Gas or charcoal, shaken or stirred … Wood or concrete? You may not have ever considered where you stand on the concrete vs. wood skating rink debate, but don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with this guide to the different types of skating rinks!  

What are the types of skating rinks? 

Skating rinks usually fall into one of the following categories: Wood, concrete, or less commonly, plastic tile (VersaCourt and SkateCourt, for example). Each has its own unique properties, but here at Wheels Skate Center, we’re partial to hardwood skating rink flooring. Read on to learn a bit about the pros and cons of each type. 

It’s a Hard Knock Life: Concrete Skating Rinks

Concrete is a popular skating rink flooring option because it’s by far the cheapest. It’s also very durable, so it doesn’t have to be replaced as often, and quite slippery, which can make it good for doing certain skate moves like spins, or for speed skating. 

However, as you’ve probably guessed, concrete floors are hard. That means not only does it hurt worse to fall on concrete, but also that it’s harder on your joints. Just think about what it’s like to run on grass vs. pavement; roller skating is a low-impact sport, but the surface you’re skating on does make a difference in how much of an impact you feel each time you push off. 

In addition to the hardness, concrete skating rinks can be hard to install properly. It’s important that they be perfectly level and smooth in order to make a good roller skating surface, but that’s not always the end result. 

Life in Plastic: Not Fantastic

There are some flooring systems out there that use copolymer polypropylene (plastic) tiles, which can be a great option for basketball courts, tennis courts, etc. While these systems are sometimes used for skating rinks, they are not ideal for roller skating. Common complaints include: 

• Being too noisy
• Being too bumpy
• Making it hard to get up any speed
• Causing “road rash” to exposed arms or legs if you fall down while skating

Why Wood Skating Rinks Are The Best Skating Rinks

And last, but not least, we have wood skating rinks, like the one we have here at Wheels. Usually built out of maple hardwood, wood skating rinks are the classic material choice for a reason. Wood skating rink flooring is more expensive and doesn’t have quite as long of a lifespan as other options, but we think it’s the superior choice based on the experience it gives skaters. Benefits of maple hardwood rinks include:

• A smooth surface with excellent traction
• “Give” or flexibility, which is easier on joints
• Less painful than falling on concrete
• A beautiful look! Sure, we’re biased, but nothing compares to a beautiful wood skating rink built by skilled craftspeople. 

Want to experience a wood skating rink for yourself? Come visit us at our Odenton, Maryland skating rink, Wheels Skate Center. Check out our schedule to see skate sessions and special events. 

Valentine’s Day is almost here, and if you haven’t yet made plans with your special someone, it’s time to get started. This year, why not try something a little different for your Valentine’s Day date? Check out these unique date ideas in Odenton to help you think outside the box and surprise your partner with a special outing. 

Why are creative dates important? 

Variety is the spice of life, and according to relationship experts, couples who try new things together are happier than those who don’t. It makes sense, after all—the excitement of new love fades over time under the harsh glare of day-to-day routine, so if you want to keep that excitement alive, you’ve got to put in the work. And yes, that means getting off the couch, putting your phones down, and spending some quality time together! 

Creative Date Ideas for Valentine’s Day (Or Any Day!)

The best dates are ones that change up your routine and inject some novelty into the day-to-day, so it’s important to think outside the box and come up with some cool new activities to do with your significant other. These are some ideas to get you started, but don’t be afraid to come up with something that is personal to you and your partner! 

Roller Skating Date

Join us at Wheels Skate Center for a roller skating date that will make you feel like lovestruck kids again! Roller skating is a perfect date activity because it’s active, fun, nostalgic, and makes for great memories. Request “your song” and hold hands with your boo while you glide around the skating rink. 

If you or your partner aren’t super confident on skates, don’t worry—we have skating classes for beginners! Our skating classes take place on Tuesday evenings and admission is only $6 including skate rental. From 6:15 to 6:45 we work on forward skating and balance skills, while 6:45 to 7:15 is reserved for learning backward skating and turning skills. (Please note that doors open at 6 pm and skaters must be on the rink at 6:15 in order to participate in the lessons.) Learning a new skill together is a good way to build intimacy and strengthen your sense of teamwork.  

Volunteer Together 

Turn the love you have for each other outward and shine it on those in need. Find a local charity or nonprofit organization you both feel passionate about and sign up to volunteer together! Whether you end up walking shelter pups, sorting food bank donations, reading to seniors, or whatever else you decide, you’ll feel more connected with your partner and proud of yourselves for putting your values into practice. 

Team Up on a Scavenger Hunt

Speaking of teaming up, combine your powers to solve a scavenger hunt! Annapolis has several scavenger hunts you can try for different neighborhoods, so get ready for adventure and spend a day exploring with your favorite adventure buddy.

Roller skating is one of the most fun activities out there, and it’s good for you to boot! (Pun very much intended.) We’ve discussed a lot of the health benefits of roller skating, and it’s true that skating is a great option for low-impact exercise. However, like any sport, roller skating can come with some minor irritations, aches, and pains. Read on to learn how to prevent blisters and foot pain from roller skating, and visit our pro shop at Wheels Skate Center for new skates, skating equipment and accessories, and of course, expert advice from our pros! 

Common Causes of Roller Skating Foot Pain

Some of the most common causes of foot pain while roller skating include: 

Lace Bite

This skating malady is caused by pressure from a stiff skate tongue (the part that goes behind the laces, on the front of your ankle/top of your foot). If the skate is laced tightly, the tongue cuts into the tendons of the ankle, causing pain, redness, and swelling. 

Chafing and Blisters

If your skates are too big or too small, you may end up with chafing, redness, and even blisters, which can make skating (not to mention just wearing normal shoes) very uncomfortable. Skate boots that are too large don’t stay in place, causing them to slide back and forth on your foot. Boots that are too small cut into your foot and can rub your skin until it’s injured. 

Plantar Fasciitis

This painful condition is caused by inflammation in the thick band of tissue that runs from the heel to the toes. If you feel stabbing pain in your heels during or after skating, you may have plantar fasciitis.

Tight Achilles Tendon

This tendon runs from the calf muscle down to the heel, and many people find that it can tighten up during exercise. If your Achilles tendon is tight, you may experience pain in and above your heel at the back of your ankle, as well as swelling. In severe cases, your heel may even feel hot to the touch due to the inflammation. 

How to Prevent Foot Pain from Roller Skating

The most important thing you can do to prevent foot pain while roller skating is to wear properly fitting skates! It all starts with the skates, so make sure you have the fit right when ordering. If possible, visit a pro shop to order your skates. Here at Wheels Skate Center, we have a pro shop where you can try different skate sizes and brands, so you feel confident when ordering your skates. 

Of course, you may still run into some issues, so check out these tips to avoid foot pain and blisters from skating. 

Don’t lace your skates too tightly.

Your skates should be laced tight enough to provide support, but not so tight that they’re putting pressure on the front of your ankle. 

Wear thick socks and add more padding if necessary.

Nice, thick socks are a must for roller skating. They provide additional padding, keep your feet dry, and help prevent blisters and chafing. Of course, you may still need to make a few adjustments, so get some moleskin from the drugstore, cut it to shape, and stick it inside your skate boot anywhere that you feel painful friction forming. 

Warm up your muscles and stretch before skating.

As with any sport or physical activity, you should always warm up and stretch before skating. Gentle stretching every day can help reduce pain from Plantar fasciitis and also loosen up your Achilles tendon. 

Life on roller skates is pretty sweet, cruising along with the wind in your hair and not a care in the world. But just like life itself, occasionally you may hit a bump, feel a tug to the side, or even grind to a stop. Don’t worry, you can always get back on track. Check out these roller skate maintenance tips to learn when (and how) to give your skates the TLC they need. 

Roller Skate Problems to Watch Out For

Some of the most common problems you may notice with your skates include:

• Wheels not spinning freely
• One skate “pulling” to the left or right instead of rolling straight
• Wobbling all over the place, or on the other end of the spectrum, you feel like you can barely turn

So, how can you fix these issues? 

• Clean your skate bearings. Over time they pick up dirt and debris, even if you’re skating at an indoor skating rink. If you try to spin your wheels and they don’t spin freely, this is the likely culprit. Cleaning your skate bearings is easy, and you should do it every 2-3 months to keep them in good shape. 
• Examine your skate to determine why it’s pulling to one direction. It could be due to a bent axle, misaligned plate, or too much tension on one of the trucks. If you’re having trouble determining the cause, stop by our Odenton pro shop to chat with one of our helpful team members. We’re passionate about skating, and we love to help people progress in the sport, so don’t be afraid to ask questions!
• Check your trucks if you feel like your skates aren’t handling correctly; they may need to be tightened or loosened. The looser your trucks, the more easily they turn. The tighter you make them, the harder it will be to maneuver. You want to find a happy medium between responsiveness and stability. 

A Roller Skate Maintenance Checklist

Ideally, you’ll stick to a roller skate maintenance schedule to head off any problems before they affect you on the rink. Use this checklist as a starting point, and adjust as needed for your frequency and intensity of skating. 

• Every time you skate: 
  • Unlace and open up the tongue to let your skates dry out. DO NOT sit them in front of a fire, radiator, or attempt to dry them with a blowdryer, as this can warp the skate boot.
• Every week:
  • Tighten stoppers
  • Check wheel nuts
• Every 3-5 weeks:
  • Give your boots, wheels, and plates a wipe down with a soft, damp cloth. 
  • Check your trucks and adjust as needed. They should be loose enough that you can move them with your full hand, but not so loose that you can move them with just your fingers.

Now that you know basic of roller skate maintenance, put those wheels to use! Join us for open skating sessions, weekly specials, and monthly events at Wheels Skate Center in Odenton, MD. 

Can you believe December is already here? Time sure does fly when you’re having fun, and we’ve had a lot of it this year at Wheels Skate Center! 

The holidays are all about spending time with the people you’re closest to, so make the most of the season. There’s still time to squeeze in a little more fun with family and friends to make some new memories before the new year. Check out our list of December events below and get ready for family fun in Odenton this month! 

Special Events to Celebrate the Holidays

Holiday Skate Party

When: December 14th, 2019 from 10 am to 12 pm

Join us at Wheels Skate Center for a very merry holiday party! Put on your favorite tacky sweater, don’t forget your Santa hat, and lace up your skates for a holly jolly good time with your favorite Christmas music. Bring your friends and family to rock around the rink with you! And if our holiday skate isn’t enough for you, don’t worry. We’ll also be hosting our usual skating sessions from 1 pm to 4 pm and 8 pm to 11 pm.

School’s Out Skates

When: December 23rd, 26th, 27th, and 30th, 2019 from 12 pm to 3 pm

Don’t let the holiday break pass you by without doing something fun with your friends! Instead of wasting time watching Netflix or staring at your phone, invite your friends to meet you at Wheels for our School’s Out Skate events. Admission is only $5 and includes quad skate rental. 

New Year’s Eve Celebration

When: December 31st, 2019 from 6 pm to 10 pm

Come party away the last night of the 2010s at our New Year’s Eve Celebration! It’s sure to be the best New Year’s Eve party in Odenton with great music and atmosphere. Dress to impress in your blingiest sequins and glitter! Admission is only $8, so invite your favorite people and send the year off right.  

More December Events in Odenton

Don’t just wait around for our holiday events. While they’re definitely not to be missed, we have recurring events to liven up your week. 

• Adult Nite – Every Tuesday* it’s “adult swim” at the skating rink, with 21+ skating from 7:30 pm to 10 pm. No kids allowed, the adults are skating!
• Dollar Nite – Wednesdays* are Dollar Nites from 7 pm to 9:30 pm. Come out and skate for less than the cost of your morning coffee. 
• Kid Fun Time – Saturdays* are for Kid Fun Time! Join us from 10 am to 12 pm for a kid-focused session with $6 admission. 

*Please note that our weekly events do not occur on holidays and may be cancelled or rescheduled as needed.

‘Tis the season to party! The holidays can be stressful, and sometimes you just need to take a load off and have fun with some family and friends to celebrate the season. Whether if you’re going out or staying in, get-togethers don’t have to be just another thing on your to-do list for the holidays that add stress, but can be a fun and unforgettable time to spend with others. This year, let’s up the ante! With the winter holidays right around the corner, we have come to share the secrets to hosting a great and memorable party (one that won’t pile onto your holiday stress). 

Choosing What Kind of Party:

Casual or high class? Dinner or drinks and snacks? The first step to planning a party is sorting out the element of the party, which all depends on the people you are inviting. A fancy party might not be everyone’s scene, and you don’t necessarily have to have the glitz and glamour to have a good time. You could even host a holiday party at the rink! Have a workout and some fun with your co-workers, family, or friends that no one will forget. For more information, check out our hours and packages.

Invitations and Decorations:

You could go for the simple route of creating an event on Facebook, or you could create some cute evites! They have templates so you don’t have to make the invites from scratch and you can customize them however you want! Decorations can be tricky and also can be pricey, but they don’t have to be. You can take a trip to the dollar store or Walmart and pick up some seasonal fake flowers and make your own arrangement using mason jars. Greenery and twinkly lights are also go-to holiday decorating staples. Cover your banister or mantel with a strip of greenery and a string of lights from the craft section and your home will instantly look like it’s out of a Hallmark Christmas movie. 

Most Importantly … Food!

Food is what brings people together, but cooking can also cause a lot of stress in the kitchen. Don’t need to fret, turn your holiday party into a potluck event! Have your guests bring sides and desserts so you only have to worry about the main entree and drinks. Here are some drink recipes to try to add some holiday flavor to the night.

No matter what holiday you are celebrating, with these tips, it will be a memorable night that won’t give you any gray hairs. The most important tip of all is to surround yourself with people you care about and you’ll instantly have a great party.

Happy Holidays from Wheels Skate Center!

The holiday season is a beautiful time of the year to surround yourself with people and things that you are thankful for. Unfortunately, not everyone has this luxury. There are many people who don’t have any family at all or aren’t on the best terms. Some people aren’t even able to have their daily needs met. Here at Wheels Skate Center, we believe the holiday season is the time of year to give back, so we’re here to share some ideas on how you can bless others and your community. 

Help a Senior 

The holidays can be a depressing time of year for some. For the elderly, they may not have anyone to care for them or may not have any friends or family around to just be there to talk and spend time with. Life can be awfully lonely, so just visiting a senior and talking or playing a game with them can really make their day. They may not be able to cook for themselves anymore, so just stopping by with a baked good or casserole is not only providing food and service to them, but it also shows the person you care.

Get a Gift for a Child in Need

There are so many wonderful organizations that will allow you to pick out a gift or donate to a child whose parents can’t afford to give them a gift or aren’t present in their life. One organization, in particular, is Angel Tree, which gives gifts to children whose parents are in prison. What’s so wonderful about giving gifts to these children in need is that you don’t even have to break the bank to make these kids smile, just a simple toy or school supplies will make any of these kids happy. 

Donate to a Food Bank 

So many people aren’t even able to have their basic needs met, so having an extravagant Thanksgiving meal or a multitude of presents is out of reach. By just going through your pantry and donating canned goods, you are already making a world of a difference. See a sale or coupon for one of your groceries? Double up, and donate whatever you don’t need to a food bank!

Take Them to The Rink

Sometimes gifting a family or an individual with experience is worth more than a tangible item. Taking the time with someone to do something fun or learn a new skill is a gift that will last forever. If both you and your giftee don’t know how to skate, we have classes!! And don’t worry, it’s okay to fall, no judgments here. 

Whether your gifting someone new skates or donating food, just doing some small acts of kindness can show people you genuinely care about them. But let’s not stop after the holidays are over, let’s continue giving all year round! Be blessed by blessing others.

Roller skating is one of the best skills you can learn, providing a lifelong outlet for fitness, fun, and friendship. If you want to learn how to skate, or if you’re working on becoming a more confident skater, congratulations, and welcome to the family! Learning to skate is so worth it, but as anyone who has ever taken their first strides on the rink can tell you, learning to skate involves falling down. It’s just part of the process. Fortunately, one of the first things we teach is how to fall safely on skates!

Sure enough, there’s a right way and a wrong way to fall on skates, and we’re going to share the secret to falling safely with you just like we do in our roller skating classes. Ready? Steady? Go! 

How to fall safely on roller skates

• The best way to protect yourself from falls when learning to roller skate is to wear protective gear. When skating outdoors or speed skating you should always wear a helmet, elbow and knee pads, and wrist guards. However, beginner skaters can benefit from wearing this safety gear indoors at the skating rink as well. Some skaters even choose to wear padded pants in case they fall backwards. 
• Speaking of falling backwards: Don’t! If at all possible, try to fall forward when losing your balance. Falling forward typically gives you more control. Try to go down on one knee if possible. If you start losing your balance and are able to control your fall into this “take a knee” posture, you may be able to avoid falling all the way down. 
• Of course, sometimes you may realize you’re going to fall backwards and there’s not a lot you can do to prevent it. But while you may still hit the ground, it doesn’t have to hurt so much. If you start to fall backwards, lean to your left or right. The direction doesn’t matter, you just want to take the impact of the fall on one side of your bum or the other, NOT flat in the middle. Falling flat on your bum hurts more because of the bony protuberance on your pelvis, the coccyx, aka tailbone. If you can choose one cheek to take the impact, it will be much less painful because you’ll be landing on muscle, not bone. 

These are just a few of the tips we share in our weekly skating classes on Tuesday nights here at Wheels Skate Center in Odenton. Classes are just $6 and include quad skate rental. Join us from 6:15 to 6:45 pm to learn forward skating and balance skills, and join us from 6:45 to 7:15 pm to learn backwards skating and turning. Doors open at 6 pm and we ask that skaters be on the floor and ready to go when class time begins. 

Remember, falling is normal; picking yourself up and rolling on is the only way to get better!

October is National Roller Skating Month, so it seems like the perfect moment to bring up one of our favorite topics: The benefits of roller skating! That’s right, roller skating isn’t just a fun, nostalgic activity that takes you back to your 6th grade crush’s birthday party or the heady days of roller disco. (But don’t let us stop you from taking a roll down memory lane.) No, roller skating is a sport, hobby, and social activity with real benefits. Read on to learn some of the many reasons to start skating, and join us at Wheels Skate Center to get in on the fun!  

Reasons to Roller Skate

Roller skating is social. 

There’s a reason roller rinks have been drawing crowds for years. It’s because roller skating is a social activity; the rink can feel like a party, but it’s a party where everyone is not just dancing but also gliding around with the wind in their hair! Roller skating is a very inclusive activity that the whole family can enjoy, from little kids to seniors. In fact, many older skaters credit the positive environment of the skating rink and the fun of roller skating with helping them stay active well into their retirement years. Just take a look at this nonagenarian roller skater! 

Roller skating is a workout. 

Speaking of staying active, roller skating isn’t just a social activity, it’s also an excellent way to stay fit. The physical benefits of roller skating mostly fall into these three categories: 

• Cardiovascular – Skating can get your heart rate up and provide a good cardiovascular workout without the impact on your joints of other cardio activities like running, jumping rope, etc. 
• Muscular – If you’ve ever roller skated after years of not doing it, you know that roller skating uses a lot of muscles! While the fact that skating strengthens your legs is fairly obvious, you may not know that roller skating also engages your core muscles, helping to tone your abdominals and back. These core muscles are what help you adjust your balance as you skate, so even if you aren’t skating hard and fast, you’re still engaging all of those muscles to stay upright.  
• Coordination – Speaking of balance, roller skating can also help you hone your coordination skills. Skating is all about balance and agility, being able to course correct and respond to changing conditions as you increase or decrease speed, avoid other skaters, and shift your weight to perform dance moves, spins, and even jumps. 

Ready to celebrate National Roller Skating Month with us at Wheels? We can’t wait to welcome you to our Odenton skating rink! And don’t worry if you’re not confident on skates; we have skating classes that are a great starting point for anyone wanting to join in on the fun. 

Here at Wheels Skate Center in Odenton, we love sharing roller skating with those who are new to the sport. From our before and after school programs for kids to our all-ages skate classes, our goal is to help more people enjoy the fun, socialization, and exercise of skating. One area that can intimidate new skaters is learning how to maintain your skates, especially completing tasks like changing your skate wheels. Fortunately, it’s easier than you might think! 

Why should I change my skate wheels? 

First and foremost, let’s talk about why you will need to change your wheels in the first place. If you want to skate indoors and outdoors with the same pair of skates, you’ll need to get comfortable changing your wheels. Outdoor wheels are softer to absorb the impact of cracks and debris, while indoor wheels are harder and roll better on the smooth surface of the skating rink. Even if you only skate indoors, eventually you’ll need to replace your wheels due to wear and tear. 

What type of wheels are best for indoor roller skating? 

With all of the options in skate wheels, it can be a little overwhelming to choose! Here’s what you need to know to pick the right wheels for indoor skating. 

• Skate wheels come in different sizes and hardnesses. As we mentioned above, outdoor wheels are softer; these would be any wheels under 90A in wheel hardness. 
• Indoor skate wheels should have a hardness of 90A or above. The exact hardness depends on your preferences and the activities you’ll be doing. For instance, jam skating calls for a wheel in the 93A to 96A range, while speed or artistic skating call for a harder wheel, around 100A. 
• The larger the wheel, the faster it goes. The standard for most indoor skaters is 62 mm (diameter). On the other hand, it’s better to use a smaller wheel for kids who are learning to skate. 

Whether you’re looking for advice, skate wheels, gear or accessories for your skates, the Wheels Skate Center Pro Shop is here to help! Visit us in Odenton for in-person assistance, or contact us online to order from our supplier catalogs.