How to Train to Be an Olympic Figure Skater

Figure skating takes years of practice.

Becoming an Olympic figure skater takes years of hard work and dedication, not to mention raw talent. Many of the best figure skaters in the world have been skating since a very early age, and plenty of Olympic competitors received their medals while still in their teens. If you want to become an Olympic figure skater, you will need to devote your life to becoming one of the best skaters in the world in addition to balancing all of your other responsibilities.

Instructions

1. Enroll in a group figure skating class that teaches the basics of getting around the ice and some essential techniques. There you will learn about your personal strengths and weaknesses. You should especially look for classes that teach the basic skills recommended by U.S. Figure Skating.

2. Create a training schedule that involves spending as much time on the ice as possible, as well as completing significant amounts of off-ice strength and fitness training. Becoming an Olympian is a full-time commitment.

3. Enlist the help of an experienced coach to oversee your personal development. Olympic athletes often work with the same coach for several years in order to be the most skilled competitors in the world.

4. Practice every day, whether you have a lesson or not. You should visit public skating sessions at your ice rink to work on the techniques you have been learning in class.

5. Take ballet. Ballet helps you build muscular control and a better understanding of how to gracefully move your body – both critical elements in figure skating.

6. Focus your life around figure skating. You will need to spend every waking moment practicing, training and improving if you want to have even a small chance of qualifying for the Olympics.

7. Compete in figure skating competitions. In order to qualify for the Olympics, you will first need to prove that you are the best skater in your city, then state, then country.

Tips & Warnings

• Very few figure skaters make it to the Olympics, even if they do all the necessary work.

References

• Go Figure Skating: Figure Skating Training
• Jumps are King: The Proper Training in Figure Skating
• US Figure Skating: Basic Skills