What can i do to prepare myself for figure skating?

What can I do to prepare myself for figure skating?

• I havent started yet. But I want to ensure that I'm prepared and so I can show my dad I have what it takes to be in a sport that costs a lot of money. He knows how bad I want this ...show more

• Answer:

  Strength & flexibility. Strength: Core strength- *Russian twists *Crunches *Reverse crunches *Side bridges *Leg lifts Leg strength- *Squats *Lunges *Squat jumps *One legged squat (shoot the duck) *Spiral lifts (hold your leg up like how you hold it up for a spiral on ice) *Jump-roping and biking Flexibility: http://www.skating-wos.on.ca/sportsci/stretch.htm Hold each stretch for 30 seconds. Always warm up or you will tear something trying to stretch on cold muscles! Then that'll end any dreams of ice skating as a torn hamstring can put you off the ice for months. A good program is to do strength exercises, then bike, jump rope, or jog for at least 10 minutes, then stretch. I work on strength, off-ice jumps, and flexibility for 2-4 hours a day. To avoid getting bored holding stretches for 30 seconds, I place a book or magazine on the floor where I can see it, or I watch TV while stretching. You have to push yourself with strength training. If you can do 30 crunches, do 40 the next day. Jumpjumpjumpjump into the air till you touch the clouds. Build those jumping muscles! Get that skater's butt ;) You won't need to be really strong yet, not until you start doing more advanced things. Maybe do more chores around the house and try to get a job, or babysit, so you can contribute toward lessons and public skate time. Money~ You don't need fancy skate gear. Just wear leggings and a snug shirt. The only thing that a lot of money has to be spent on is skates, there is no getting cheap skates. Go on eBay to buy dresses or ask people at the rink if they have any they don't need anymore. Nor do you need an expensive Zuca bag or other accessories. All you need is skate guards, soakers, form fitting clothing & a good skate sharpener person. My rink offers a $35 dollar 'skate sharpenings' card that gives you 7 skate sharpenings. They usually cost $7 but with the card they cost $5. They have something similar for public skate. The only truly expensive things in ice skating are private lessons, skates, and competition fees, everything else, you can find an inexpensive version of. Good luck~!