Every sport is different. Each sport requires a different type of physique so that the players can play to their highest level. You cannot play wrestling if you are very skinny because huge wrestlers will just break your body into pieces. Or you can’t play boxing in the heavyweight division if your physique is not for the heavyweight division.
Skateboarders are skinny because the skinnier you are, the more advantage you have in this sport. Having a lean or skinny physique allows more agility, flexibility, and mobility. Skateboarding is an athletic sport that benefits lean individuals because it highly involves pushing one’s body weight with a single leg.
Additionally, skateboarders are skinny because it is a very core intensive exercise when done at any level beyond casual riding, which burns lots of calories. That is why skateboarding is considered a cardio exercise since it can burn fats! Since skateboarding burns calories, this causes skateboarders that skate a lot to be leaner than they would typically be.
However, things aren’t that simple. That is why we need to dig into this topic and see why skateboarders tend to be skinny. If you are ready, let us proceed!
The Truth Is, Not All Skateboarders Are Skinny
Honestly, not all skateboarders are skinny, but most of them are! The reason why most people tend to think that skateboarders are all skinny is because that is the kind of physique they often see in a skateboarder they encounter. People more often see skinny skateboarders than overweight skateboarders, whether on the streets or the internet.
Yes, almost all of the skateboarders dedicated to this sport are skinnier or leaner because they skate a lot and burn lots of calories. However, if we talk about casual skateboarders, those who only skateboard for fun or as a hobby, you will find skateboarders with plenty of different kinds of physiques.
It is the reason why you rarely see skateboarders that are overweight on Youtube. Those skateboarders you see on Youtube or Facebook are dedicated to what they are doing. That is why they are skinnier or leaner.
The skinnier or leaner you are, the easier to skate. However, it does not mean that everyone should be skinny if they want to skateboard casually. There are lots of athletes from different sports that use skateboards as their side activity, usually for fun. However, it can also serve as a nice addition to the weekly regimen of athletes or just as an active way to spend their leisure time.
How Are Skateboarders Built?
Like I have said above, there are more skinny skateboarders than fat ones, which is why you more often see skinny skateboarders than fat skateboarders as you walk on the streets. However, if we look at those professional skateboarders, they are not exactly skinny. But athletic and lean.
When it comes to height, skateboarders are usually not that tall as NBA players. Yes, there are no height limits on skateboarding. However, those skateboarders who are about the average height or slightly below have some advantages.
There are lots of physics involved in skateboarding, and you have to keep your balance well. The taller the skateboarder is, the more challenging it is to balance themselves on their skateboards. Also, if you are tall, it is harder to do complicated skateboard tricks.
However, if you are tall, you don’t have to worry about it or shrink yourself. It is possible to become really good at skateboarding even if you are tall. In fact, Tony Hawk, one of the well-known skateboarders, is about six feet and three inches tall. If he achieved many things in skateboarding, then it means tall skateboarders can achieve theirs too.
Advanced and professional skateboarders that tend to do skateboard tricks have low body fat levels. The reason why is because having excessive dead weight can only make things more difficult. With low body fat levels, it allows for more agility, speed, and endurance.
Skateboarders also need to be pretty flexible. The reason why is because skateboarders tend to fall many times on their skateboards. However, skateboarders can only be flexible if they have elongated muscles and a very low-fat percentage.
Healthy Diet Is Essential
Of course, whatever sports you play, you need to have a proper diet. If we are talking about skateboarders that are serious about what they are doing and skateboarders that aim for that advanced preparedness level and physique, a proper diet is a great help. And even if you are not serious about skateboarding and feel like doing it for fun, having a healthy diet can also be a great help.
If you are just getting started with skateboarding, you could follow some of the basic habits that can help you lose excess fat and build muscles appropriate for skateboarding. You can cut down your sugar intake, white bread, white pasta, rice, alcohol, smoking, and other foods that are high in cholesterol. You should also make sure you intake enough fibers, protein, fruits, and veggies.
If you aim to lose unnecessary fat so that you can skateboard better, there should be a calorie deficit in the equation. Never starve yourself like other people do when they diet. You still have to eat but avoid food that causes you to have excess fats.
Proper Exercise Regimen Is Also Essential
Some people think that skateboarding is not a serious sport. They think that professional skateboarders have no exercise regimen. However, that is not true. Skateboarders also have their own exercise regimens. Yes, skateboarding itself is already an exercise, but just like any other sport, you need some training to achieve great results.
Aside from practicing skateboarding itself, there are few types of exercises that you should execute if you want to get better. Some of the exercises are:
- Steady-state cardio
- Intervals or intense cardio
- Strength exercise
Steady-State Cardio
When doing steady-state cardio, any standard type will work. Running is the most simple solution. However, skateboarding can cause strain on your joints from all the excessive pressure you apply to it. That is why it is also better to consider other forms of cardio that will prevent you from getting injuries. Swimming is one of the great alternatives.
Intense Cardio
Also, you should consider intense cardio. Sprints are the best one. Running can be a great way to do so. However, you should make sure that your joints should be safe. Never overdo it that can cause injuries to your joints. One to three times a week of intense cardio is enough.
Strength Exercise
Doing some strength exercise is also great and should be included in your routine. You can do strength exercises at least once or twice a week. You can hit the gym and do some weightlifting exercises. You should focus on your leg strength since it is the one that you use when you skate. Squats are a great exercise that will improve your leg strength. Also, you can lose lots of calories when doing squats since it is an intense workout.
However, doing other kinds of bodybuilding workouts can still benefit you because it will help you lose calories and will completely change your musculature, and help you achieve your goals.
Is It Easier To Skate If You Are Skinny?
Yes! It is easier to skate if you are skinny or lean. Why? Because you can balance yourself effortlessly, and your board can carry you properly. Also, it is easier to do skateboard tricks if you have a lean physique.
I have friends who have excess fat inside their bodies, and they told me that launching an Ollie is a struggle for them. That is why they decided to hit the gym so that they can lose some weight. After three months of consistently hitting the gym, they execute Ollie effortlessly!
Weight does not matter on skateboarding. Anybody can learn to ride a skateboard. However, having a lean or skinny physique will give you an advantage.
Will Skateboarding Help Me Lose Weight?
Yes! Skateboarding can help you lose weight if used properly. Like I have said above, skateboarding itself takes effort and can serve as an intense cardio workout. However, if you only skate a little amount of time and rest longer between practicing the tricks you like, it will not take you anywhere.
Like any other sports, there are plenty of regimens and exercise plans that you can do to be good at skateboarding. If you execute different types of cardio workouts, strength training, and proper diet, you will lose weight easier. Yes, skateboarding itself can help you in the process of losing weight. However, adding other exercises will help you achieve your goal.
Also, you have to keep in mind that losing weight does not happen overnight or after practicing one hour of skateboarding. It takes lots of time! Never listen to people that stated that they lose their body fats in just a week or month. They are all trying to sell you their products.
Losing weight is just like skateboarding skills. It takes time and effort to grasp it. Be consistent on your schedule to achieve your goal.
Can Overweight People Skate?
Yes! Overweight people can still learn to ride a skateboard. However, they can have a hard time doing skateboard tricks and balance themselves on their skateboard. Being skinny or lean can indeed give you an advantage on skateboarding, but that does not mean overweight people can’t skate.
Final Thoughts
Skateboarders are skinny because being skinny is an advantage in this sport. Having such a physique allows for more agility, flexibility, and mobility. Being skinny is much more efficient because you would spend a lot more energy on even the simplest skateboard movements if you had a lot more mass.
Another reason why skateboarders are skinny is that skateboarding itself is an activity that is considered an intense cardio workout. Doing an intense cardio workout can kill all the unnecessary fats a skateboarder has.
Fat or overweight people can still skate. However, they can have a hard time balancing and performing skateboarding tricks, but it is still possible. Being skinny or lean will give you lots of advantages in skateboarding.
