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Figure skating is a breathtaking and graceful sport that requires a combination of physical endurance and mental strength. To become an exceptional figure skater, you must possess unwavering determination and a flexibility that sets you apart from the rest. Beyond these qualities, the discipline to practice consistently and the resilience to rise after each fall or setback are key. Stay motivated: with the right preparation, training, and practice—whether on your own or with guidance—you’ll be well on your way to mastering the ice.
Steps
Starting Your Training Journey
Make the decision to begin. Whether you've been skating since childhood or have never even stepped onto the ice, it’s never too late to start. Don’t worry if you’re just beginning—you can make progress no matter where you are now. Many of today’s professional figure skaters started as young as four years old, once they could balance and understand basic instructions.
- If you’re older, don’t get discouraged. Some Olympic athletes began their journey as late as nine and still achieved remarkable success.
- For complete beginners, group lessons are a great, stress-free way to dip your toes into skating and see if it’s something you want to pursue further.
- If you already have some skating experience, try incorporating regular practice into your routine before moving on to private lessons. Committing to visiting the rink at least twice a week is a clear sign that you’re on the right track.
Dress for success. To excel at skating, you need the right gear—not just for looks, but to perform at your best. Dress in layers to accommodate the temperature swings that happen during practice. Ice is cold, but the exercise will warm you up. Stretchy, form-fitting clothes will allow you to move freely while practicing.
- When purchasing ice skates, try on several pairs from different brands. Don’t settle until you find a pair that feels comfortable and secure.
- If your skates feel too stiff, wear extra socks until they break in. New skates can be tough at first, but they will soften over time.
- If your skates are a good fit but cause blisters, cover the problem spots with moleskin or bandages to protect your skin.
- Make sure to use blade guards to protect your skates from damage, and soakers to prevent rusting on the blades.
- Don’t wear your skates around the house. The motions of walking and skating are different and could damage your skates.
- Special figure-skating tights that match your skin tone are available, but you won’t need them until you start competing.
- Avoid jeans or long skirts during practice; they can restrict your movements. Stick to tight-fitting clothes for safety and comfort.
- If you have long hair, tie it up in a bun or ponytail. A headband is also a good option to keep stray hairs out of your face.
Master the basics. Once you've grasped the basic techniques in class or through self-study, it’s time to practice them solo. Your local or national figure skating organization likely provides a list of essential skills to work on, ranked from easiest to hardest. Here are a few key skills to focus on:
- Practice basic forward and backward strokes. Switch directions smoothly until you can flow seamlessly between both.
- Try gliding on each foot alternately. You may find it easier to balance on one foot than the other—keep practicing until both legs are equally stable.
- Work on your crossovers, where you cross one foot over the other to build speed. This move is similar to the "grapevine" step in walking and is crucial for approaching jumps in the future.
Choose a qualified coach. To compete at a high level, it’s essential to seek guidance from someone who has experience. Ask fellow skaters for coach recommendations or search online for instructors who specialize in figure skating. Choose a coach whose experience and teaching style align with your goals and personality.
Create a practice routine. Consider when and how often you’d like to visit the rink. This will depend on factors like how many lessons you have, rink availability, and your other weekly obligations. Aim for at least two practice sessions per week.
- Once you’ve decided how often you want to practice, consult with your parent or guardian—or anyone who helps you get to the rink—to finalize a schedule that works for everyone.
- If you’re unsure about your practice frequency, ask your coach for advice. For example, you can say, "I want to prepare for a state competition—what should I focus on, and how often should I be practicing?"
Learn how to fall properly. Falling is a natural part of learning to skate, even for top athletes. Instead of feeling discouraged, focus on getting back up. Falling means you’re pushing yourself, which is an important step in growth.
- If you sense a fall coming, lean slightly forward and drop to one knee to minimize the impact. You can also try to soften your fall with your hands if possible.
- If the fall catches you by surprise, just aim to make it as gentle as you can.
Building Your Physical Strength
Incorporate both cardio and strength training. While practicing your skating is crucial, supplementing it with other types of exercises can help you build more strength and stamina. Even if you're not fond of gym workouts, there are plenty of exercises that can help you improve.
- Running boosts lung capacity and strengthens your joints. If you're a frequent runner, be sure to stretch properly afterward.
- Yoga and Pilates are great for strengthening your core and improving flexibility.
- With the guidance of a qualified trainer, weight training can also be beneficial for enhancing your power.
Practice balance exercises. These exercises will improve your core strength and stabilize your lower body. The best part? You don’t need any equipment, and you can do them at home. Begin by standing with your feet at hip-width and shoulders squared, then follow these steps:
- Lift one knee until it aligns with your hip.
- Slowly move your raised foot back and lower your upper body into an arabesque, creating a T-shape with your body—one leg remains grounded, and the other extends behind you.
- Return your lifted foot to the starting knee position.
- Repeat 10 times before switching legs. You can practice this multiple times a day if it feels comfortable.
Use a balance or Bosu ball. This exercise tool, a large hemisphere with a hard plastic bottom, is perfect for improving balance. Skaters and athletes alike use balance balls in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas to try:
- Place your feet about two feet away from the balance ball. Lunge forward so that your front foot is placed on top of the ball. Hold for a moment, then step back and repeat. Be mindful not to extend your knee past your foot during the lunge. Repeat 8-12 times, then switch sides.
- Start in a lunge position, then bring your back leg forward to meet your front leg. To improve stability, you can place your fists on your hips. Push your back leg out again and return to the starting position, then repeat.
Stretch regularly. Flexibility is just as important as strength, so make a habit of stretching before and after every workout, and even during downtime. You can stretch while watching TV or during short breaks. Your coach or gym teacher likely has their own go-to stretches, but here are a few classic ones:
- To stretch your hamstrings (the muscles at the back of your thighs), sit with one leg extended. Bend the other leg so its knee touches the floor and its foot rests on your opposite knee. Lean toward your extended foot.
- For your quadriceps (the muscles at the front of your thighs), stand on one leg, and bend the opposite leg backward to hold your foot. If balancing is tough, engage your core for support.
- To stretch your arms and shoulders, clasp your hands behind your back. Flatten your palms toward the floor and straighten your elbows.
Maintain a routine. Just like you follow a set practice schedule for skating, you should also create a consistent conditioning routine. Aim to work on your conditioning twice a week. Be sure to listen to your body—don’t push yourself too hard if you're exhausted. And remember: always do your extra conditioning exercises after your skating session, not before it.
Don’t forget to stay hydrated. As a figure skater, you’re an athlete, and all that fast movement on the ice will make you sweat. While the cold may not make you feel thirsty, it’s still crucial to drink plenty of water. Try keeping a 32-ounce water bottle filled with room-temperature water on hand, so you stay hydrated without being startled by cold water when you're working hard.
Becoming Competitive
Define your goals. If you’re improving in your skating and mastering the basics, it’s time to think about where you want to go next. Grab a piece of paper and ask yourself:
- Do I want to compete? If so, what level am I aiming for?
- Am I ready to focus all my efforts on skating, even if it means cutting back on other sports?
- What level of commitment can I realistically make? What limitations do my family and I have (for example, your sibling may only be able to drive you to the rink once a week, or private lessons might be out of your budget)?
Keep practicing. Even with a fantastic coach, it’s important to continue refining your personal skills. A general guideline is to practice for 30 minutes for every 15 minutes of coaching. Don’t let plateaus discourage you—they’re a natural part of the learning process. With continuous effort, you’ll continue to improve.
- Remember to take at least one rest day per week. Your body needs time to recover.
Create an off-ice practice space at home. If you can’t make it to the rink, setting up a practice area at home will allow you to work on challenging moves and hopefully improve! Consider using the basement or garage, but make sure you have permission first.
- Gymnastics mats are great for practicing jumps. (Avoid wearing your skates to prevent damage.) If you don’t have mats, any soft surface will do for practicing your moves.
- Use painter’s tape to mark a spot on the floor, then practice your spins and jumps using it as your reference point. After completing your trick, check to see if you moved too much.
- Continue stretching regularly.
Participate in competitions. To compete at higher levels, you’ll likely need to pass several skating tests. The specifics will vary depending on where you are, but professional coaching, consistent practice, fitness, and flexibility are non-negotiable. Different competitions may have slightly varying criteria, but they will all demand hard work and dedication.
- Your coach and rink can help you find competitions, and these are usually listed on your national or local figure skating association’s website.
- With your coach, you’ll create a routine that highlights your strengths and challenges you to learn new skills.
- Remember: If you don’t succeed the first time, don’t be discouraged. No one wins every time—what matters is that you keep practicing and giving your best effort.
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Listen carefully to your coach’s feedback. They can identify issues that you might not notice as they watch your performance.
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Your experience as a dancer can be beneficial to your skating as well.
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Never use your hands to try and stop your fall—it can lead to wrist injuries. Stay safe and fall properly.
Important Warnings
- Don’t rush into attempting advanced tricks. Instead, seek guidance from a coach and gradually work your way up to more difficult moves.
- Don’t ignore advice or tips from other skaters. They may offer helpful insights based on their own experiences.
