Personal experience: Can a scooter replace the gym? Rules for riding a scooter Correct positioning of your feet on a scooter

The scooter is becoming more and more popular and is increasingly seen on the streets of Vladimir. Klyuch-Media journalist Katya Chushikina uses a scooter to travel around the city. Can it also serve as a fitness tool? We figured this out together with the instructor of the Pride Fitness club Andrey Voronov.

Andrey Voronov (instructor at the Pride Fitness fitness club):

“The main benefit of a scooter is that a person learns to maintain balance. When moving on a scooter, the gluteus maximus, minimus and medius muscles work. There is also a load on the leg muscles (quadriceps and hamstrings) and stabilizing muscles.”

I try to get on the scooter and feel how they work. Seeing how I place my foot, Andrey makes a remark:

“It is very important not to straighten the knee on the supporting leg. Otherwise it will be destroyed. Therefore, the supporting leg should always be in tension. And it is this static load that, if you periodically change your leg, brings benefits. Firstly, a person develops both legs equally. Secondly, the even load straightens the spine a little.”

I am primarily interested in the question of whether it is possible to increase the load while riding a scooter. Andrey Voronov gives his recommendations:

“The simplest thing you can do to increase the load is to go uphill. You can also learn to do tricks on some scooters. By the way, there are whole competitions in this direction. There the guys perform acrobatic elements, and the scooter is not inferior to the more common skateboards and bicycles in our country. This is serious physical training.

When you have to carry a scooter in your hands, under no circumstances should you hunch over or tilt your body towards the scooter. But, in my opinion, it is not very convenient to carry. If the scooter is foldable, then you can use it as a dumbbell (smiles), however, it is not too heavy. But despite this, carrying it will be a good load for girls.

Then Andrey took the scooter in his hands and assessed its weight. And then I tried to ride myself.

“I would not recommend a scooter for overweight people. Because it is difficult for them to maintain balance, and any fall can lead to serious injuries. It is better for people with cardiovascular diseases and diseases that affect balance to avoid using a scooter.

I have a very positive attitude towards any sports: scooter, skateboard, bicycle. It seems to me that it is best to ride a scooter in a group. Get together in a park or other area and spend time not only having fun, but also usefully. And sometimes you can ride it indoors. I have a friend who works in a large office in Moscow. To move around a large area faster and more conveniently, he rides a scooter. I was once at Sheremetyevo airport. This is where a scooter would clearly come in handy for me (smiles). It would be possible to give them out altogether: I picked them up in one department, arrived, left them in another and moved on.”

Let's not make things intriguing and let you know right away: learning to ride a two-wheeled electric scooter is not required! Since the driver stands with one foot on the platform and the center of gravity is not shifted anywhere, maintaining balance is quite simple (perhaps easier than on any other individual vehicle with two wheels). That is, we can say that every person has been able to do this since childhood. And as proof, let’s cite the fact that any child gets on a scooter almost instantly!

This skill is just as easy for adults. Since our online store has a large showroom with a testing ground for testing electric scooters before purchasing, we have seen thousands of beginners who stood on the platform for the first time and after a few seconds rode around the site quite confidently. So we responsibly declare: absolutely everyone Human will be able to go on an electric scooter literally right away!

And for those who would still like to prepare as much as possible for the first trip or want to receive theoretical information on some nuances, we have prepared a short questionnaire with answers.

Here we collect the main questions that people are most interested in before their first ride on a scooter with an electric motor and give our brief but comprehensive recommendations. The result is a kind of FAQ for those who don’t know how to ride yet, but want to learn:

How dangerous and difficult is it to learn to ride an electric scooter?
The training is absolutely safe, since the driver can literally stop driving and dismount at any second. Operating a scooter is very simple, and learning to ride is much easier than riding a bicycle.

How should you get up and what should you do to go?
To start moving, the driver must place one foot on the platform (closer to the steering wheel) on the side of the leading hand, after first grasping the handles of the scooter. The second foot remains on the road (opposite the center of the platform or closer to the rear wheel or). Feeling body position: straight or slightly tilted forward (it should be quite relaxed, but ready to quickly react and shift the center of gravity). To make the scooter roll, just push off and place your pushing foot on the footrest. During a planned stop or if a sudden dismount is necessary, it must be put back on the road.

What speed is best to learn at?
To start, of course, you should choose a low speed (for example, 20 km/h). If a newbie gets it for training, it is recommended to limit the speed of the new recruit to a minimum. After just a few attempts, this restriction can be removed (as soon as the person “feels” the device).

Which scooter is easier to learn to ride?
It doesn’t matter at all whether it’s oversized or heavy or light, ultra-modern or a “deserved old man”, whether it has newfangled technological innovations (such as an information monitor, recovery, depreciation, etc.) or not. To gain the skill of driving an electric scooter, none of this matters. Just get on the scooter and feel the freedom of movement on two-wheeled electric transport, and then decide on the equipment!
And if anything happens, we will always be happy to advise! Your Rusamokat. ru

Find out how to ride a scooter correctly to get not only the pleasure of riding, but also the benefits for your body.

Does riding a scooter benefit your body?

Of course, there are benefits and quite impressive ones. This is especially true for children and representatives of the fair half of humanity. Let's start with the fact that riding a scooter helps strengthen the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and also has a positive effect on the musculoskeletal system. In modern life, any physical activity is welcome. Many people of different ages spend a lot of time in offices at work, and at home they sit in front of the TV and computer.

When you ride a scooter in the fresh air, your lungs work at full capacity. As a result, the blood is well saturated with oxygen, which is then delivered to all tissues of the body. Scooter rides can be very beneficial for heavy smokers who need to detoxify their lungs. Do not forget that such walks perfectly strengthen the immune system.

A scooter is an excellent means of preventing varicose veins of the lower extremities, since the main load falls on the legs. All this helps improve blood flow and eliminates congestion in the blood vessels. If a person suffers from vegetative-vascular dystonia, then walking on a scooter helps strengthen the vestibular apparatus.

Scientists are confident that this vehicle is useful for men in terms of preventing diseases such as adenoma and prostatitis. This is due to increased blood flow in the pelvic area. Great news for the fair half of humanity will be the scooter’s ability to improve lipolysis processes. If you regularly take walks on a scooter, you can actively burn fat deposits. Even daily rides of half an hour can help you shed a few pounds and strengthen your muscles.

Ophthalmology experts also talk about the benefits of walking on this vehicle. While driving a scooter, a person peers at objects located at a considerable distance. This is an excellent workout for the eye muscles and thus prevents a decrease in visual acuity. Scooter rides are no less useful for the nervous system. Every walk brings a lot of positive emotions. Physical activity also has a positive effect on the nervous system.

Let's compare scooter walking with other popular cardio exercises:

Bike- during cycling, only the legs are actively involved in the work, which leads to disproportions in muscle development.
Run- an excellent type of physical activity, but it has the ability to overload the joints and spinal column.

Rules for riding a scooter

To get the most out of riding this vehicle, we recommend following a few simple rules:

Don't go for a walk immediately after eating.
The active phase must alternate with rest.
Before starting a walk, you should stretch your joints to avoid injury.
Classes must be regular.

Advantages of a scooter

When the child grows up. Many parents can't decide. What to buy for your child - a bicycle right away or start with a scooter. We have already talked about whether riding a scooter is beneficial. Let's look at the advantages of this vehicle:

It will help in the physical development of the child - the scooter improves the performance of the articular-ligamentous joint and has a positive effect on the health of the spinal column. If only your legs work actively during cycling, then the scooter also uses your abdominal muscles. Since you have to constantly change the pushing leg, the load is distributed evenly. Due to the absence of a saddle, there are no negative aspects such as numbness, microtrauma and deterioration of blood flow.
Smaller sizes and absence of pedals - even if a child falls from a scooter, he is guaranteed not to receive serious injuries.
If a serious obstacle arises on the way, you can quickly jump off the scooter. And it’s much easier to roll it next to you compared to a bicycle.
You don't need a lot of space to store your vehicle.
You can ride a scooter on the sidewalk without creating emergency situations. You can reach high speeds on a bicycle, which is unsafe for all road users.
Walking can be done even in cold weather - warm clothes are not a serious obstacle to walking, because in the absence of pedals there is nothing to catch on.
The sense of balance improves - scientists have proven that regular walks on a scooter contribute to the development of spatial thinking and improve coordination. After using a scooter, your child will quickly learn to ride a two-wheeled bicycle.
Today you can buy scooters for adults and go on fun rides with the whole family.
You can have fun with a scooter by arranging various competitions.

What muscles work when riding a scooter?

Regular walks on a scooter allow you to develop the following muscles:

You will qualitatively pump up your quadriceps and calves, which will improve the shape of your thigh and lower leg.
The muscles of the buttocks are actively involved in the work.
Improve your hamstring stretch, making it more flexible and mobile.
By following the skating technique, you can strengthen your abdominal and back muscles.

Since you have to squat to push off, almost all the muscles of the lower extremities are involved in the work. So that the load is distributed evenly. It is necessary to alternate the pushing leg. We recommend doing this every 5–15 minutes. Scientists say that the load on the jogging leg while moving on a scooter corresponds to running, but at the same time the joints are spared the negative impact. To maintain the correct body position, you have to actively use the abdominal and back muscles.

As we said above, regular walks on this vehicle contribute to rapid weight loss. If you move at a speed of 18 kilometers per hour, then for every kilo of body weight you burn about 0.765 kJ of energy. For comparison, at the same speed of cycling, the energy consumption will be only 0.46 kJ. This means that to lose weight with the same effectiveness, you need to ride your bike almost twice as fast. Energy consumption while riding a scooter is similar to swimming.

How to choose the right scooter?

Not all people know that today you can find a large number of models on sale. All of them can be divided into two large groups - footbikes and scooters. If everything is clear enough with the second group, then it’s worth saying a few words about footbikes. This vehicle is used in professional sports for high-speed driving. They are large in size and equipped with large inflatable wheels in the style of bicycles.

Types of scooters

All scooters can be classified according to several parameters. Depending on the riding method, there are stunt scooters and city scooters. There is also a gradation depending on the purpose. However, let's look at this issue in more detail.

Stunt scooters- it’s already clear from the name that they are designed for driving fast and performing difficult tricks. The main design feature of stunt scooters is their awkward design and small wheels.
City scooters- used for transportation in the city, most often it has durable wheels and a folding design. Such scooters are perfect for children and adults for walking together.

Three-wheeled scooters are intended for children aged one to three years. For the little ones, you can purchase a vehicle with a plastic frame. Since these scooters are designed for children, they have bright colors, various stickers, bells, lighting and even music. For emergency stopping, three-wheeled scooters are most often equipped with a hand brake.

When choosing a vehicle in this category, pay attention to the wheels. If they are large, maneuverability increases significantly and it becomes possible to overcome difficult sections of the road. The only drawback of three-wheeled scooters is the need for additional storage space.

Two-wheeled scooters are designed for children aged four years and older, and are also suitable for adults. Today, most of these models have a folding design and are lightweight. The height of the steering wheel can be adjusted. And large wheels provide high maneuverability. Scooters made of metal are of the highest quality. Most often, the braking system is located on the rear wheel and you need to pay special attention to this issue.

Scooters with inflatable wheels are distinguished by their high cross-country ability compared to the designs discussed above. You can use them for walking not only in the city, but also on light rough terrain. Also, weather conditions do not have a serious impact on the possibility of travel. High-speed scooter models are equipped with large wheels. They are also distinguished by the presence of a braking system not only at the rear, but also at the front.

When choosing a scooter, you should consider the width of the deck (footrest) to make your ride as comfortable as possible. If this element of the scooter is too wide, the overall speed of movement will noticeably decrease. You should also take into account the length of the deck, because this parameter also affects the speed characteristics of the vehicle.

And the last important parameter of the deck is height. The larger it is, the more difficult it will be to push off, and you will quickly get tired. At the end of the conversation about the deck, let’s note how to attach it:

One-piece- the deck and frame are a monolithic structure.
Flexible- the deck is fixed between the metal bases of the frame.
On frame- the deck is located on top of a metal frame.

Of course, the safety of movement largely depends on the wheels. Pay attention to the quality of their manufacture. The diameter of the wheels of city scooters ranges from 15 to 200 millimeters. Don't forget to check the design of the bearings used. The most reliable and convenient are those devices that have an index of 7 or 9.

For more information about the rules and benefits of riding a scooter, watch the video below:

A scooter is an excellent means of transportation, interesting entertainment and a multifunctional exercise machine for the body. It is for this reason that skating is recommended for both adults and children of all ages. You can drive this vehicle for as long as you like, it all depends only on the individual characteristics of the body, in particular, endurance. In this article we will talk about how to ride a scooter correctly so that it goes like this.

Scooter - learn to ride correctly!

In order to master a roller skate, you will have to try a lot, but it is worth it, because it is an excellent alternative to a bicycle for both children and adults.

Interesting fact! Riding a scooter burns more calories per hour than riding a bicycle: 45.6 kJ per 1 kg of a person’s weight, at a speed of 17-18 km/h.

How to prepare for using a scooter for an adult and a child?

Of course, before you ride a scooter, you need to prepare, because no one is immune from sudden falls, especially during the first attempts to drive. But after you or your child has mastered basic skills, a sense of confidence will prevent you from falling. Therefore, experts always advise purchasing additional protective equipment. Protective equipment for roller skates is ideal, namely:

Riding styles

There are many styles of roller skating: from simple and easy to learn for both adults and children to extreme ones that require certain skills and practice. In general, there are more than twenty styles, but the main ones are:

The most common types of riding are presented above, all others are subtypes of data.

Skating rules

Before teaching your child to ride a two-wheeled scooter, it is advisable to first purchase a three-wheeled model. The fact is that it is equipped with a special steering wheel, which makes it possible to turn by tilting. It will be much easier for children to master this type, and then move on to a two-wheeled one. The first attempts should be made in a safe area, for example, in a house.

If you decide to learn, then the following basic tips on how to ride a scooter correctly will help you:

Learning to brake and turn

Driving the roller skate in a straight line is quite easy, but problems can arise when turning. The main thing is to remember not to turn sharply. You need to slow down before turning, and then carefully turn the steering wheel and continue driving.

The brake should be highlighted separately, since not all models are equipped with a braking system. Before purchasing a unit, you should definitely clarify this point. Typically the brake is located at the rear and is pressed with the pushing foot. Nowadays, models with a manual brake system are becoming increasingly popular - a convenient device, especially for children.

How often should I change my leg?

When riding a scooter for a long time, painful sensations appear in the knee area of the supporting leg, and your back may also hurt. To avoid such situations, experts recommend changing the leg every 15-20 minutes.

Features of using scooters with large wheels

Increasingly, roller skates with wheels varying between 180-230 mm appear on store shelves. They have many advantages, such as:

Developing greater speed. Fans of windy skiing will definitely love this option.
Ability to move over uneven terrain with bumps, hummocks, etc.
If the wheels are rubber, then you can be sure that the ride will be smooth, but keep in mind that such wheels can puncture.
Great maneuverability is a distinctive feature of this type of transport, especially with a low platform.

You should be very careful when riding a scooter with large wheels, as they quickly develop speed and in this condition it is difficult to control the vehicle, especially on slopes, so avoid hills, at least at first. It is also advisable to note that you will have a hard time climbing the mountain; be patient, because a lot of effort will be spent.

What troubles can you encounter?

When using a scooter, inexperienced users may encounter some troubles, but it is better to be notified of them before this happens. So, the most common problems for fans of rollerblading:

Slow motion. Trying to pick up speed, you realize that something is clearly preventing you from doing so. An obstacle to acceleration is the incorrect selection of bearings or lack of lubrication.
Aching pain in the knees or lower back. This problem is discussed above.
Shaking and swaying. The problem here is reliability. You cannot skimp on the quality of the vehicle, since a novice rider may simply not be able to control it or fall due to the fact that the wheel is constantly tilted. Be sure to test the scooter before purchasing.
The vehicle skids left/right. Balance and control skills come into play here. You or your child may not be accustomed to this type of transport, so at first there will be problems with the management, but with practice this will pass.

Is it possible to ride in the rain?

Riding in the rain is a dubious pleasure, because after the trip you will have to wash your clothes and shoes from dirt. But the greatest danger is from falls that occur in the rain. The fact is that on wet asphalt, the adhesion of polyurethane to asphalt is greatly reduced, and since the wheels most often have a U-shaped profile, sharp turns become very dangerous.

A scooter is not only a means of transportation available for use by adults and children, but also an excellent tool for maintaining health, muscle tone and youth. Riding a scooter is of particular value for women and small children - during the ride, almost all muscle groups are involved, and the legs and lower back receive special beneficial loads. In addition, the respiratory and cardiovascular systems are actively working - when moving, the blood is more efficiently saturated with oxygen and transported through the vessels.

Particular benefit for children

As mentioned earlier, riding a scooter is beneficial not only for adults, but also for children. In particular, the following positive effects are observed:

Development of attention and stimulation of the vestibular apparatus. When riding a scooter, a child learns to quickly switch attention from one object to another, concentrate and carefully think through his movements. Frequent switching between points has a positive effect not only on attention, but also on eye health.
Development of dexterity and dexterity. While riding a scooter, the baby is forced to balance so as not to lose balance. Thus, he learns to stay in space correctly, and his gait and posture are steadily improving.
Improving the functioning of the musculoskeletal system. This primarily concerns the leg muscles. The muscles involved include the tensor fasciae lata, quadriceps, lower tendons, and numerous other large and small groups.

Another undeniable advantage of riding a scooter is the development of the child’s respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Even short daily walks can help stimulate your breathing and have a positive impact on your health. And these are not all good moments.

Scooter riding styles

There are many styles in which you can ride a scooter. There are both simple and accessible to everyone (including children), and more complex ones to master. The most common types of scooter riding are presented below:

Walking (urban). The most common and simplest type. It’s enough to push off and go forward - that’s the whole style. The safest, most accessible and ideal driving style for children of all ages is this vehicle.
Carving. Provides a ride with successive sharp turns. Not suitable for small children, but older kids can try this style. You can independently design routes of any complexity.
Tryukova. A riding style well suited for teenagers and adults, for which you need to purchase a special stunt scooter. The most spectacular skating, breathtaking stunts and adrenaline are the best characteristics of this style.

Above are just the basic styles. On the roads and in special parks you can find other improvised types, complex and simple. One of them is freestyle.

Rules for riding a scooter

Has your child taken his first steps? You can buy him a small three-wheeled model and carefully and slowly begin to teach him to ride it, and after mastering it, move on to a two-wheeled model. It’s worth starting with a three-wheeled model, since they are equipped with a special steering wheel - to turn it you need to tilt it, not twist it. This makes the task easier for young children who are not yet able to steer independently. To begin with, it is advisable to drive around the apartment or other safe place, and then go outside.

A common question that worries many: at what age can you ride a scooter? And is it even possible to ride a scooter? You can ride a scooter from the time your child begins to walk confidently. At first, as practice shows, children simply “roll” the scooter, look closely at it, tune in and take the first step, the first push with their foot. How to learn to ride a scooter, of course, should be shown the first time by a parent, mom or dad, how to do this in order to ride a scooter correctly. It is not uncommon for a child to already be 1.5 years old and confident in the primitive technique of riding a scooter. So it’s not only possible to ride a scooter, but it’s also necessary to get all the benefits that were described above, from at least 2 years old!

The side on which you should stand on the platform depends on which hand is the dominant one. After the choice is made, you need to firmly grasp the steering wheel with both hands, rest one foot on the platform closer to its front edge, and place the second foot on the asphalt slightly behind or opposite the supporting one (depending on how convenient it is).
The tilt of the body must be chosen so that it is comfortable to ride. In some cases it is better to lean forward slightly, in others it is better to keep the body straight. It is not recommended to lean back - this has a bad effect on balance and can cause a fall.
To start moving, you need to push off the surface with your foot - the scooter will move!

Getting started on a scooter is quite simple, but how to brake and turn correctly? To turn, you need to smoothly turn the steering wheel in the desired direction. It is important not to make sudden movements, especially at high speed - this can lead to loss of control and subsequent fall. Braking is also easy - usually there is a brake installed at the back of the scooter, which you press with your pushing foot. Some models are equipped with a hand brake, the lever of which is installed on the handlebar of the scooter.

Do you need to move your feet when riding? Yes need! This is necessary in order to reduce the load on one leg and ride longer without getting tired. You can switch your legs either by jumping or by standing with both legs on the platform at the same time and changing the leading leg. It is recommended to rearrange after 3-4 pushes, but this depends on convenience.

Teaching young children to ride

Small children require a special approach. Training begins with choosing a scooter that is convenient for him. It is necessary to choose models of classic shapes (without non-standard platform shapes) and pay special attention to three-wheeled models with one wheel at the back. The most acceptable option is a scooter with one wheel at the back and two at the front.

We stock up on patience, take a scooter and a child and go for a walk. You can start in an apartment, if it is large enough and the surrounding environment is not dangerous. Let your child determine which foot is comfortable for him to push off with. Show how to stand on the platform, where exactly you need to place your supporting and pushing legs (this is discussed above).

When your child is confidently standing on the scooter, begin to slowly push him forward. During this time, let the little driver get used to his body position, remember exactly how to maintain balance, and learn to avoid small obstacles (show him exactly how to tilt or turn the steering wheel to avoid objects).

The final stage is the child riding a scooter independently. Make sure that when pushing off, he regularly moves his legs, maintains correct posture and does not develop too much speed. Take care in advance to reinforce the right habits so that in the future it will be comfortable for your child to ride without your supervision.

We provide security

In order to fall as safely as possible for your health, you need to learn how to do it. It sounds strange, but it is true. A correct fall looks like this: landing on your knees (which must be protected by knee pads) with your arms bent at the elbows (with elbow pads). Under no circumstances should you put your arms straight forward - in this case, the likelihood of a fracture sharply increases.

A child riding a scooter must wear protective equipment. The minimum required set includes knee pads, elbow pads and a helmet. Make sure your child does not gain excessive speed and turns correctly.

Scooter records in numbers

After you have confidently learned to ride a scooter, if you wish, you can start setting any goals related to riding a scooter. For example, it could be riding a scooter at speed, or at maximum distance, or maybe just filigree ownership and control of a scooter?

But what kind of records can you set and what should you strive for?

The maximum speed that can be reached on a scooter while moving in a straight line depends on a number of factors: the diameter of the wheels, the material of the wheels, the lightness of the scooter and the weight of the rider. On a regular city scooter with 200 mm wheels. You can easily reach a speed of 30-35 km/h. This is the result of driving the A5 Lux, tested by us. Although we are confident that it is possible to reach speeds of up to 40 km/h.

How far can you travel on a scooter? Again, everything is individual. You can travel at least 5-10 km a day, moving exclusively in the home-metro-work mode and back. But if you look at this issue from a sporting point of view, you can drive up to 70-80 km a day! We have reviews from owners of the A5 Lux city scooter, which they rode around Moscow for exactly that amount a day! This is a colossal result that requires a lot of preparation and refined technique for riding a scooter. There is something to strive for! But if you go into simple mathematics, then in 10 daytime hours, when riding a scooter at an average speed of 15 km/h, you can travel as much as 150 km, and this is almost the distance from Moscow to Tver!

In one summer season, which can last 7-9 months, the average scooter rider can travel about 2500-3000 km if he is really passionate about it. And this is already approximately equal to five distances from Moscow to St. Petersburg!

The scooter is also an excellent tool for losing weight, as all key muscle groups and the respiratory system work. For example, a person weighing 80 kg, riding a scooter for 1 hour burns up to 480 Kcal! Just one hour a day, and what a result! If you want to lose weight or just keep fit, this can be a great motivator.

Conclusion

You can ride a scooter for as long as you like - it all depends on the individual characteristics of the body, in particular, endurance. A scooter is an excellent means of transportation, interesting entertainment and a multifunctional exercise machine for the body. It is for this reason that riding a scooter is recommended for both adults and children of all ages.