Is Skateboarding a Good New Year's Resolution?
As the new year rolls in, many of us are thinking about resolutions. If you're looking for something fresh and exciting to kick off the year, why not give skateboarding a shot? I know, when it comes to New Year's resolutions it might not be the first thing you think about, but skateboarding offers fun, fitness and personal growth that's perfect for any age! So, here are some reasons as to why it's the perfect resolution for 2025!
Why is Skateboarding an awesome sport?
Social
To start it off, one of the core aspects of skateboarding as a lifestyle is the sense of community it fosters. It thrives on individuality, creativity, and personal expression. Because this thrilling sport often takes place in skateparks or other public spaces, it connects you with other like-minded people, so it's easy to make new friends!
Outdoor activity
It is no shock that skateboarding gets people outdoors, as it is mainly an outdoors sport. This encourages physical activity in the fresh air. For the little one, this helps break away from screen time and promotes physical engagement with the world. For adults, it offers a chance to explore the outdoors, experience nature, connect with their surroundings and have a blast in an active way.
Mental health
One major perk about skateboarding is the boost it brings to your mental health. It helps to reduce stress, improve focus, and boost moods. The concentration needed for skateboarding acts as a form of mindfulness, making it a great way to escape from the daily grind and clear your head.
Skateboarding helps people develop confidence in their abilities. As you master new skills, you gain a sense of achievement, whether it’s simply learning to ride or landing a difficult trick. It motivates independence and self-reliance, which can be empowering for people of all ages.
Physical health
Skateboarding is a killer way to improve physical health as it engages the legs, core and upper body. It is a very adaptable sport so it can be suited to all fitness levels. So whether you're just learning to roll or have been shredding for years, skateboarding will challenge your muscles, improve cardiovascular health, and increase endurance. It's a fun and dynamic way to stay active!For the younger ones, skateboarding is awesome at improving motor skills and body awareness. It also improves balance and coordination. For adults and the older crew, it helps maintain and enhance these abilities, which is key for overall physical health.
Is it too late to start?
Skateboarding doesn't have an age limit. Whether you're 5 or 50, people of all ages can enjoy and get better at it with practice. Starting later may even offer advantages, like better focus, discipline, and awareness compared to younger beginners. Whether you join a local skateboarding community or simply spend time at the park, you might even find that older beginners like you are also starting the sport, so it's never too late to make new friends! Lucky for you, it’s a sport where you can set your own pace and continually challenge yourself as you grow.
Tips for Learning:
Decide on a dominant foot: This is the foot used for pushing the board. For most people, this is their right foot.
Start Slowly: Begin with the basics, like how to stand on the board, balance and push around. Do not rush.
Practice Regularly: Consistency is key. Spend some time each day, or whenever you can, skating to build your confidence.
Work on Your Flexibility and Strength: Core strength and flexibility is crucial for skating. Improving these will subsequently improve your skating.
Best boards for beginners
Enuff Completes
Enuff skateboardsboards have proper shaping with a medium concave and an accentuated nose and tail, making it perfect for learning tricks and eventually transitioning to larger skateboards. They are designed to be versatile, easy to use, and suitable for both street and ramp skating.
Renner Completes
Renner skateboards are considered good for beginners because they offer a great build at an affordable price. Many models are specifically designed for beginner to intermediate skill levels. With a 31" long by 7.75" wide concave deck featuring nose and tail kicks to allow beginner skaters learn new tricks while keeping their feet secure with the full 80S Grip Tape.
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Rampage Completes
Rampage boards are typically priced lower than many other brands, making them a budget-friendly choice for new skaters. Despite the lower price, Rampage boards are built with quality materials like 7-ply maple decks, which are built to handle beginner falls and the learning process. As well as the Enuff, this board features a double kicktail deck which allows for easy popping tricks off either end of the board, which is helpful for beginners learning basic maneuvers.
Other things to think about:
As a beginner, wearing safety gear is especially important. Helmets, gloves, knee pads and elbow pads are all essential to protect yourself from falls. Skateboarding can be challenging at first, and it's better to be safe than sorry.
Skateboarding is physically demanding so it's important to consider this before taking on the sport.If you already have an active lifestyle or enjoy sports, skateboarding could be a natural fit. That said, listen to your body, start slow, and don't push too hard too soon. Warm up before skating and stretch afterward to reduce the risk of injury.
