What can I do to prepare for figure skating classes?

All the advice in the other answers is good, so I won't re-type it. However, weight training is beneficial. If it is done properly, it does not cause pain (if you feel pain, stop immediately). My skating coach tells me to do weight training twice a week. You need strength for serious figure skating. Just maybe do it a couple days before, not the day before, your lesson.

You can stretch at any of the times you listed. It's important that your muscles are ready. You can go to open skates months before, a few days before and a day before, to practice your stroking. You should wear something comfortable like sweats and make sure what you wear is warm.

to get stronger legs try: -jogging -ballet -swimming -biking a few months before getting on the ice: -start stretching so you're nice and flexible -practice jumps and spins on the floor -make such that your skates fit -eat healthy stuff most of the time a few days in advance: -get skates sharpened -make sure that your skates still fit -plan out a practice plan for your first session back on the ice the day before: -pack your bag -plan out what you are going to wear -fill up a water bottle and put it in the fridge a few minutes before: -stretch -keep your feet moving -pull back your hair -ask your coach if there's something that she/he wants you to warm up what to wear: -skates -tights and a skirt or pants that you can move around in easily -depending on how warm or cold your training rink is, you may want to bring a sweater -gloves or mits -and have your hair up! a pony tail, a bun ect hope this helps!! -tristin

Firstly you should wear comfortable clothing. For my first lesson i wore the most uncomfortable leotard ever (bearing in mind i was 4) i spent the entire lesson fiddling with my leotard and could hardly remember anything that my teacher had actually said. So i would probably wear like a material tracksuit like velour? There are various things you can do to get in shape for your lessons. A few months in advance start do cardiovascular work like running, bike riding and swimming. These will increase your fitness levels and will make your legs stronger and more toned (which is always a bonus.) I would also try yoga or pilates to increase your flexibility as you will need to be quite flexible on the ice. Dance classes wouldn't be a bad idea either as you can work on flexibility and also co-ordination. The day before don't do anything special. Just relax, eat well, have a bath and then get a lot of sleep. The day of your lesson about 5 minutes before, stretch out your muscles and have a bit of a warm up. Most teachers/trainers will take you through a warm up anyway but you should probably find this out. Good luck and i hope you have fun on the ice.

Bike riding is really good for your leg muscles in ice skating, and so is running. You also need grace and balance, so maybe try ballet lessons? try jumps off-ice too; the more you practice, the better you will be when it comes to getting on the ice, and also try to get down to the rink as many times as possible. (this will help you with your confidence when getting onto the ice) When i get on the ice, i am always shakey at first. Your coach should just make you skate forwards for a bit until you relax, then you move onto the stuff you need to do. I have just got back from ice skating, and i streched my legs before getting on for training. Thats meant to be good too. About the weight lifting, that tends to pull muscles in the arms (which aches a bit and goes after a few days, so i wouldnt suggest that just before your lesson. The day before (if you have your own skates) check your blades to see if they are still sharp (both edges but in particular the inside as this wears out with the snow plow stop and things), make sure your soakers are dry (or else your blades can rust if they are left on for too long and get all of your things ready so you have less things to worry about before you go! a few days in advance? Erm, try and find out what you are learning (i was given a booklet with a list as to what i was learning) so i looked on youtube just so i knew what to expect. if you search for "Expert Village" on youtube, they have some good videos on how to do things correctly. Best of luck, i am doing my lessons too, i still have another 7 weeks to go on mine and i love it!!! :) You will have a fab time, honest :D Just listen to your coach, ask for help if you need it and dont be afraid to fall. Kirsty. x