Gear and equipment

No. Adults start figure skating at every age, from their 20s to their 70s and beyond, and many rinks run classes just for adults. Your body can still learn new skills and build strength and coordination at any age, and the adult skating crowd is a friendly one to join.

To start, you only need a pair of figure skates and comfortable athletic clothes, and most rinks rent skates, so you don't have to buy your own right away. Once you know you're sticking with it, boots and blades that fit properly make skating more comfortable and help you progress. For your first pair, we'd suggest getting fitted at a pro shop rather than buying online.

Most adult skaters see steady improvement once they're skating a few times a week. Skating regularly matters more than skating for hours, and a shorter session of focused practice does more than a long one without a plan. Many coaches suggest adding off-ice exercises for flexibility, strength and jump technique, and building up gradually so your body keeps up.

Yes. U.S. Figure Skating holds three adult sectional championships and the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships every year, with singles events from adult pre-bronze up to the masters levels. ISI (Ice Sports Industry) runs competitions too, and newer skaters often find them a friendly place to start. You never have to compete, but plenty of adult skaters find that having an event on the calendar keeps them going.

Start by calling your local ice rink and asking about their Learn to Skate program. Most offer group classes just for adults. You can also search the Learn to Skate USA directory or check with your regional U.S. Figure Skating club. Many coaches offer private lessons for adults too, and most are glad to hear from an adult who wants to learn.

ISI (Ice Sports Industry) and USFS (U.S. Figure Skating) are two different organizations with their own testing and level structures. ISI levels go from Pre-Alpha through Delta and then Freestyle 1-10, and tend to be more recreational-focused. U.S. Figure Skating's standard tests now run from Pre-Preliminary to Gold, and adults have their own test track from Adult Pre-Bronze up. Its competitions still use levels from Pre-Preliminary to Senior. Many adult skaters test through both systems. Our terminology guides break down each system in detail.

Falling is a normal part of learning to skate, and most falls end in nothing worse than a bruise. Protective gear like wrist guards, knee pads and a helmet can make you feel more confident and lower the risk of getting hurt, especially while you're starting out. A good coach teaches you how to fall safely early on, and the fear usually eases as you get steadier.