionate amount of booty burn in my right glute from all that constant turning left. Now if I could only skate backwards….but hey, that certainly didn’t stop me from rocking these American Apparel hot shorts (over tights, of course) as I “felt the burn”.
3. Roller girls get cardio fit
Ok, so it’s not as intense as a jog, but it’s definitely no stroll in the park—especially if you happen to be at a rink with seasoned pros (yep, they exist). Just keeping up with the flow of traffic got my heart rate up to a nice clip! It didn’t hurt that the DJ was spinning some serious club tunes, which always gets me moving. In case you're picky when it comes to music or the DJ's gone on break, jam away to your own tunes with a Jammy Pack. It's like a boombox-fanny-pack and all your essentials like your cell phone fit inside. I know MizzFIT rocks out to hers in Mr. Pink style.
4. Roller girls sharpen their coordination
Maybe this doesn’t count as getting fit, per se, but I love a workout combining cardio or strength training with a mental test of concentration or strategy—you reap double the reward. Roller skating is hilariously FUN because you have to pay attention! Not only to the hotshot making a game out of passing within inches of you, but to your balance, your coordination, your speed, the music—It’s like a retro, black-lit, DJ’d obstacle course! Who doesn’t love those? Revv yourself up for it in these extravagant high-fashion skates by Moxi. Also sold at Urban Outfitters.
5. Roller girls get a laugh
No doubt, sometimes you have to make yourself work out when it’s the very last thing in the world you want to do. But this is one sneaky workout that will never feel like a chore—just rock those hot shorts with confidence, get out on the rink and start having a blast! I guarantee you’ll notice how much fun you’re having WAY before you realize how sore your legs will be tomorrow. And just in case you fall, throw these Destroyer Pro Knee Pads in your bag so you can laugh it off and pop right back up.
