Riding a scooter can bring a lot of pleasant moments. Do you doubt whether adults ride a scooter? Of course yes! This is a fun and accessible activity that guarantees a fun time. The likelihood of any injury is quite low. You just need to choose a scooter of the right size, master the correct technique and follow simple safety rules.
Preparatory stage
Learning to ride a scooter is quite simple, but no one is immune from falling during the first lessons. That is why it is highly advisable to purchase protective equipment that is also used for, namely:
- Helmet;
- Knee and elbow pads;
- Gloves.
In addition, for ease of riding and mastering proper technique as quickly as possible, you should adjust the scooter’s steering wheel in height.
Where to start training
So, it's time to train. Which side of the platform should you stand on? It depends on whether you are right-handed or left-handed. We grasp the steering wheel with both hands. We rest one leg on the platform, the other stands on the asphalt.
In order to ride a scooter, you need to be able to maintain balance. Lean on your foot standing on the platform, and begin to push off with your other foot. That's it, the scooter is moving! Now you either place your other foot on the platform or continue to push off, gaining speed.
How to turn and brake?
Moving a scooter in a straight line, as a rule, does not cause any particular difficulties for beginners. Learning how to make turns is also quite easy. You just need to remember that the steering wheel should not be turned sharply, especially at high speed. Failure to follow this rule may result in a fall. In addition, before relatively sharp turns it is necessary to slow down.
The brake is located at the back of the scooter. To press it, use the pushing leg. There are also scooter options with hand brakes. The most advanced ones can purchase an electric scooter.
How to ensure safety when riding a scooter
It is worth remembering that riding a scooter carries the risk of falling. This is especially true for children and beginners. This is why it is so important to have protective equipment, as well as learn how to fall correctly.
It is advisable to practice the falling technique in advance. This can even be done at home. When falling, you must first land on your knees, protected by knee pads. You should not put your arms straight forward. They should be bent at the elbows, which are protected by elbow pads. Following these simple recommendations will help you avoid injury.
It would seem that riding a scooter is very simple - stand on the platform, push off from the ground, and let's go. To some extent, this is true, but there is a nuance: if you don’t know how to stand and push off correctly, the pleasure of skating will be spoiled by a bunch of different problems.
Typical problems of people who do not know how to push properly when riding a scooter:
Back hurts;
Your legs and abs get tired quickly;
Aching knees;
The scooter constantly wobbles and moves from side to side.
Do you want it to be good? Then, first of all, decide which leg on the scooter is the push leg.
How to determine the pushing and supporting legs when riding a scooter?
First, about the concepts themselves, everything is simple here: the supporting leg is the one that stands on the deck of the scooter, and the pushing leg is the one that pushes from the ground. Determining these legs for yourself is very simple; ideally, you will need the help of a friend:Stand straight, relaxed, feet shoulder-width apart. Try not to think about anything;
Let your friend lightly, slowly push you in the back - so as not to drop you, but to force you to step forward.
Changing the pushing leg when riding a scooter
Ideally, when riding a scooter, the pushing leg - whatever it is - should be changed every 10-15 minutes. This must be done to avoid health problems: severe fatigue, overexertion, spinal misalignment.How to push correctly when riding a scooter?
Another key point on which a lot depends. If you push correctly, you will be able to ride a scooter for tens of kilometers without any problems; if you push incorrectly, you will begin to feel discomfort after 10-20 minutes of riding.
You need to know the following simple things:
The main load when riding a scooter is borne by the supporting leg, not the pushing leg. It is she who will be the first to get tired if you ride without changing legs; it is where the muscles are most loaded. This is natural: in fact, you squat on one leg, albeit not too low;
The jogging leg is subjected to the same load as during running, but with a minimum of vibration stress on the joints. In this regard, it is noticeably more useful than running;
The press takes an active part in the return of the pushing leg;
The body is supported in an upright position by the biceps and triceps - you literally hold on to the steering wheel.
Push smoothly, do not hit the ground with your foot - the trajectory should be sliding. Imagine that you want to stroke the asphalt with a pushing foot, smoothly rolling your foot from heel to toe;
Don’t hunch over, avoid distorting your back - all this will have a very detrimental effect on your health;
Change legs every 10-20 minutes, this will help avoid fatigue.
Have you bought a scooter and can't wait to ride it? We give some important tips for beginner scooter riders.
Congratulations on your purchase! We have no doubt that the scooter will help you have a great time, but in order not to spoil the first impression, listen to our advice and recommendations.
Scooter box
Do you want to ride straight from the store, throwing away the box? Think about it - there may be a defect in the scooter, and without a box you will not be able to replace it in the next two weeks, only repair it under warranty. Don’t rush to throw away the box: it’s better to bring the scooter home, take it out of the box and save it for the near future.
Checking the scooter
Take the scooter out of the box. Don't forget to read the instructions, it may contain useful information, for example, about the folding system of the scooter.
Most city scooters are delivered assembled. Footbikes may have the wheel and handlebars removed, but the instructions usually describe the assembly process.
If the scooter is foldable, try unfolding and folding it several times - this way you will understand the folding system and check its functionality. The process shouldn't be difficult.
Take out the hex sockets that usually come with the kit. If you didn’t have them, look in household tools (for example, furniture hexagons are great). If you don’t have the tools, buy a universal set at a sports store; it’s very inexpensive and will definitely come in handy.
Check all bolts and clamps - they should be tightened tightly, but not overtightened. The wheels and steering wheel should rotate freely. If it seems to you that the wheels are not spinning long enough, then know that this is normal before you start riding (there is usually a thick lubricant inside that needs to be “rolled out”). Press the brake-fender with your hand - the spring should move it to its original position.
Adjust the height of the steering wheel - it should be at the level of your lower back.
That's it, you can go outside!
First trip
First, ride around a free and safe area. If you are worried about your skills, use protection if possible (knee pads, elbow pads and a helmet). This is in no way shameful.
Understand how the scooter turns - many people think that turning requires a sharp movement of the steering wheel in the right direction. In fact, in most cases it is enough to deviate a little.
Try using the brake. Pay attention to our material on correct braking technique - it is very important.
Push off and place both feet on the deck in a way that suits you - side by side or at an angle. Try switching your pushing leg: do a couple of pushes with one leg, stand on the deck with both and try to push off with the other. If it works the first time, great! If not, it doesn’t matter, this skill will definitely come with time.
This is basic knowledge. If, after riding for 5-10 minutes, you feel that you are succeeding in all the maneuvers, go explore your area!
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Mistakes of a beginner scooter
On their first trip, many newcomers feel euphoric. It’s easy to understand – a scooter gives new impressions; its speed and maneuverability can take your breath away! But there are a couple of tips that we recommend you listen to.
Try to avoid crowded areas until you feel confident riding a scooter. In a stressful situation, newly acquired skills are often forgotten, which can lead to unpleasant consequences. We especially note parents who go with their children, just learning how to use a scooter, to popular embankments and central parks. A child’s behavior is often unpredictable and letting him ride, say, next to a bike path is irresponsible. Think about safety.
You shouldn’t set records for the duration of skating on the first day. Limit your distance to 5-7 kilometers. The fact is that riding a scooter involves repetitive stress on your legs and shoulders. And they may be unfamiliar to your body if you do not engage in other physical activity. Don't be surprised if the next day you have a little pain in the muscles of your legs and arms - this is normal and will go away very quickly.
Proper riding technique is also necessary for long rides, and this comes with experience.
And don’t forget, the big advantage of a scooter is that you can take it with you on transport, so you don’t have to immediately plan a return scooter route!
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Scooters have long been perceived by most people as children's entertainment. But recently they are gaining more and more popularity as sports equipment or means of transportation. Children and adults of any age ride them in parks and yards, go to school, college, work, practice complex tricks and compete in skill. What benefits does such a hobby bring to our health and how to choose the right scooter for specific purposes will be discussed in our article.
The benefits of a scooter for adults
The benefits of simply riding a scooter for our health are beyond doubt, neither among doctors nor among the fans of such riding themselves. This type of transport is as safe as possible compared to a bicycle or skateboard; if you follow the necessary rules, it is almost impossible to get seriously injured. Even elderly people or people with joint problems can ride a scooter at a calm, slow pace.
When riding a scooter, you:
- train your cardiovascular system without experiencing serious overload (as happens, for example, when running),
- strengthen the musculoskeletal system without injuring joints with shock loads,
- improve the functioning of the respiratory system, develop the vestibular apparatus.
The benefit of riding a scooter also lies in the fact that lovers of this type of walk try to spend more time in the fresh air and go to parks and squares. Active movement forces the lungs to work at full capacity, saturating the blood with oxygen. This is especially true for smokers and residents of smoky cities.
Many people effectively use scooters for weight loss. This is a simple, healthy and safe way to lose excess weight. It’s not exhausting like intense running, it’s not dangerous like cycling, but riding a scooter requires a considerable amount of calories and uses many muscle groups. As a result, we get a beautiful, toned figure!
Due to the serious load on the legs, riding a scooter is an effective prevention of varicose veins, which is especially useful for women leading a sedentary lifestyle. The load on the lower body is also very useful for men's health: blood supply to the pelvic organs is an important part of the prevention of prostatitis and other diseases of the male genitourinary system.
Significant benefits of a scooter for eye health have also been noticed: when riding, a person constantly focuses his gaze either on near objects (looking at his feet or at people passing by), or on distant objects (looking ahead, looking around). This exercise strengthens the eye muscles, relieves eye fatigue, and provides a wonderful rest after working at the computer.
A scooter for adults is also beneficial because it brings joy - and genuine joy, just like in childhood! When skating, the production of joy hormones - endorphins and enkephalins - is stimulated, which allows you to successfully fight stress, fatigue, apathy and even depression.
The benefits of a scooter for children
A scooter is no less useful for children than for adults. It helps the harmonious development of the child’s body by loading different muscles and developing the vestibular apparatus.
A child can learn to ride a scooter from the age of two. There are simple, stable three-wheeled models with which your baby can easily master a new type of transport. And having learned to confidently ride a two-wheeled scooter, a child can easily master an adult bicycle - no need to waste time learning to maintain balance!
Many parents also love children's scooters: sometimes this is the only way to persuade their child to go somewhere. A 2-3 year old child no longer wants to sit in a stroller, and he is not yet able to cover long distances on foot. And while riding a scooter, the baby won’t even notice how much fun he will have, while receiving a lot of benefits and pleasure and strengthening his body. During the warm season, you can see many joyful children rushing on scooters to kindergarten!
Unlike a bicycle, this type of transport is much safer for both the “driver” and passers-by. It is legal to ride on sidewalks, and an accidental fall is unlikely to cause serious damage. But it’s still better to take care of the child’s safety by buying him a helmet, knee pads and elbow pads.
Three-wheeled scooters with two wheels in front are designed for the little ones. For older children, you can also buy a three-wheeled model, but with dual rear rollers that help them maintain balance. And then, after 6-10 years, a child can already “transition” to an adult two-wheeled model.
Scooter as a means of transportation around the city
A scooter is an excellent means of transportation over short distances. More and more people are giving up cars and public transport, and prefer to get to the right place with pleasure and health benefits, saving money and sometimes time. After all, you can spend much more time standing in a traffic jam or waiting for a bus than it would take to ride a scooter.
The speed of movement on a scooter is the same as when running fast, and the effort required is not much more than walking. As a result, a person does not get tired, does not sweat, and gets pure pleasure! Unlike a bicycle, a scooter is convenient to take with you. There is no problem bringing it into a store, office, public transport or carrying it in your hands through the steps. The only drawback of a scooter as a vehicle is its low cross-country ability: you can’t drive it on poor road surfaces, mud, or snow.
Choosing a scooter
When choosing a scooter, it is important to decide who it is intended for and what exactly is required of it. Pay attention to the minimum age and maximum weight for which a particular model is designed. You should not save on the cost of a scooter: high-quality products from a reputable supplier will not let their owner down at the most inopportune moment and, with careful use, will last for many years.
The basic requirements for different categories of scooters are as follows: children's scooters must be easy to control and safe, scooters for city riding must be light, passable, conveniently foldable, and for active riding, sports models with improved characteristics are needed. It is best to understand all the intricacies using examples.
- Small Rider Randy Flash is the best choice as a first scooter for a child over two years old. Lightweight and reliable, it will easily support a young rider. Two wheels in front provide excellent stability, and control is carried out by tilting the steering wheel in the desired direction: children quickly master this method of turning. Bright colors and luminous wheels will attract attention and give extra joy to the baby.
- Techteam Downtown is suitable for leisurely city riding for adults and children over 7 years old. An important difference between this model and most analogues is the unique folding system: simple, reliable and durable. Folding and unfolding of the vehicle is quick and easy, and transportation is simplified by the included strap. A lightweight aluminum frame, large rolling polyurethane wheels, high-speed bearings and a flexible foot brake provide a comfortable ride.
- And if you want to race, choose a fast model like the Techteam 230 Sport. The secret of this scooter is its large diameter wheels, equipped with high-precision high-speed bearings, and the presence of a front shock absorber that will make the ride smooth even on uneven road surfaces. The scooter rides quickly and smoothly, requiring less pushing than simple city models. Quickly folds, lightweight and easy to carry. Suitable for adults and children over 10 years old.
A scooter can be a great gift for anyone, regardless of their age, gender and lifestyle. Choose scooters for yourself and your children and enjoy fun walks and convenient movement around the city with health benefits!
29.09.2017
In a healthy body healthy mind!
A scooter is a cure for bad mood and a number of other health problems. The benefits of a scooter are undeniable, but is there any harm? This question is especially often asked when purchasing vehicles for little fidgets.
A definite answer to the main question of mothers
The biggest myth, which the scooter managed to acquire - it contributes to the curvature of the spine, like any other “one-sided” sport. Athletes train continuously for several hours a day. The same cannot be said about walking on a scooter. In addition, in this case, most fencers and tennis players should have a pronounced curvature of the spine. But in practice, we see a perfectly built body.
Indeed, unilateral loads contribute to scoliosis. But we are not talking about sports, but about the systematic uneven distribution of the load on the spine for a long time. The most striking example is the educational process. A heavy backpack or, even worse, a bag on one side, uncomfortable desks and sitting slouched in class, bend the spine in different directions and spoil the gait. Therefore, fears that riding a scooter is both beneficial and harmful are very exaggerated and untrue. Such leisure is more like a breath of fresh air and a way to exercise.
Orthopedist's opinion!
The intensity and duration of even daily walks on a scooter are not enough to form even a hint of scoliosis.
Experts also recommend changing the pushing leg. Some kids will feel uncomfortable at first. And to prevent the baby from being capricious, it is better to come up with an interesting competition or game. But observant mothers note that children alternate legs on their own when they feel tired. The only dangerous thing may be a low-quality product. Children's scooters are often made of plastic. The baby can get hurt on sharp corners if something breaks during a fall.
When purchasing a children's scooter in our store, you don't have to worry about fakes and low-quality models. All products are certified and undergo preliminary testing before purchase or delivery to the customer.
Healthy childhood
In addition to vivid impressions, such transport produces a certain general strengthening effect:
- strengthens the heart and blood vessels - excellent prevention of vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- stimulates lung function;
- benefits for the eyes - while skating, the child alternately looks into the distance and focuses his gaze on points nearby - such exercise trains the eyes, allows you to take a break from the computer and classes;
- develops and concentrates attention as much as possible.
Advice!
You can start skating as soon as your baby gets firmly on his feet, from 1.5 to 2 years old. Don't insist, if the baby does not want to learn a new means of transportation.
This is also a great way strengthens the immune system in the cold season. The ease of transport allows you to ride even in outerwear. While riding, the lungs work at full strength, the blood is maximally saturated with oxygen. Active movement prevents hypothermia, fresh air hardens the upper respiratory tract, actively cleanses the mucous membranes of the nose and nasopharynx, and has a general tonic effect.
When a scooter is absolutely necessary
Having made sure that the scooter does not cause harm, and the benefits for the child are obvious, we should dwell in more detail on the features of this type of transport.
One of the common problems of children aged 2 years and older is considered to be undeveloped coordination of movement. Despite all the desire to move and learn, the child often falls and cannot get to his feet for a long time, and does not cope well with sharp maneuvers: stopping, turning, standing on one leg, and so on. Good coordination and balance are not only needed to move without injury. They play an important role in the formation of a child’s self-esteem and his social adaptation. After all, confidence in yourself and your abilities when communicating with peers depends on how deftly and quickly your plan is achieved. Doctors recommend developing these skills from early childhood with the help of special exercises or using a scooter.
While riding, the baby tries to stay on one leg while moving. This is how the vestibular apparatus is trained. When the driver drives around obstacles, brakes, and experiments with reversing, movement coordination skills improve.
Important!
The scooter does not require any special skill, so there is no “awkward moment” when something doesn’t work out. The child does not have complexes around other children and does not get upset.
Difficulties with communication skills are not uncommon for children. A ride together on bright scooters will be a great way to make new friends. It's much easier to join a game and start chatting while you're at it. The scooter is not only children's transport - it is a modern trend. Bright design additions will help your baby attract attention and join the company. Everything that a scooter develops is necessary for fun adventures and a healthy childhood.
Scooter for adults: fun or full-fledged physical activity?
Even a stranger passing by on a scooter evokes positivity. It seems that fans of such transport simply do not know how to be sad. It remains to take a closer look at how riding a scooter affects the health of an adult. Benefits and harms are distributed in the following ratio: maximum energy and activity with minimal opportunity to harm yourself.
So, how is a scooter useful and what muscle groups does it develop:
- prevents varicose veins - active leg work increases blood circulation in the lower extremities, reduces the risk of blood clots, improves the condition of blood vessels;
- improves men's health - intensive blood supply to the pelvic organs reduces the risk of prostate adenoma;
- helps to avoid pain in the cervical vertebrae and lower back;
- fitness for a beautiful figure - a daily 30-minute walk allows you to pump up the muscles of your buttocks, abs and back; reduces the thickness of subcutaneous fat in problem areas.
Interesting!
Riding a scooter burns 30% more energy than cycling. An aerobic effect is created.
It is impossible not to mention the democracy of transport. There is no dress code, you can ride in any clothes and look cool. A girl in a skirt or a man in a business suit look equally stylish. Plus, you don't have to worry about wrinkles on your trousers or looking sloppy after cramped public transport. This is a way to emphasize a modern outlook on life.