Fitness wonder skating

Energy consumption at full throttle – and brainpower increases.

Anyone who's tried it will leave the regular trails behind: skating, the action-packed version of cross-country skiing. Winter sports enthusiasts glide along untracked winter paths in skating strides, true to the motto: more speed, more power, more fun. Experts agree that skiing on the trails promotes health and fitness. The moderate movement of the legs, arms, and upper body is an ideal cardiovascular workout.
The result: Skating, a full-body sport, is increasingly becoming a genuine alternative to alpine skiing. No wonder, since it offers many advantages for experienced athletes as well as beginners. Here are five good reasons to start skating this winter and glide dynamically through the snow.

Easy to get started

Skating resembles natural movements, which is why it's so easy to get started. Beginners only need a few lessons with a coach, while experienced skiers can usually start right away after a little practice. The important thing for everyone is to start at a moderate pace and gradually increase it. Beginners should skate for up to 15 minutes three times a week.

Pure joy

Your heart rate is higher when skating than when cross-country skiing. This not only gets you fit but also boosts the production of endorphins in your body. With plenty of fresh air and exercise in snowy landscapes, stress and winter depression don't stand a chance, and your soul is recharged.

Fitness the gentle way

On average, a skater is about nine percent faster than a classic cross-country skier. The welcome consequence: the training effect is greater than in any other endurance sport. Advanced skaters can easily train three to five times a week for 30 to 60 minutes. Nothing gets you in shape as gently as skating. Falls are rare. Joints, tendons, ligaments, and the spine are hardly stressed.

All-around healthy

Skating is good for you – for your whole body. Numerous medical studies confirm this. It strengthens the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Cholesterol levels drop, and arteriosclerosis and high blood pressure improve. This reduces the risk of heart attacks and diabetes. Skating activates the hormonal balance and boosts the immune system. Eighty percent of your muscles are strengthened gently but effectively.

Smart slimming aid

A welcome side effect in the fight against excess weight: It burns fat and tones the entire body. Metabolism and energy expenditure are boosted. No other sport burns as many calories. At peak performance, over 1,000 kcal per hour are burned. The best part: While the pounds are shed, your brainpower increases. Because skating makes you smarter. By improving balance, it optimizes the interaction between the two hemispheres of the brain.

For avid skaters, cross-country skiing is like brain training. It clears the mind, exercises all the muscles, and stimulates the senses. And it's simply fun.

Reference: GibsonPictures, med_ved