Roller derby workout: A new way to get in better shape (Video)

A new and fun way to lose weight, and keep that resolution this year is the roller derby workout. But bring your own mouth guard.

It is a new year, a clean slate if you will. An entire set of twelve months lay before us, just begging to be taken advantage of. A new year is full of possibilities, all you need is an open mind and you can achieve pretty much anything you wish. One of the most popular resolutions made is to get into better shape, but the gym can get boring for so many people, and equipment at home can be expensive. Roller derby workouts are popping up all across the country, and showing great results in core, and leg strength not to mention increases in stamina.

Since roller derby came back into vogue in 2001 it has become the fastest growing sport in the world. According to derbyroster.com there are 1,418 amateur roller derby leagues in the world. Odds are, there is one close to you. But you don’t have to be a roller girl to get some of the benefits of their training.

Flannery O'Slaughter, Candy KickASS! and Maime of the Cincinnati Rollergirls on the track

Photo credit: 

Jason Bechtel

The L.A. Derby Dolls offer a roller derby fitness program called “Derby Por Vida’ which is $45 a year (covers a year of insurance) and $10 per hour. They will supply some gear, but you should bring your own mouth guard and wrist guards. Their beginner class is 8-weeks for beginners and includes lessons like: stopping, falling (appropriately) strides and many other things derby players need to know. All of their classes are held at the ‘Doll Factory’ located at 1910 W Temple Street in Los Angeles. ABC did a story on the Dolls' workout, which you can see here.

A roller derby workout will push you in ways, you never have been pushed before. Simply standing on skates for beginners is a good workout for the legs. Even roller girls, who are the bigger skaters on the team, likely have more stamina than you do, and their core and leg strength is unbelievable.

If roller derby is not your thing, or there is not a derby workout close to you, roller skating by itself is a great way to exercise. Find a roller rink in your neighborhood and attend an open skate.