@@OverTheHillAthlete That's the thing I noticed with new skaters, as well as myself when doing other tricks. It almost looks like they're trying to get the board back on the ground as fast as possible after popping. It's all a mind game. The easiest way to get over obstacles is to just suck your knees up. If you pop right, the board wants to pop up. It's our scared little stiff legs that prevent it.
Great question. When I was 35 I went to college for exercise science and got certified as a fitness trainer when I was 36. I’ve been working as a trainer since. So to answer your question, no skateboarding is not why I am fit. I actually quit skating for about 30 years. But I was able to get back into it at around 50 because I was fit enough due to my training program.