Rollerblading When Pregnant: What You Must Know

Pregnancy is a stage where you have to be extra careful about the activities you choose to indulge in. The very first question that may crop up in your mind is whether it is safe to perform this activity while carrying a life? Certainly, a part of your everyday routine will involve vacation from work, hobbies, a regular exercise regimen, and other routine activities you perform each day. But, can you do recreational activities as well?

Can you rollerblade when you are pregnant? Certainly, you can but should you? Well, many gynecologists advise pregnant women to have a regular light exercise for a while to manage certain pregnancy complications. However, there are other physical activities that involve exhaustion and are a strict NO for pregnant women. Ideally, you should avoid activities that may involve a risk of falling including rollerblading.

With that said, if you are a pro or have enough experience to balance on skates, you may skate lightly and do some off-skate and on-skate workout while you are pregnant, without jeopardizing the health of your baby.

But, make sure there are no obstacles in your path and that you take necessary precautions. Here are some things you must know about rollerblading when you are pregnant.

Is it Safe to Rollerblade During Pregnancy?

While exercise is integral to a healthy pregnancy, rollerblading during the time may pose a significant risk even for an experienced skater. The risks are highest during the first and third trimester. As advised by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, you should avoid any activity that involves a higher risk of falls or abdominal trauma during pregnancy [source].

While staying active favors a healthy, less complicated pregnancy, the concerns are obvious. You carry an extra weight of almost 10-15 pounds in your belly. This weight is enough to disbalance your center of gravity during rollerblading making it difficult to stay stable on the skates. Further, your body is more prone to injury with loose joints and hormones rushing through your bloodstream. If you suffer a hard fall or land on your belly; the injury could be fatal or lead to premature labor.

Again, the best judge about whether you should indulge in recreational activities like rollerblading during pregnancy can be your doctor. Your medical examiner knows your medical history, your active involvement in sports, and your lifestyle. Judging by your level of fitness, your doctor can advise the activities that are considered safe for you during pregnancy. Although you can take up skating as a possible activity during early pregnancy, you must restrain the desire as your baby bump grows with time.

Getting Back to Rollerblading Just After Delivery

Returning to your favorite competitive sport after pregnancy is certainly a personal decision. However, there are certain factors that you cannot control such as the complications of your delivery, recovery issues, and more. You should give enough time for your body to recover before you switch back to the full-fledged competitive play.

It is always a good idea to indulge in some light on-skate workout or stroll around at a low pace. Do not pressurize yourself or let anybody else make the final decision. Giving yourself some me-time can help you recover physically and mentally. Returning to rollerblading after pregnancy can do wonders for your mental health and physical well-being. Off-skate workout and cardio training can help you get back on skates and regain endurance.

Can You Rollerblade with a Stroller?

Nowadays, many rollerblading enthusiasts try to glide with a stroller. No matter if you are an advanced rider or an amateur, there are certain things to consider if you use a stroller for rollerblading. Further, it can help you shed off some weight after pregnancy. However, safety comes first.

If you ever decide to rollerblade with a stroller, try to get a jogging stroller. These are the best for rollerblading. Some parents may prefer the standard, lightweight stroller but they do not serve the purpose well enough. Also, they are not safe for rollerblading because they do not have the necessary safety features for you and your baby.

Lightweight strollers are not recommended for rollerblading because they have small wheels, are too fragile, and do not offer sufficient suspension to protect the baby from shock. When you rollerblade, you move faster than usual. The construction and required safety features of the jogging strollers help in absorbing the jerks and maintaining balance.

Here are some must-have features that a good jogging stroller must have:

1. Handbrake

A handbrake is extremely useful when you are jogging or strolling. It comes handy when you want to stop during more serious running while moving down hilly terrain. It is a must-have component you should check for when rollerblading with a stroller. When you glide at a high pace. It becomes extremely difficult to stop your stroller just by using the usual hill brakes on your rollerblades. Again, you cannot use the parking brakes while wearing rollerblades.

A handbrake provides you complete control over the motion and speed of the stroller. You can easily stop the stroller with a handbrake whenever required. It gives you the control to stop instantly within reach. One thing to note is that not all strollers are equipped with a handbrake. You can find it only on premium quality jogging strollers such as Thule Urban Glide 2, Baby Jogger Summit X3 2016, and the BOB Revolution PRO.

The Thule Urban Glide 2 has amazing new twist handbrakes along with foot-operated parking brakes. Both are easy to maneuver. While you can use the handbrake to stop quickly, parking brakes help secure the stroller in position.

Some parents may find the handbrakes of Baby Jogger Summit X3 a little hard to squeeze initially. However, the stroller is extremely safe and you can easily maneuver the parking brakes even sports shoes.

The featured handbrakes are a promising addition to the BOB Revolution PRO. They are easy to press and release. These brakes come handy while rollerblading downhill.

In some strollers, you may find more advanced handbrakes. They not only assist in slowing down your pace but also work as parking brakes. One most recommended model with a dual deceleration and parking handbrake is the Chicco TRE Jogging Stroller. The dual handbrake assist in slowing down and parking.

A handbrake is a necessary and useful feature in rollerblading strollers. The function and maneuverability may not be smooth in the beginning and may even require some adjustments. However, with regular use and some practice, the brakes work just fine. Look for a handbrake feature when you buy a jogging stroller for rollerblading or running.

2. Suspension System

Rollerblading often involves a higher speed. No wonder your baby will suffer more bumps and shocks at that pace. Certainly, you do not want your kid to get bumped when you glide on your skates. A suspension system comes as a handy solution and a necessary feature for rollerblading strollers.

The suspension system will not only absorb the shocks but also smoothen the ride for your little one and for you. Standard lightweight strollers may not be that efficient to absorb shocks while rollerblading. In these strollers, the baby is likely to experience every bump and crack. It may badly affect his spine, head, or neck bone.

Invest in some good quality jogging strollers to prevent your baby from being hurt while you rollerblade. The Chicco TRE, BOB Revolution PRO, Thule Urban Glide 2, and the Baby Jogger Summit X3 are some of the most recommend jogging strollers with an amazing suspension system. You can use any of these four to climb over hills, move over rough terrain and make the ride comfier for the baby.

Both BOB Revolution PRO and Chicco TRE Jogging Strollers have an adjustable suspension system. In other words, you can adjust the system based on the type of terrain you intend to skate over with your little one. It is an awesome feature and a must-have in a jogging stroller.

You can find any of the four strollers online, review their features, and assess them according to your requirements. Most of the happy customers believe from experience that any of these strollers can handle a ride over rougher terrain consisting of gravel, grass or unbeaten roads. These strollers can handle rollerblading over an asphalt floor or cracked sidewalks without much shaking or bouncing.

3. Pumped Wheels with Lockable Front Swivel

Most jogging strollers have a 3-wheel construction. Each of these wheels has air-filled tires. The front-wheel usually has swivels. However, you can also lock them deliberately while running at high-speed over rougher terrain. The feature becomes even more promising and necessary when you are looking for a stroller to rollerblade with.

The most recommended jogging strollers with a front-wheel locking mechanism are the Thule Urban Glide 2 and the BOB Revolution PRO. however, you may find the functionality in some other strollers as well.

Two amazing jogging strollers that require special consideration are the Baby Jogger Summit X3 and the Chicco TRE Jogging Stroller. Both these models have a remotely-located wheel lock placed on the handlebar.

You can find a front-wheel lock located on the handlebar of Chicco TRE so you do not have to bend to lock the front wheels using your hands. All you need to do is to press the lock on the push bar, which is easy to maneuver and within reach. This feature makes it easy to use a stroller while rollerblading. The front-wheel lock of the Baby Jogger Summit X3 is located right beneath the push bar.

4. Sturdiness

You can never expect this feature in a standard lightweight stroller. Certainly, because they are too light, have a delicate construction, and are more prone to fall when you hit the tracks at higher speed or glide over an obstacle.

If you intend to rollerblade with a stroller, it must be sturdy, strong, and stable. The four models namely BOB Revolution PRO, Chicco TRE, Thule Urban Glide 2, and the Baby Jogger Summit X3 can guarantee sturdiness and better stability.

These strollers are not too heavy to maneuver. Each of them may weigh somewhere between 25 to 30.5 lbs. Again, they are not too light so you may have a tough time lifting them to your car trunk, however, the strong construction makes these strollers less prone to falls and sudden toppling over. Also, they are easy to steer and offer trouble-free maneuverability.

5. The 5-point Harness

It is an obvious practice to buckle up your baby to the seat using a 5-point harness when you are rollerblading with a stroller. You can find many good quality strollers online or at the sports stores that come equipped with a 5-point restraint system. These harnesses are easy to maneuver and extremely user-friendly.

When you use the Chicco TRE strollers for the first time, you may find the 5-point harness system a bit stiff. However, it gets smoother as you use the stroller many more times. The Thule Urban Glide 2 stroller has easy to adjust straps. The harness system in these strollers keeps the baby well-secured in its place.

Never put on the straps of the harness on the baby’s bare skin as they may be rough to touch to the sensitive derma. One of the best strollers that top the category with a 5-point harness system is the BOB Revolution PRO. These strollers have a high-quality harness system with nice padding to keep the baby more comfortable. You can easily adjust the straps without much ado.

6. Wrist Strap

Most of the popular jogging strollers for rollerblading come with a safety strap. You can put this strap around your wrist while you skate. The leash prevents the stroller from moving away from you.

If you are looking for a stroller with a long leash, you should go for Baby Jogger Summit X3. however, be extra careful while using the wrist strap, because the time you slip, you are likely to pull the stroller along with you. The action may cause the stroller to fall backward. The BOB Revolution PRO stroller is also good but has a shorter wrist strap.

7. Adjustable Handlebar

A height-adjustable handlebar is a promising and useful feature in a jogging stroller used for rollerblading. You certainly gain some height when you put on your rollerblades. Therefore, you require a higher handlebar to easily maneuver the stroller and avoid wrist fatigue. Plus, the height-adjustable handlebar helps you keep a proper posture without any slouching.

Rollerblading with a stroller may sound pleasing but can be a painful endeavor if you have to slouch over the stroller’s push bar or you find your hands hurt. An adjustable handlebar solves all these issues.

The adjustable handlebar of the Thule Urban Glide 2 provides 5 different height settings. You can find adjustable, rotating handlebars in other good quality strollers such as Chicco TRE and BOB Revolution PRO. The latter has 9 height settings to serve parents who are very short or very tall.

The Chicco TRE has a 3-position handlebar. The handlebar in Baby Jogger Summit X3 is not adjustable, which counts as a big disadvantage. Many parents complain that the stroller is not comfortable to push especially for tall parents. However, considering other features, it can serve the purpose for parents with a shorter height.

8. Large Canopy Probably With a Peek-A-Boo Window

Your baby comes to direct exposure to the sun rays when you ride during the day. You can prevent your baby from sweating profusely or getting sunburns if you choose a stroller having a large, extendable canopy.

All the four jogging strollers mentioned so far have a generous sunshade appreciated by many parents. The canopy will keep the sun rays from falling directly onto your baby’s eyes. Both Thule Urban Glide 2 and the Baby Jogger Summit X3 2016 strollers have big, extendable canopies that effectively protect the baby from damaging effects of the harmful sun rays.

These strollers also have a peek-a-boo window in the canopy. You can find two such windows in Summit X3. these seem to be a necessary feature in a stroller used for rollerblading. These windows help you stop and check on your baby when you are taking a stroll or exercising on rollerblades.

Riding next to the stroller can be extremely risky. The peek-a-boo windows allow you not to stop every few minutes to check on the little one. You can find a generous canopy on the Chicco TRE. It touches the bumper bar when you fully extend it. It also has a peek-a-boo window to keep an eye on the baby. A mesh vent checks for proper ventilation.

The viewing window gives you the ability to monitor your little rider during the entire rollerblading session. Both Chicco TRE and Thule Urban Glide 2 have a magnetic closure in the peek-a-boo windows. They are definitely better over noisy Velcro that you may find in the Baby Jogger Summit X3 and BOB Revolution PRO.

Here is a list of some useful accessories to check on your rollerblading stroller:

• Parent Console and Organizer – It may not sound to be a must-have feature, however, it is essential when you are riding with a little one. You can keep all your essentials like cell phones and water bottles safe and within reach using these handy organizers.

Most jogging strollers have baskets fitted under the seat to keep all your gear. But, they require you to stop every time you need to check your cell phone or you feel thirsty. Every time you have to bend down to reach for the essential element. This is definitely inconvenient.

A parent console and organizer located on the handlebar is much handier and useful. It keeps all your necessities, valuables, and belongings always at hand. One of the most recommended strollers in this category is the Chicco TRE Jogging Stroller. The parent’s console in the stroller has two handy beverages holders along with a small pouch to keep other items like keys and phones.

Other strollers may have a pocket on the back of the seat. However, they are again not very convenient or safe. You can also get additional organizers or consoles installed on your strollers for some extra money.

• Bumper Bar – A bumper bar is quite useful when you are rollerblading or running with a stroller. This additional safety feature can prevent your baby from falling off the stroller. It is something the child can hold onto when you are busy exploring the outdoors.

Only the Chicca TRE stroller comes with a pre-installed bumper bar. Plus, it has a belly bar inclusive in the price. Big plus. This is one of the highly recommended and most affordable models among the four strollers mentioned earlier. Chicca TRE is best equipped with regard to accessories. Again, it is a good choice if you want a sturdy stroller for rollerblading without running out of your budget.

You can get a separate bumper bar as an add-on accessory for Thule Urban Glide 2. The Baby Jogger Summit X3 also provides you with the option of installing an additional bumper bar. However, there is no provision for a bumper bar in the BOB Revolution PRO. You can purchase a snack tray for this jogging stroller and your child can hold this while riding.

The table below enlists all the four recommended strollers discussed above for rollerblading. These strollers have most of the necessary features along with some additional, handy functions:

Related Questions

Rollerblading is one of my most favorite fitness activities. I am currently using it to travel around as a low pace to get a cardio workout. Can I continue it from early-to-mid-pregnancy until I experienced a shift in the center of gravity? Rollerblading is definitely a good aerobic activity, however, it is most suitable during the middle of your second trimester. You cannot risk a fall during early and late pregnancy. So, keep it for later and switch to some other exercises during early and late pregnancy.

What precautions do I need to take when I rollerblade during pregnancy? Drink a lot of water to avoid dehydration. Wear comfy clothes. Never rush your stride. Move as slowly and comfortably as you can. Wear complete protective gear. And always have someone to watch your back.