If you want to become a figure skater or have a child who wants to become one, you have to know the steps it will take to get there. Figure skating is a very demanding sport, and if you want to compete at the Olympic level, know that it’s hard work and only a few are chosen. You’ll also need to have the right people in your corner if you want to succeed and have the right mindset. Let’s take a look at how you can become a figure skater in 5 steps.

Start Early

First of all, you have to be realistic about your chances of succeeding as a figure skater if you’re older. If you want to perform at the Olympic level, then you have to start very early. There are some exceptions and a few successful skaters started skating in their teens, but the best age to start is from seven to 12 years old. If you want to perform recreationally or become a professional skater, then you could start at a later age, but if you’re past your teenage years, you should reconsider trying to compete.

Build Your Team

Many people think that they’ll only have to hire one coach when in reality, they need to build an entire team of professionals to help them succeed. Most successful skaters have at least one coach that will work on their skills and another one that will work on their performance and expression. You’ll also need to find a choreographer, a personal trainer, and a nutritionist if you want to have the best chances of succeeding. You’ll need to find a manager to deal with things like sponsorship agreements and keep tabs on assignments as well.

Get the Proper Gear

The next step is to pick up a pair of skates. Here, the brand of the skates will make a big difference. Some of the biggest brands of figure skates include Riedell, Jackson, and Botas. It’s always a good idea to ask your main coach which brand they recommend and run any choice by them.

Pick the Type of Figure Skating You Want to do

You should also know that there are different types of figure skating, so look at them and choose the one that attracts you the most. You can decide to perform individually or in pairs. You can also decide between performance skating and ice dancing.

All of these styles are major differences between them and will appeal to different people. Some styles might also be more suited to your morphology and abilities. So that’s something you’ll need to look at in detail and also discuss with your main coach when you first meet them.

Practice and Join a Club

You will then need to start focusing on practice. Be ready to practice at least six days a week. You might also have to train in the wee hours of the morning so you can fit your practice around your schedule. Once you’ve perfected your skills, you can start looking at skating clubs and competing.

This is all you need to know about starting a career as a figure skater. Make sure that you or the person you want to enroll is ready for the challenges that come with it and that their heart is truly into it.