3 very good reasons to start roller skiing

If you are an enthusiastic cross-country skier or an alpine snow enthusiast, this is for you. We're discussing roller skiing and how it can benefit and enhance your performance during the snowless months.

Staying fit

There's an old saying that “good skiers are made during the summer”, and it holds a lot of truth. You can't expect to stay in shape for cross-country skiing in the winter if you don't put in some effort during the spring, summer, and fall.

The good news is that you can achieve this easily by focusing on the same muscles with a pair of roller skis. When you go cross-country skiing, you use more than 80% of your body muscles. When you go roller skiing, you use the same muscles, providing not only a perfect workout but also a very specific one.

Roller skiing, just like cross-country skiing, enhances your core strength, arms, and leg muscles, and it's an excellent cardio workout. Additionally, it offers low-pressure and low-impact on your joints, making it ideal if you have an injury and cannot run, for instance.

Improving your technique

Not only does roller skiing keep you fit, but it also allows you to work on your technique. Depending on your preference, you can choose between two types of roller skis - skate or classic.

Skate roller skis have narrower wheels with a larger diameter and a shorter base. They are perfect if you want to experience the real on-snow feel of skate skiing. They offer more freedom in movement and greater speed.

Classic roller skis have wider wheels with a smaller diameter and a longer base. They are ideal if you need more balance and want to work on your kick-off. Your arms and core get significantly engaged with these. As the name suggests, they prepare you for a more classic on-snow performance.

No snow? Not a problem

Last but not least, the obvious reason is that you can go roller skiing during the snowless months, which (unfortunately) are far more numerous than the snowy ones. Roller skis were introduced way back in the 1930s as training equipment for professional cross-country skiers.

Over time, roller skis have significantly improved in replicating the on-snow experience. The way they are built today closely mimics actual skiing, with the only difference being that it can be done off-season. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it!

So check out our page and get a pair of roller skis so you're ready for the upcoming winter season. If you're not sure which ones are right for you, don't hesitate to contact us; we have quite a few experts in-house.