The Trucks, Bearings And Bolts Of Long Boarding

A long board is a plank of wood attached to trucks with wheels, standard 2-4 feet in length. You will want to find one that is your size.

Try out your friends' long boards before purchasing your own; this will give you an idea of what you are comfortable with, and what you should be looking for- whether or not you like your trucks looser or tighter, or if you like gel wheels or rubber wheels. It is good to have these things figured out before you start throwing out your money.

There are a few different parts of long boards you should know about. The wheels, the bigger the wheels the faster you will go and less likely to get caught in cracks.

Then there are the bearings, the higher the ABEC rating, the more easily your wheels will rotate. Your trucks will generally be the same, though you may have to adjust tightness to your liking.
And lastly, board and grip- these go hand and hand. Find one that is your size and easy for you to control.

If you have never ridden a long board, you might have a little trouble balancing at first; this is to be expected. Start by standing on the board. This is called standing position.

Next, you will want to learn the "push". This is performed in standing position, lift one leg and push the earth beneath you away while keeping your other leg and weight on the board and still maintaining your balance.

This will create a sort of gliding sensation or sorts. It is really much easier than it sounds. You will have mastered standing position and the push in a matter of minutes.

Once you are comfortable riding on level ground using your new push technique, you may want to try "bombing" or riding down some hills. This will require you know how to lean and turn.
Simply reposition your body's weight slightly to one side of your long board, this will apply more pressure to the board, curve the trucks beneath you, and enable you to turn. It is good to remember to keep your legs bent.

Keeping your legs bent will lower your center of gravity increasing your balance; this will also work your thighs and calf muscles. So if you are looking to tone up your legs, long boarding may be the perfect leisure activity for you.

Remember safety first. Many people are hurt every year from trying to ride down hills that are beyond their skill level, so be sure to ride hills that you are comfortable with and to stay off busy roads. Accidents involving vehicles can be fatal and should be avoided at all costs.

Destry Masterson is a health, fitness and nutrition expert. She has written articles about diet and exercise and recommends http://www.treadmillsensei.com for information about treadmills. Contact Info: Destry Masterson - MyOnlineArticleWriting@gmail.com - Twitter: @DestryMasterson