Does roller skating burn more calories than running?
Noah Mitchell
Published Jan 24, 2026
You burn nearly as many calories on skates as you do running (for a 125-pound person, that's 210 calories inline skating for 30 minutes versus 240 calories running 12-minute miles for the same duration, according to Harvard Health Publications).
What burns more calories running or roller skating?
Calories Burned
On average, Rollerblading and running burns about the same amount of calories per hour. For example, a 160-lb. person who Rollerblades for one hour burns about 913 calories while that same person burns about 986 calories running at 8 mph.
Is roller skating good for weight loss?
In fact an hour of inline skating can burn up to 600 calories! As a cardiovascular activity it also gets your heart in shape. 30 minutes of roller skating can raise your heart rate to 148 beats per minute resulting in weight loss and a reduced risk of weight related ailments like heart disease and diabetes.
Does roller skating give abs?
Sit ups, crunches in particular, and bicycle sit-ups especially, target your abdominal muscles more than through the stabilising role they play in inline skating, but the skating activity burns more fat which is the key to a six-pack. Rollerblading may help you get abs sooner if you have a layer of fat to burn away.
Does roller skating slim thighs?
Although roller-skating can provide a rigorous fat-burning workout, aerobic activity alone won't help you trim excess fat from your legs. You should couple an exercise regimen with a sensible diet to shed the pounds. In addition, spot reducing is a myth.
18 related questions foundHow many calories do you burn roller skating for 30 minutes?
"If you're skating at moderate speed, you can burn about 250 calories in a 30-minute session; however, if you're speed skating, park skating, or dance skating, you can absolutely expect to see the calorie total higher." Hour-long rides that are more intense can burn around 600 calories, Meikle added.
What's a better workout running or rollerblading?
You burn nearly as many calories on skates as you do running (for a 125-pound person, that's 210 calories inline skating for 30 minutes versus 240 calories running 12-minute miles for the same duration, according to Harvard Health Publications).
Is roller skating better than walking for exercise?
Brisk walk = 222 calories. That's almost 100 calories more, or about 40% more calories burned while rollerblading over the same time period. Over two hours you'd burn 356 calories more.
How many calories do you burn roller skating for 1 hour?
Just one hour of moderate roller skating burns 330 calories for a 143-pound person. If that same person roller skates vigorously, he or she will burn up to 590 calories in an hour. The number of calories burned per hour while skating at 6 mph is 350 and 600 while skating at 10 mph.
Is roller skating good cardio?
Studies have shown that roller skating provides a complete aerobic workout and involves all of the body's muscles, especially the heart. Roller skating is equivalent to jogging in terms of health benefits and caloric consumption, reduction of body fat, and leg strength development.
Is roller skating better than rollerblading?
Rollerblades are better for longer distances because you go faster. You can go long distances too on roller skates, of course, but you may struggle to keep up. Roller skates might be easier for very young children, and feel more stable initially, but counter-intuitively blades can be easier to learn how to skate well.
Does rollerblading burn a lot of calories?
A person burns 550-700 calories per hour rollerblading at a recreational pace and 1000-1350 calories rollerblading at maximal effort.
Will rollerblading tone my legs?
Which muscles does roller skating work? Roller skating mostly works the muscles of your hips and legs. Your glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves will all get a good workout.
Is rollerblading good for runners?
Rollerblading can indeed help with your running. Not only does it help you strengthen body endurance, but also helps you improve your overall balance. It aids you to have a healthier heart and maintain weight at the same time. All of which can improve your overall health and stamina and so help with your running.
What exercise burns the most calories?
Running is the winner for most calories burned per hour. Stationary bicycling, jogging, and swimming are excellent options as well. HIIT exercises are also great for burning calories. After a HIIT workout, your body will continue to burn calories for up to 24 hours.
Is roller skating a full-body workout?
Roller skating is not only fun but it's also a low-impact, full-body activity that can make for a great workout. It works your legs and upper body, and can improve balance and coordination.
How many calories does 45 minutes of roller skating burn?
If you're wondering how many calories roller skating burns, here's the quick answer: A 180-pound person burns approximately 497 calories per hour roller skating. This is broken down to 124 calories after 15 minutes, 249 calories after 30 minutes, and 373 after 45 minutes of active roller skating.
Does rollerblading burn belly fat?
Roller skating is an efficient way to burn calories to help you burn fat, but no activity, including roller skating, can specifically burn just belly fat. The fat you burn as a result of this activity will be total body fat.
How many calories does rollerblading burn per mile?
With rollerblading you burn approximately 65 calories per mile. If you go faster (11 mph - 13 mph - 15 mph), the calorie consumption per hour will be higher. The calorie usage per mile will almost be the same. Someone weighing 180 pounds burns approximately 634 kilocalories per hour with Inline Skating.
What does rollerblading do for your body?
Rollerblading involves your lower back muscles, hips, buttocks and upper leg muscles. This kind of workout improves your balance and posture and helps to take the edge off your fatigue. Moreover, inline skating significantly lowers your risks of heart disease, which is a major cause of death all over the world (2).
Which is faster roller skates or blades?
Firstly, inline skates are probably the faster of the two, this is thanks to the wheels having a larger diameter. The larger wheels also offer a smoother ride across rough surfaces making them better for commuting too.
What's harder roller skating or ice skating?
Is it easier to roller blade or ice skate? Rollerblading is easier because the wheels are wider than the ice skate blade. Rollerblades also have a firm, hard-shell boot that help with stability.
Is roller skating the same as ice skating?
In roller skating, a person uses a pair of boots with attached wheels. This form of sport is performed over a smooth surface. On the contrary, in ice skating, a person uses a pair of shoes with attached metal blades to assist a smooth glide over a surface covered in ice.
How do I get in shape for roller skating?
Crush your roller skating goals with these 6 exercises from strength and conditioning pros
- Lateral lunges. ...
- Split squats. ...
- Banded hip exercises. ...
- Single-leg glute bridge. ...
- Balance board balances. ...
- Ab walkouts on skates.
What should I practice roller skating on?
5 essential practices to overcome fear and rollerskate smoothly (for beginners)
- Skates on TIGHTLY! ...
- Practice falling forward! ...
- Learn the Ready Position (statically) ...
- Ready Position rolling. ...
- Keep your speed low.