She isn't alone. According to the United States Figure Skating Association, most new skaters learning to swizzle and spin aren't 6-year-old Michelle Kwan wannabes, but adults seeking a path to fitness.
Garland, who has been skating for five years, used to get overheated and breathless when she tried other types of exercise. And because of her foot problems, prolonged running or walking were out.
But during the four-week process of learning to do crossovers and skate backward, she noticed her breathing difficulty had lessened. Now that problem has disappeared. Garland, of O'Fallon, Mo., has become a competitive figure skater who does single jumps and recently learned to spin on both feet.
"I get all the benefits of running without the impact on my feet and knees," Garland says.
600-900 calories an hour
The American College of Sports Medicine says that on average, for every hour of skating, a 150-pound person burns about 600 calories. That's about the same as running five miles in an hour. Just circling the the rink is healthful. Adding the basic skills of skating — forward and backward crossovers, turning, stopping and changing feet — increases the health benefits to about 800 to 900 calories per hour.
Learning those skills usually involves the help of a coach. So, many rinks have adult programs, not only to offer fitness, but also to provide an environment where grown-ups can learn without the awkwardness of competing with fast-learning, injury-resilient children.
Susie Smith, director of the skating school for Kirkwood Ice Arena in Missouri, says people joining the adult classes in Kirkwood mainly want to:
• Keep in shape during the winter months.
• Skate with their kids.
• Join hockey leagues.
• Learn figure skating.
Smith, who teaches all levels, says a skater's body gets better as the skater becomes more proficient.
"Our beginners first discover muscles that haven't been used in years," she says. "Ankles, shins, thighs, glutes, arms all get a workout and then get good tone. Then, as the skater learns to glide, do front and back crossovers, and gain speed, the skater gets more of a cardio workout."
People who skate three times a week "will notice a big difference in the outward appearance of their legs," say Libby Falk, who teaches adult skaters in St. Louis. Recreational skating also helps strengthen knees and hip flexors — especially beneficial for older skaters, she says.
"Skaters have been coming to the rink for 40 or 50 years," says Falk. "It is truly an exercise you can do for life."
Fear of falling
The biggest problem adults face, Falk says, is the fear of falling. "Adults really think they are going to hurt themselves and that can really prevent them from learning."
So falling is the first thing Falk teaches. Getting up is second. Falk and Smith teach students to fall backward onto their bottoms, and hold in their necks to protect their heads.
Some of their first lessons also include stopping and avoiding other skaters. Both instructors teach recreational skaters to stay away from the rail, because it is the place where the most injuries occur.
"The rail offers a false sense of security," says Smith. "It is much easier to catch a toepick on the boards than in the middle of the ice."
Falk notes that "once you realize that falling doesn't really hurt, you can progress as far as you want."
Falk suggests choosing equipment that will make a fall a little more forgiving. A hockey helmet isn't necessary, but it may make a skater feel secure. She also suggests wrist guards and kneepads. Outdoor skaters should wear a hat.
Garland had plenty of fear when she started skating.
"There was the fear of falling, and of hurting myself, and also of being intimidated by being the only adult on the ice," she says. "But there are little victories in skating: Every time you learn a new skill or spin or jump, the fear lessens and you get more into the feeling of flying."
Plus, she says, "There's a saying in skating: 'If you aren't falling, you aren't learning.' "
