ROCKPORT — Remember the days of disco balls, roller rinks and pom-poms as you showed everyone how to “shoot the duck” during Ladies’ Skate?

Rock Coast Roller Derby member Hedda Barton has that move down pat, and others as well. She recently started an open “Fitness Skate” session to go all summer at the Midcoast Recreation Center in Rockport on Tuesdays and Thursdays for anyone who wants to go back to their roller skating roots and get a workout.

“This isn’t just for women in derby, although, obviously we welcome anyone interested in it, but also for men or women of any age or body type who want to roller skate to strengthen their muscles,” she said. “We also want to invite back some of our retired derby skaters to get back on skates again. It’s a way for those who got too busy with kids or their life, to come back and have some fun and connection.”

A one hour session goes by amazingly fast. On Thursday, Barton led about a dozen women and one man through warm up rounds, derby techniques, games, a core workout and warm down. It’s the perfect exercise for people who don’t want to commit to an entire season with only a $7 drop-in fee (or $40 for a month). In one hour, a person could burn nearly 482 calories.

And it’s fun. “We’re trying to keep it free form, so if somebody wants to come skate around the rink, he or she is totally welcome,” she said. If you ever wanted to skate backwards or pick up some killer derby moves, these are the people to skate with.

The session goes through until July, twice a week from 5 to 6 p.m. Barton even has a surplus of skates, pads and helmets one can use (for now) at no additional charge. Most of the skates are women’s, with two pairs of skates for men. “We’re in the position where we can borrow and rent all the gear from another derby team to provide more options for people who don’t have skates,” she said.

The informal group is looking toward using MRC for a public nighttime skating party with a disco ball and music this summer as well.

““What’s cool about skating in general is that anyone can do it,” said Barton. “Some people are good at some things and we all work on our weaknesses and strengths together,” she said.

Participants just need to be 14 and up. Anyone with their own roller skates is welcome to join and those who need gear can RSVP their sizes to Barton at brionnabarton@gmail.com.