09/12/2021
Figure skating: basic equipment for training.
Are you going to do figure skating? This sport can be practiced traditionally on ice skates or on roller skates in the gym. Figure skating on roller skates is a relatively young sport, which was included in the Unified All-Russian Sports Classifier only in 2012, whereas traditional figure skating is already several hundred years old. Whatever your training, in the article you will find all the necessary information to make the lesson a success.
Welcome to the world of figure skating!
Figure skating is a sport characterized by a high level of technology, freedom of movement and elegance. Whatever your practice or level, it is important to have the appropriate equipment. Here is a list of essentials that should be kept in a sports bag at all times.
Clothes
Let's start with the clothes. Regardless of whether you train at the rink or in the gym, it is important to protect yourself from possible falls and, consequently, scratches and bruises. You can choose a skirt and a sports hoodie for training, as well as tights. In order to keep warm during figure skating on ice, we recommend choosing thick tights.
There are also warm figure skating leggings with a water-repellent effect. Most leggings have straps for fixing under the skates.
Figure skating leggings with straps under the skate
As for the top, it is important to be able to undress during the session when it gets too hot for you, this applies not only to OFP classes, but also to training on ice. And yes, even on the ice rink during physical exertion, the body warms up very quickly. At the beginning of the lesson, it is important to dress properly: give preference to a fleece or windbreaker that fits a skirt or leggings. If you're still cold, don't be afraid to put on an extra sweater underneath.
Accessories for the skater
Gloves
The advice that you've probably heard many times, but often forgot: how to insulate your hands and feet. Gloves will warm your fingers and protect them from falling. Even if you do not skate at temperatures close to 0 ° C, we recommend wearing gloves, but thinner. Special gloves for figure skating can be a great addition to your outfit and go with a dress or a sports tunic. Gloves can even be decorated with rhinestones and made of wool or lycra, you will definitely find a pair suitable for training or competitions.
Socks, ankle protection
As for the legs, it is important to feel as comfortable as possible in figure skating shoes. Often the choice of socks is a matter of taste and depends on the particular skater. We recommend starting with a pair of warm socks, not too thick, so as not to restrict blood circulation and not to constrain the foot. Over time, you will be able to choose socks according to your practice and riding comfort.
Tip: Always wear high-top socks to protect your ankles from the irritation that shoes can sometimes cause.
For even more comfort in figure skating, we recommend that you wear an ankle brace, which can be worn both on socks and under them, depending on your preferences. A special retainer is made of elastic material, supports the ankle well and prevents joint pain, and special foam inserts reduce the pressure of the shoe on the foot and allow you to avoid discomfort in the legs during sports.
Accessories for skates
And now let's talk about the equipment that will be useful for protecting your equipment. Let's look at the list of things that must be in a sports bag.
It is very important for skaters to protect the blades of their skates. Let's explain everything now.
We are talking about blade covers that you need to put on to, for example, reach the ice from the locker room, a napkin that you need to wipe the blades after each workout, and soft covers that are put on the blades for transporting and storing skates.
Protective hard covers on the blade of figure skates
In addition, to protect the skin on the shoes, you can use covers for the skates themselves. The choice of colors is very wide! You can choose all the accessories to your taste or choose skate covers to match the color of tights - this will visually lengthen your legs. And yes, it's also a matter of style ;)
Athletes who continue to practice figure skating, especially during the study of jumping, are recommended to wear protective shorts. Foam inserts on the shorts soften the impact when falling, such shorts are comfortable to wear and easy to take off when the practice of jumping is over.
And last but perhaps most important is the skates! Regardless of whether you are skating on ice or roller skating in the gym, at the beginning of figure skating training, choose a pair in which your foot will be comfortable. When you start learning jumps and spins, you will need more professional hard shoes.
Now you are ready to start training in peace!
