Do you have to be really flexible to be able to do figure skating,,i been trying the biellmann off ice and i can do it quite well,, i have been doin some stretches to help me do the splits but do you NEED to be really flexible to do figure skating? :D
2007-09-26 05:37:54 · 13 answers · asked by ice_princess_lauren 2 in Sports ➔ Winter Sports ➔ Ice Skating
You don't have to be "really" flexible to be able to figure skate, but it does help. Certainly the more flexible you are, the more dramatic and spectacular your moves can be.
Keep in mind that in order to make flexibility work for you, you also need to work on STRENGTH. For instance, when you are doing the splits, you have the floor and your weight to keep your legs in that position . . . but you need strength to be able to do the splits without any resistance help . . . like for a spiral, Bielmann, or even split jumps.
It's good to work on stretches anyway - not just for flexibility, but for prevention of injuries. So keep stretching - from head to toe - for your health! And don't forget to work on strength!
And if I may add, as I am "older" . . .
Work on your flexibility when you're young and continue on with it. I was very flexible as a kid, but I stopped working on it in my teen years. Although I'm still pretty flexible as an adult, it took me a LONG time to get to regain anything and get to where I am now. Even though flexibility is not impossible, it's just harder when you get older. :)
Hope that helps!
2007-09-26 10:50:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
not super flexible, unless you are planning to do certain spins, spirals and elements that require good turnout (spread eagles..etc...). as long as you're pretty flexi then you can manage simple spirals and things.
stretching does improve the look of many things though so its a good idea to stretch every day; it also reduces the risk of injuring yourself.
congrats on the biellmann :) I'm working up to that.. by the sound of it you are already very flexible so you should be fine.
Happy Skating!
2007-09-26 17:20:38 · answer #2 · answered by <3 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well no not really. but you should at least have some flexibility in you cuz you might need to work on the long camel glide, or the beillmann spin, etc. but you don't need to be a gymnast to figure skate! well, i actually used to be a gymnast when i was like 8 or 9, but now i'm 12 and an ice skater with my own (nice/clean) riedell skates that i got for my 12th birthday, august 6th. so good luck with the skating!! :)
2007-09-26 20:35:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is not a need to be very flexible for skating. It certainly helps, and just skating helps gain more flexibility, but people get by without having to worry about being super flexible, guys wouldn't skate if you have to be super flexible to skate!Strength is more of a necessity to skate than flexibility.
2007-09-26 20:29:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope! You have to have some flexibility to do spirals and a few other moves, but you don't have to be Sasha Cohen-flexible. A Beillman spin is great to have if you are seriously competing at a higher level (because it gets you extra points), but otherwise isn't necessary. It's not on any of the testing levels at all!
The same goes for the moves that require lots of turnout (Ina Bauers, spread eagles). They're nice to have but not absolutely necessary. Besides, not everyone can get a Beillman or spread eagle without doing themselves major injury - some of us just aren't built like that ;)
2007-09-26 13:36:49 · answer #5 · answered by skategirl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am NOT flexible, but manage to skate at the pre-juv level! Yeah my spirals stink but I passed the spirals on novice moves and sure I won't be able to ever do a biellman but I love skating and thats all that really matters!
2007-10-03 21:43:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
u need to be fairly flexible to do figure skating but u dont need to be able to do a perfect split.
2007-09-29 17:41:34 · answer #7 · answered by angelpinkgal 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm not flexible at all .. and i'm a figure skater. but its really hard (you have to have confidence and courage to be a figure skater) ... but its easier if your more flexible.... because once i went ice skating with my gymnast friend and she was really good when i showed her some moves to do ... it was easy for her because she was more flexible
2007-09-29 16:32:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being flexible will help in the long run. You should strectch, and probably be able to do a split.
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2007-09-28 20:05:23 · answer #9 · answered by ♥ejfigskater♥ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kinda. To do some things you need lots of flexibillity (like lunges, and spirals) , but for others you don't really (like spins and some jumps)
But it's always best to be prepared.
Good Luck
2007-09-26 15:05:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋