We do physical activities for several reasons. Among them, the most common goal is toned and healthier bodies. This idea also applies to skateboarding. Besides getting better at the sport, we skate because we want to enhance our overall strength and endurance.
So, what muscles does skateboarding work? Read the article and find out. Knowing about them will not only help us set expectations while skating. We will also learn what fibers to treat in case of injuries.
Table of Contents
Muscles Used in Skateboarding
Let’s see what skateboarding physical fitness components are most active when we glide, jump, and do tricks with our skateboards.
1. Core muscles
Remember when we get reminded to lower our cores when doing a specific skill?
The core consists of our abdominal, hip, and backbone muscles. Lowering this area helps us obtain balance. And as we find stability, we also build muscle strands in our abdomen and other parts surrounding it.
People on Reddit who do tricks on skateboards will agree that the core is one area that works a lot.
2. Quad muscles
The quadriceps or quads are the second set of muscles we work out when skateboarding for exercise. These fibers sit on the front of our thighs. Yes, they are the ones that often ache during and after a long skating day.
The quads run from the hips down to the knees and are responsible for maintaining flexibility in these areas. So, in any skateboarding move that requires movement of the knees, it’s the quads that work the most.
3. Hamstring muscles
The skateboarding muscles behind the quads are the hamstrings. These fibers run from the pelvis down to the back of your knees.
The hamstrings do most of the work when performing lunges. And we can attest that the same muscles are in action while skateboarding. The reason is we tend to bend our knees up and down, whether for tricks or casual cruising.
4. Gluteus Maximus
These muscles are also vital for a skater’s stability. The Gluteus Maximus works during movements that see our hips extend. And while in motion, these muscles maintain our balance as we push, kick, and glide on surfaces.
What’s better about these muscles is they support the rider in moving at high speeds.
5. Lower legs
Of course, we can’t forget one of the first body parts that deal with vibrations, the lower legs.
Lower leg muscles work when we extend our knees or lean on our heels. When stretching the knee, these fibers come in support of the quads or the tissues above it.
Additionally, they provide support when shifting our weight and turning the board.
6. Arms and shoulders
While it’s true that the muscles in our lower extremities do most of the work when skateboarding for fitness, they are not the only fibers in action.
Do you notice your arms swinging when pushing? Or do you find your shoulders vital when balancing on the skateboard? These are only a few instances that work our muscles in these areas.
Not everyone recognizes this fact, but if you are a skater who likes to do advanced tricks, you will appreciate how these muscles work on your rides.
If you don’t want to make one leg bigger than the other, swap the front foot to apply the same training intensity on both sides of your body.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get abs from skateboarding?
Yes! But skateboarding cardio may not be the most efficient way to build abs. As for how many hours you should skate, we can’t guarantee because different skateboard moves have varying levels of core utilization.
How many calories does skateboarding burn?
To give a generous estimate, skateboarding for an hour can burn calories of around 400 at the least. And at maximum, your calorie loss could spike up to as high as 600.
But like developing abs from this sport, your total calorie and weight loss will still depend on factors like the skateboarder body type or intensity of movements.
Can skateboarding make you lose weight?
Skateboarding is a good exercise overall. If calorie burns happen when skateboarding, it’s certainly possible for us to shed some pounds, provided that we don’t overeat to make up for the energy loss.
One reason why a skateboarding workout is perfect is that we don’t feel much stress when skating. Instead, it gives fun and enjoyment to the skater. Getting fit will only be a subsequent benefit.
Conclusion
Skateboarding helps us make friends and push the limits of the human body. While getting fit is only one benefit of constant skating, we can’t deny that it makes us feel much better.
Specifically, we feel happy because we get toned muscles and better cardiovascular health.
So, what muscles does skateboarding work? The answer is the core, quads, hamstrings, buttocks, and lower leg muscles. Plus, we also enhance our shoulders and arms as we support our other movements.
With these benefits, skateboarding is definitely a quality workout program.
Hi, I am Charles Harris. I opened this site to write as much as I can about my biggest passion – skateboarding!
I started as a clumsy yet passionate rookie 10 years ago to now a still passionate yet much better skateboarder! But I have to tell you, the whole journey has always been fun and rewarding, indeed not without hardship.