So it’s a new year and you’re looking to start exercising more, or maybe you’re looking to make exercising more fun. What better way to have a good time and get moving than to start roller skating at Wheels Skating Center in Odenton, Maryland?

Roller Skating Has Amazing Physical Health Benefits

• Cardio – Roller skating is a sure way to get your heart pumping and is much more exciting than going for a jog on the treadmill or hitting the elliptical. As a form of aerobic exercise, roller skating increases circulation and heart strength, improves overall heart and lung health, reduces the risk of certain diseases. It’s also easier on the joints than many other forms of cardiovascular exercise.
• Strengthening Arm and Leg Muscles – Because roller skating takes a lot of work from both your arms and your legs, it strengthens them. Pick up a pair of skates and you’ll be toned in no time!
• Improving Balance and Coordination – You may be familiar with the initial uncertainty about your balancing abilities the first time you put on your roller skates, but here’s the great news: the more you practice roller skating, the easier it gets because roller skating improves your balance and coordination skills.

In addition to a new entertaining way to keep fit, here’s an easy trail mix recipe that would be a tasty pre or post-rollerskating snack:

Personalized Trail Mix

A great way to get some extra protein in your diet is to make a trail mix. We’ll give you an ingredient list, but really, throw whatever your heart desires in the mix!

Suggested Ingredients

• 1 cup cashews, peanuts, or almonds
• ¾ cup raisins, craisins, dried cherries, or dried apricots
• ½ cup dark chocolate chips
• ¾ sunflower or pumpkin seeds
• 1 ½ cup popcorn
• ½ cup coconut flakes or banana chips for added sweetness

Put everything in a container, give it a good stir or shake, and you have the perfect healthy snack that’ll satisfy your salt cravings and your sweet tooth. Double or triple this recipe and store it in the pantry to last for a few days of snacking.
For ways to get involved with roller skating at Wheels Skating Center or to learn more, Contact Us.

The holidays are here and it’s time to check some gifts off your list! If you have any skaters in your life, these are some ideas that are sure to delight. In fact, if you love to skate, you might even want to consider sending a link to this blog to your own personal “Santa!”

Here are some holiday gift ideas for skaters:

• New Skates –  A new pair of skates is sure to be a hit. For the newest skates, check out Riedell and Southeastern Skate Supply for the latest catalogs and then contact our Pro Shop for help with sizing and current availability.
• Stocking Stuffers – Of course, you don’t always have to go as big as new skates. There are also lots of little stocking stuffers your skater is sure to love too. New wheels or bearings are always appreciated by serious skaters!
• Accessories – Skating is better with a little style. Socks, laces, or even a little skating-themed jewelry makes for a great gift idea for a skater.
• Skate Art – Deck the halls with roller skates! Art is a wonderful gift idea, and there are lots of great skating-themed pieces available online.
• Time with You! – Sometimes the best gifts are experiences, not things! Planning a day out together at Wheels Skate Center is a great unique gift idea for your favorite skating partner.

So visit our Pro Shop today to find the perfect gift for the skater in your life. Or even better yet, check out our holiday hours and make plans to visit our Odenton skating center with them!

It can be hard to get kids excited about learning. That why sometimes it is a good idea to teach kids using fun activities that they’re already interest in. That’s why National STEM Day is a great day to take your kids roller skating in Odenton!

National STEM Day, held annually on November 8th, was created to help teach children about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (commonly referred to as STEM fields). You see, many of the fastest growing occupations in the United States are STEM careers. This means that fostering a love of and interest in STEM fields can give your children a huge advantage in life. Unfortunately, the US’s STEM education is falling behind compared to that of other industrialized countries. Globally, US students rank roughly in the middle based on our children’s science, math, and reading scores.

Teaching STEM with roller skating is a perfect way to get your kids excited about learning.

Physics in roller skating is very important. Friction, acceleration, velocity, inertia, and centrifugal force are all vital components of roller skating. Accelerating, stopping, and moving are all only possible on roller skates because of physics. This makes roller skating a wonderful opportunity to teach your children about the importance of STEM.

So check out our hours and make your plans to visit our Odenton skating center in observance of National STEM Day. You and your family will get some great exercise, have tons of fun, and you will be helping foster a love of STEM fields in your kids!

Wondering what National Roller Skating Month is all about? National Roller Skating Month is held every October in order to promote the sport of skating, connect people with their friendly local skating center, and get more people to enjoy the fun and health benefits of skating!

Skating is an outstanding way to get in shape. As a low impact exercise, it’s perfect for young kids and most older adults as well! Teaching your kids to skate is a great way to foster the habits that will lead to a lifetime of fitness. Skating is also a great exercise because rink skating is perfect for rainy days and cold weather! And of course, skating is social, fun, and family friendly.

So how can you and your family celebrate National Rolling Skating Month? It’s simple! Come to Wheels Skate Center for one of our open skating sessions or book a party today! You can also take advantage of one (or more!) of our many weekly Odenton events. We offer an Adult Nite every Tuesday and a family-friendly Dollar Nite on Wednesdays. If you have young children ages 10 or under, our Saturday Morning Kids Fun Time is perfect!

Don’t worry if you or your children don’t know how to skate – we have a Beginner Skate Class every Tuesday from 6:00-7:00 pm. This is an all ages, drop-in class. Admission is only $5.00 and each class includes a quad skate rental. It’s a great (and inexpensive) way to learn to skate.

Raising kids can be expensive, but that doesn’t mean that you and your family can’t have a little fun. With a little planning and some frugal living tips, you can still have a ball with your family.

In fact, Wheels Skate Center has lots of weekly skate specials so that you can enjoy inexpensive family fun in Odenton! Check out them out below:

• Beginner Skate Lessons – Each Tuesday, we offer beginner skate lessons from 6:00-7:00 pm. This is a great way to teach your children to skate and admission is only $5!
• Adult Skate – Family-fun is important, but don’t forget to make time for yourself. Each Tuesday Night we offer adult skate (21 and up only) from 7:30-9:30 pm. It makes a great date night or moms’ or dads’ night out! Admission is only $5.
• Dollar Night – Each Wednesday night from 7:00-9:30 pm, we have a special dollar skate night. Admission is only $1 (this does not include rental, but you can bring your own skates).
• Kid’s Fun Time –  Each Saturday from 11:00 am-12:30 pm is Kid’s Fun Time! This special morning skate session is for kids 10 & younger (plus their parents) and includes a free 15-minute balance skate lesson. Admission is $5 and skate rentals are included.
• Family Skate – Every Saturday night we offer free admission for Mom and Dad with a paid child admission. Admission is only $8, and skating runs from 8:00-11:00 pm.

So make your plans for a little Odenton family fun today! And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on our all our specials and our special events!

If you love skating as much as us, you’ve probably considered buying your own skates. If you’re still on the fence, check out the pros and cons of buying skates below.

Renting

Renting is a great way to try out quad skates and inlines without needing to make a costly investment. When you rent from us, you don’t have to clean, maintain, or store your skates. If you’re considering getting skates for your children, renting is a great option so that they don’t outgrow their skates as fast as you can buy them!

Of course, when you rent, you’ll be more limited by what’s available, and you’ll have to pay each time you use them. 

Buying

If you skate a lot, buying your own pair of quads or inline skates might be right for you. When you buy from our Pro Shop you can get the exact size, look, and features you want. This freedom is great for more seasoned skaters looking for more precision and customization.

The major downside of renting is that buying might be more expensive than renting (depending on how much you skate). There is also a time and cost commitment to maintaining your own pair of skates.

Do you think the rewards of skate ownership are right for you? Then come visit our Pro Shop!

We carry a ton of skates and skating accessories for sale, including many from Riedell and Southeastern Skate Supply. When you visit our Pro Shop, we’ll help you with fit and sizing. Plus, you can check out the many different styles and features available. And if you don’t find exactly what you are looking for, we’re always more than happy to order what you need!