From Jo Ann Schneider Farris,
Your Guide to Figure Skating.
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Do you want to get an idea of what's involved in becoming a figure skater? Before you begin to skate, there are things you should know.

• Register for Ice Skating Lessons
  Group ice skating lessons cover many figure skating basics and are a good way to get started in the sport.

• Dress Like a Figure Skater
  Certain types of clothes should be worn by figure skaters.

• Buy Skates
  Rental skates are okay to use if you just want to try out ice skating, but if you are serious about learning to figure skate, it is essential that you buy good boots and blades.

• How to Lace Figure Skates
  Figure skates must be laced correctly.

• Take Some Private Figure Skating Lessons
  Group lessons will get you started with mastering figure skating basics, but private lessons are required for those who wish to advance at the sport.

• Set a Practice, Lesson, and Training Schedule
  To improve at figure skating, a skater must practice regularly.

• Join a Figure Skating Club
  When you first begin to figure skate, you do not have to join a figure skating club, but as a skater advances, there is a time when joining a figure skating club becomes necessary.

• Compete in Competitions and Take Figure Skating Tests
  There are two different ice skating associations in the United States and there are competitive and test programs that are available to figure skaters of all ages and levels.