How to Do Skaters: Low-Impact & Higher-Impact Cardio Options

Looking for a cardio exercise you can do in a small space—without a lot of equipment or noise? 

Try Skaters.

Skaters move us from side to side while challenging our cardiovascular fitness, lower-body strength, balance, coordination and proprioception.

And despite the name, you don't have to leap dramatically across the room. 😂

In today's How-To, I'm showing you different ways to perform Skaters so you can increase or decrease the impact and intensity based on your body and how you're feeling today.

Why add Skaters to your workout?

Much of our everyday movement—and many workouts—happens primarily forward and backward.

Skaters get us moving laterally, or side to side, helping us build strength and confidence moving in another direction.

They can help you work on:

✨ Cardiovascular fitness
✨ Lower-body strength
✨ Side-to-side movement
✨ Balance and coordination
✨ Proprioception—your awareness of where your body is in space

They're also a handy small-space cardio option when you don't want to go outside, don't have a treadmill or other cardio equipment, or want something relatively quiet indoors.

Make your Skaters work for you

Start with the version that feels right today.

You can keep the movement lower impact by stepping from side to side and controlling your pace.

Want more?

Increase the speed, make the lateral movement larger, or add more of a hop as you travel from one side to the other.

And don't forget your arms!

A stronger arm swing gets more of your body involved and can increase intensity without necessarily requiring you to jump higher or farther.

Try this instead...

Think cardio has to involve big jumps, lots of noise or a huge amount of space?

It doesn't.

A smaller, lower-impact Skater can still get your body moving and your heart working.

And on another day, you might choose the bigger version.

Your movement can change based on what your body needs today.

Remember...

We don't force your body into the movement—we fit the movement to your body.

🙌 Want help finding the best movement for your body?

We'd love to help you in class!

▶ Follow along for weekly Yoga, Pilates, Fitness and Mobility How-Tos with practical ways to help you understand your body and move with more confidence.

Cheers,
Meg