The martial art of Tai Chi offers many well-documented benefits. Now that I’ve been practicing the Guang P’ing form for a year, I can point out those I find specific to inline skaters:
- Balance – slow and constant motion, many one-foot stances
- Coordination – complex transitions involving every body part
- Strength – the knees are always bent, loading leg muscles
- Flexibility – everything from wide lunges to high kicks
- Mind-body – moving meditation, mindful breathing
Master David Bernhardt is at far right
Fun as it is, skating contributes directly to improving the most sought-after exercise goals: improved aerobic fitness, strength, endurance and body fat reduction. Fast-paced skating has been proved to be just as aerobically beneficial as running; compared to cycling, an equal skating effort results in a better muscular workout for hips, thighs and shins. As long as you apply yourself to purposeful workouts with specific daily goals (as opposed to simply going through the motions), you are setting yourself up to enjoy the maximum possible benefits from fitness skating. 
