Have you ever wanted to cruise on a skateboard but been afraid you were too fat?
You’re probably worried about a dreaded moment of embarrassment. Like the board snapping under the pressure of your weight or slipping out from beneath you like a banana peel.
Skateboarding is a relaxing activity and a great way to spend time outdoors. Well, it may not be relaxing if you’re throwing yourself into the air on a half-pipe doing 360s, but most of us aren’t going that far.
Don’t let how your natural body keep you from enjoying this fun sport. Put the focus on having fun!
So what’s the deal…can fat people skateboard? There is no weight limit for skateboarding and so there’s no reason that fat or big-bodied folks can’t enjoy the activity. But it’s important to find the right kind of board. Focus on width, material, and wheels that will accommodate your bigger frame.
Let’s get rolling!
Do Skateboards Have a Weight Limit?
An average skateboard can hold 270 pounds. They might look flimsy, but they are stronger than you’d think. The four wheels are small and solid.
In this case, small doesn’t mean weak. Their density allows them to support some serious weight.
The actual board part of the skateboard is called the deck. The deck is the wooden platform that you stand on. Most of them are made of wood, but more modern skateboards can also be made of composites, aluminum, fiberglass and other man-made materials.
The top usually has a coarse tape material easy for gripping. The bottom side is often elaborately decorated with screen printing. From what I can see, the more neon the better.
The metal looking material that sits in between each wheel and attaches them to the deck is called a truck. And of course, the wheels are what move the board along.
All of these parts come together to form a very strong piece of equipment. Part of the strength comes from the simplicity!
Why Are Professional Skateboarders So Skinny?
The first people that come to mind when you think of pro-skaters are probably pretty shrimpy guys like Tony Hawk or Ryan Sheckler.
Although they’re both lean, they aren’t as small as you might think. Tony Hawk is a pretty big guy. He’s over six feet tall!
You won’t find many fat skaters, but that’s really just because they workout so much. After all, skateboarding is a serious sport. When you’re a professional athlete, it’s hard not to stay lean.
That being said, there are plenty of skaters who aren’t twigs.
Danny Way is a perfect example. He’s not fat by any means, but at 180 pounds, he is heavy by the skateboarding industry’s standards. The skating superstar even earned himself a gold medal at the 2004 X Games.
Is Skateboarding Good Exercise?
Skateboarding isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s a challenging sport.
Even if you are just planning to cruise down the street in your neighborhood, you can expect to burn 300-500 calories every hour.
When you’re skateboarding, your muscles are in constant tension. They contract and relax, which contributes to building more muscle mass.
Core strength is crucial. Your ab muscles, including the obliques and back muscles, play a huge role in your success as a skater.
Since you’ll often be riding over bumps, gravel, and other unstable surfaces, you need to be able to balance. Your core provides the strength your body needs to remain stable.
Abs are important but don’t think your legs are going to be off the hook. It takes some serious muscles to push yourself along. You’ll feel it in your quads and hamstrings especially.
Is Skateboarding Hard To Learn?
Like anything new, it’s going to take some practice. Many first-time skateboarders make the mistake of trying to learn tricks first.
Tricks are cool and will impress your friends, but will have the opposite effect if you end up falling flat on your face.
At the beginning, focus on the basics. Work on making the board go, balancing, learning to turn and stopping correctly.
Is It Easy To Break A Skateboard If I’m Fat?
First of all, everyone breaks a skateboard at some point. Even skinny people! Don’t feel bad.
In fact, professional skateboarders go through a new board every few days. That’s a lot of broken boards.
Being heavier does have its challenges though. Because of the stress on the deck, your chances of snapping your board are higher than for your smaller skateboarding friends, even if you’re super careful.
For riders with bigger bodies, the most important thing to remember is to target the pressure from your body in the right spot of the deck.
Try to balance your weight evenly on both ends of the skateboard. Concentering on this will keep you safe and upright rather than flat on your you know what.
If you hit a bump and get some air, try your best to keep your weight balanced. Don’t jerk your legs around. Bending your knees will relieve some of the landing pressure from your joints and keep your board stable when it connects with the ground again.
Is Skateboarding Dangerous?
Skateboarding involves some risk, but you can mitigate it by taking precautions.
First, always wear a helmet. Extra protective gear is advised, but at the very least you need to protect your head! You should consider adding extra padding if you’re a beginner.
You might feel a little dorky, but go ahead and wear those knee, wrist, and elbow pads. I promise you, it’s way dorkier to show up with bloody scratches and scabs than it is to protect yourself.
Another way to prevent injury is to go at your own pace. Don’t attempt tricks that you aren’t ready for. Build up your skills and be patient.
Since fat people have more mass, our momentum is increased.
That means that if you’re going down a hill and start at the same time as your skinny pal, you’re going to reach the bottom first because of gravity.
Injuries are most common because skaters are so close to the ground and moving fast. Always check how steep the incline is. If it looks too tough, grab your board and walk down.
Better safe than sorry!
What Type of Skateboard is Best For Fat or Bigger Riders?
Nowadays there is actually a pretty good variety of options for those of us on the heavier side.
We can finally buy the right kind for our body types!
Focus on the material, wheels, and trucks. Skateboards built for big riders are typically made of bamboo or fiberglass. These two materials are extra durable and provide the needed support for large weights.
You’ll also want to look for as wide of a deck as possible. An eight-inch deck is a great place to start. If you can find a deck closer to ten inches, that’s even better.
Bigger wheels will offer more support. Aim for wheels that are 70mm or higher. Heavier riders should also look for a skateboard with at least a 40-degree truck.
The Whome skateboard is a favorite among fat riders. The deck is made of heavy maple wood which is supportive enough for big guys and gals. The upgraded wheels and pro truck give you optimum comfort and control.
The board is nimble enough for tricks and is durable enough to handle a beating. You can check out some of the reviews and see today’s price on Amazon by clicking here.
If you’re really just looking to cruise, Whome also makes a great longboard which you can also check out on Amazon. It’s not as agile or light as a regular skateboard, but with a 9.5-inch deck it will accommodate up to 330 pounds. That means it’s great for bigger bodies.
All Whome boards have slick colors and creative designs. My favorite is Color 4.
You won’t find many subtle designs on skateboards. Go for the statement!
Final Thoughts
Skateboarding can get you from point A to B faster or can be a strategy for you to earn street cred.
Your size doesn’t exclude you from participating in this fun sport. Anyone can skateboard, but you need to invest in the right kind of board for your size.
Follow these tips for safety, comfort, and a joyful ride. Who knows, you might just be the next Tony Hawk. See you at the X Games!