You want to start rollerblading, buy your first pair but don't know where to start? No problem, the HawaiiSurf blog is here for that! Buying your first skate is always an important moment! But far from simple, we agree... How to choose your first rollerblades online? We'll tell you everything! The easiest way to start is to ask yourself what purpose you will be skating for. Many practices exist: Fitness, Freeskate, Touring, etc. These are very different and cater to different levels and goals. Indeed, whether you start skating with the goal of touring, freeskate, or purely for leisure or walks, your needs will not be the same. To start, it is preferable to begin with a fitness rollerblade, known for being light and comfortable. It is also the most versatile and fun practice. The ideal way to start rollerblading while having fun! We will therefore reveal our best tips for choosing your first pair of fitness rollerblades!
Fitness rollerblading, the best choice for beginners
Fitness is the practice that most often comes up when choosing a first roller skate. The fitness inline roller is a very popular sport, especially for its many physical benefits. Indeed, this fun activity combines cardio, balance & sharing. It can be practiced both alone and with family, and especially from a very young age. Fitness is also an effective way, when practiced regularly, to expend energy and burn a maximum of calories without feeling like you are doing sport. To motivate you, keep in mind that 1 hour of fitness roller skating allows you to burn 500 calories! Incredible, isn't it? This practice is also excellent for working your cardiovascular endurance, body coordination, as well as strengthening the muscles of the legs, glutes, and abdominals. The positive aspect is also found in the fact that this sport is often practiced outdoors. It is an excellent way to get fresh air, enjoy good weather while expending energy! The playground is very vast, between bike paths and paved roads. Although some people prefer to practice indoors to avoid the risk of falls and injuries in bad weather. You can also use roller skating as an alternative means for your daily commutes! In short, fitness roller skating is a super versatile practice and especially very easy to start. As previously highlighted, this type of roller skate is ideal for beginners. Indeed, fitness skates are designed to offer a good balance between stability and speed. These are lightweight and comfortable skates that have a more flexible ankle support to promote bending and pushing. Ideal for cruising in the city or covering a few more kilometers! These rollers are often equipped with larger and softer wheels than other types of rollers, which makes them more stable and easier to maneuver. Moreover, practicing fitness inline roller skating can help improve balance, coordination, and overall physical condition. All good things... Now all that's left is for you to take the plunge!
What characterizes a fitness inline skate?
Before highlighting different fitness models, let us clarify the roller vocabulary for you. A fitness inline skate has several elements that are important for choosing your next pair!
- The wheels: The particularity of fitness wheels is their size. Indeed, they are wider (between 80mm and 90mm) than those on speed skates. Their purpose is to offer better stability and maneuverability.
- The frame: It represents the part that connects the wheels and the boot. The frame of fitness rollerskates is often shorter and lighter than those of speed skates. They also provide more maneuverability and better responsiveness to movements.
- The boot: Flexible and padded, the fitness roller skate boot offers excellent comfort and good support for the feet and ankles.
- The brakes: Often located at the rear, fitness brakes are large and easy to use to allow skaters to better control their speed and stopping.
Our selection of Rollerblade models for fitness skating
Before choosing the model that suits you, it is important to always go for a fairly rigid roller skate. Fitness models are, they provide optimal support, which is essential when starting out. You need to be sure that the roller skate holds your foot well to have the best possible posture. Be careful not to associate rigidity with discomfort!
The Rollerblade Zetrablade model
Vous avez prévu de faire des petites balades, vous amuser, profiter de votre ville et faire du sport sans y penser ? Le Rollerblade Zetrablade est fait pour vous ! Une petite présentation de ce modèle phare s'impose ! Le Zetrablade est un roller fitness destiné aux débutants et aux patineurs occasionnels. Il a été pensé pour offrir un bon équilibre entre confort, performance et prix abordable. Le chausson est super confortable grâce à sa construction softboot. Cette construction permet de s'adapter parfaitement à la forme de votre pied.
Optimal support ensured! The one-piece plastic structure, on the other hand, provides good lightness while remaining quite rigid. A good compromise to be able to push seriously during all your roller outings! In terms of assembly, we find the four 80mm 82A wheels for maximum comfort and sensations. This is the reference setup to start inline skating. We stay low to the ground, stable and maneuverable to be able to move everywhere! This model is ideal if you go roller skating once or twice a week with a weekly mileage of less than 25km! 
Level: Beginner, introductory.
Usage/ Frequency: Occasional (less than 25km per week).
The Rollerblade Macroblade 80 model
If you want to treat yourself a little more or if you clearly have a "more sporty" goal, the range just above will allow you to skate harder and more frequently. The Macroblade 80 will be perfect for this use. This model is suitable for beginner to intermediate skaters. The fit provides a feeling similar to its little brother the Zetrablade, and that's normal, as it still uses the same "performance" liner from Rollerblade. However, the Macroblade features a more breathable material with a lacing system that allows for a better fit and support. But the main difference lies underneath. The Macroblade is mounted on an aluminum Twinblade frame, which is more resistant and durable, to adapt to more regular use. The rigidity of the aluminum allows for skating harder and longer. Regarding the wheels, it comes with an 80mm-82A setup with the possibility to upgrade to 84mm wheels thanks to the Twinblade frame. This is an important point if you want to gain comfort or aim for slightly longer distances. This model works very well for starting leisure skating but is essential if you already plan more regular use. It allows for a greater margin of progression than the Zetrablade.
Level: Beginner to intermediate.
Usage/ Frequency: Regular.
The Rollerblade Macroblade 84 Boa model
To go further, while remaining accessible and suitable for beginner practice, you also have the Macroblade 84. This iconic model has made a strong comeback this year! It is very similar to the Macroblade 80 we presented earlier, except for the wheel size. The 84 is equipped with the largest wheel size in the series (84mm). However, we preferred to highlight the Macroblade 84 in the BOA version! More practical and faster for putting on, the Boa tightening system allows for very precise adjustment. The micrometric dial also adds value to this improved entry-level model. It ensures additional rigidity and support. It is therefore ideal for beginner to intermediate skaters who aim to undertake beautiful rides.
Level: Beginner to intermediate.
Usage / Frequency: Regular and enduring.
Now that you know which model you are leaning towards, it is important not to forget the essential: protective gear ! Yes, rollerblading is a sliding sport and therefore risky... It is crucial to equip yourself and protect yourself for every roller outing. Equip yourself with a helmet, knee pads, wrist guards, and elbow pads before you start. In short, we recommend taking the time to carefully choose your skates always based on your skill level, body type, and especially the intended use! It is also essential to ensure your safety with a complete set of protective gear to avoid any injuries in case of a fall! Have a great session & see you soon in Hawaii!
Camille, HawaiiSurf.
