Skating lessons

Question
QUESTION: I'm an overweight senior and desire private roller blade
lessons as a form of exercise.  Am I out of my mind or
is this doable?  Can you recommend an instructor?

ANSWER: Hi Maggie,
  There's a couple things I need to know before I can tell you if it's doable.

  Have you roller bladed before and if so, how well did you skate?   Have you roller skated before and if so, how well did you skate?

  If you are new to either bladiing or roller skating I would definitely not recommend learning on roller blades.  They are fast and the chances of you falling and getting hurt are pretty great.  

  If you were to learn on roller skates, they could at least slow the wheels down by tightening the nut on each wheel till you felt comfortable rolling......then they could loosen them up.

  Can I ask how old you are and do you have healthy bones?  Weight may not be as important as the other factors.  

  Send me a note back with answers to my questions and also tell me what town and state you live in.  I might be able to recommend a teacher or at least a rink for you to take lessons at.

  I'll wait for your answers.
Thanks
Pat

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have very little skating experience, none in recent
years.  I am 67 and as far as I know my bones are in very
good condition.  I am still working and I do my own
yard work even clean gutters on a 2 story home. So I'm
certainly not frail.  I agree with you about leaving off
the blades.  The bolt tightening certainly appeals to me
so if you can recommend a teacher, that would be great.
I live in Smyrna, but work in Marietta.  Thank you so
much for your help.

Answer
Hi Maggie,
  Thanks for the info. I agree, start with traditional roller skates then once you feel well balanced, then try the roller blades if you're still interested.  You can do and learn so much more with roller skates.  You can skate for your own pleasure and exercise or you can learn dances.  That will be your choice.

  When you first try it, try it without tightening your wheels down.  It may be easier than you think.  If you have a terrible time and fear getting hurt, ask the teach if they can slow the wheels down till you get use to it.  Also something very important.....before you start skating, go buy a pair of wrist guards for safety measures.  It's better to be safe than sorry.  All it takes is one hard fall to fracture or break a wrist.  They sell them at most sports stores and some of the rinks sell them too.  But DO NOT put the skates on until you have wrist guards to wear.

  Because I don't know the surrounding towns in your area try checking this web site.  Copy and paste it to your browser then scroll down to Georgia to see all the rinks listed for your state.  The links will take you to their web site.  Get a phone number then call to see if they offer adult classes or private lessons.  I did see a rink listed for Marietta.

    http://www.seskate.com/rinks/#CA

  Group lessons are far less expensive than private lessons but do what's best for you.  You may want to start with group lessons then once you're skating pretty well you may want to switch to private lessons for more one on one attention.

Good Luck.......I hope this information has useful.  If there's anything else I can help with, feel free to email me again.

Pat