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. 

As Dr. Seuss said, “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” If you skate regularly and have decided to buy your own roller skates, you probably already want to stand out with your own skates and style. Read on to learn how to customize roller skates to make them totally YOU. 

3 Ways to Customize Your Skates

• Laces, Pom Poms, and Skate Covers – The possibilities are endless when you change up the colors and patterns of your skate laces and other accessories. Pom Poms are a fun way to add some personality, while skate covers are not only decorative, but also functional, protecting your skate boots from scuffs and scrapes. 
• Wheels, Bearings, Plates, and Trucks – The longer you skate, the more you’ll learn about how different pieces of the overall skate fit together to impact the “ride” and performance of the skates. Whether you’re trying to make your skates faster or improve responsiveness, visit our pro shop for help choosing the components that will take your skates to the next level. 
• Other Gear – Don’t forget to trick out your skate bag as well! You can get skate bags in lots of colors, not to mention all the possibilities for decorating with patches or stickers. You can also express yourself with different colors and patterns on your helmet, wrist guards, and elbow/knee pads. 

At Wheels Skate Center, we carry a wide selection of roller skates and skate accessories in our Odenton, MD pro shop. Looking for something we don’t have in stock? Just let us know and we’ll be happy to order it for you!

Roller skates have come a long way, baby! From an 18th century party trick gone awry to a beloved American pastime, roller skates have changed quite a bit through the years. Check out some facts about the evolution of roller skates, and visit us at Wheels Skating Center to pick out your own set of wheels at our skating pro shop!  

1760: Started from the bottom, now we’re crashing into a mirror.

Roller skates have not always been a smooth ride. The first pair of “skaites” was created by noted tinkerer and inventor Joseph Merlin, whose design basically substituted the blade of an ice skate for two wheels in line, making them the first ever inline skates. Unfortunately, Merlin’s design didn’t go too much farther than that, and he learned the hard way that he should have included some sort of braking mechanism. 

1819: Roll with the changes.

In 1819, French inventor Monsieur Petibledin filed a patent for a skate with a wood sole and up to four rollers of copper, wood, or ivory arranged in a straight line. Unfortunately, much like the earlier iterations of roller skates, they were quite hard to use, as they could only roll straight forward and back. 

1863: At last, quad skates have come along.

Roller skates got a major upgrade in 1863, when inventor James Plimpton had the idea to create a pair of skates with two parallel sets of wheels – two in the front, and two in the back. And thus the quad skate was born! Quad skates are what most people learn to skate on, and are what you’ll get if you rent skates at our Odenton skating rink. Plimpton’s design not only revolutionized the placement of roller skate wheels, but also introduced rubber springs, making them the first land skate (as opposed to ice skates) that could travel on a curve.

Late 1800s On: Getting better all the time. 

Roller skates continued to improve over the years, with new developments like ball bearings which allowed wheels to roll smoother and faster, and new materials (especially plastics) making skates much more lightweight. In the 1980s, the Olson brothers even revisited the in-line design of the original roller skates, updating them with modern materials and brakes.

Over the years, roller skate manufacturers have continued to innovate and improve on skates, giving us the huge variety of roller skates that we have today, from roller derby and jam skates to speed skates and artistic skates. Next time you’re looking for fun things to do in Odenton, come skate with us at Wheels!

Time flies when you’re having fun, and this sure has been a fun summer! While it may be hard to believe, there’s actually less than a month until the first day of school in Odenton. If you have a child in elementary, middle, or high school – or if you teach school – consider planning a back-to-school class party at Wheels Skate Center. 

Why Plan a Back-To-School Party? 

While summer break is a much-needed respite for teachers, parents, and kids alike, it can also be pretty disruptive to learning and socialization for some kids. Check out just a few reasons why you should plan a back-to-school skating party in Odenton this year. 

• Skating is great for breaking the ice. Instead of those boring icebreaker games we’ve all played dozens of times, doing a group activity gives everyone the opportunity to meet and mingle in a more natural, low-pressure environment. Plus, roller skating is sure to put everyone in a good mood, ideal for making friends and first-impressions. 
• Skating parties are for everyone. Especially when it comes to elementary and middle school students, it’s important to choose a venue and/or activity that the whole family can attend. Many students have younger siblings, so a roller skating party is an ideal way to ensure the whole family can come without having to get a sitter. 
• We put the FUN in fundraiser parties! If you’re getting a group together at the skating rink anyway, why not kill two birds with one stone by soliciting donations for your school, organization, or project? We offer school fundraiser events as well as private parties, so you can choose the event that’s right for your group. 

Want to schedule an event with us? Please fill out our reservation request form to get started. 

Do you know how to roller skate? If you’re comfortable gliding, stopping, and doing laps on the skating rink without holding onto anything, congratulations! You’ve graduated from “Skating 101” and are ready to take your skating up a notch. Learn how to do 3 easy skating tricks that you can show off at our Odenton skating rink during your next visit! 

How to skate backwards 

To start skating backwards, first take stock of your surroundings and make sure you’re not going to run into anyone! Position your feet in a “V” with toes pointed inward. Remember to keep a slight bend in your knees, and keep your weight evenly distributed across both legs. 

Apply gentle pressure with the toe of your dominant foot while lifting the other foot. This will push you backwards. Place your other foot down and push with your toe while lifting your dominant foot. By alternating these steps you will start to move backwards. 

Remember to keep your core engaged and look over your shoulder every so often so you don’t run into anything or anyone! 

How to moonwalk on skates

Once you’re confident in your ability to skate backwards, you can try moonwalking on skates! Start with one skate on the floor and the other pointed down, so your toe stopper is holding you in place. Push off from the toe stop, allowing yourself to glide backwards on the other skate. Alternate sides to continue moonwalking across the skating rink. It’s best to start slow and gradually speed up as you gain more confidence. 

How to skate on one foot

Another roller skating trick to try is skating on one foot! You can start with short bursts and work your way up to gliding for a longer amount of time. Remember to shift your weight to stay balanced. 

The best way to get better at roller skating tricks is to practice, so join us at Wheels Skate Center whenever you want to hit the rink. Or if you really want to take your roller skating skills to the next level, sign up for our Odenton skating classes!

Whether you love stylish skates or you prefer the simplicity of rentals, we’re here to help you decide whether it’s time to buy your own roller skates.

Did you know that if you rented skates once a week for a year, it would cost over $300? When you bring a date or your kids, that number multiplies quickly. But how do you know if you really need your own pair of roller skates? Well, there are a few things to consider when making your decision and we’ve broken them down below.

What to consider before buying a pair of roller skates:

1. Age. Age is the most important factor to consider. Skates are an investment and if your kids’ feet are still growing, then it’s an investment wasted. Wait a few years or look into adjustable skates.
2. Frequency. As we mentioned earlier, if you rent roller skates often it can really add up. However, if you don’t skate frequently then it may be worth paying the rental fee each time you skate.
3. Fashion. Skates are completely customizable. If you’re over the rental skate’s basic color scheme, then design a pair of skates that are just your style.
4. Budget. There are skates and accessories in every style, color and price range. Do some research and compare your favorite styles vs. what’s in your price range. We have an awesome pro shop with a variety of options for you to choose from. If we don’t have what you’re looking for in stock, we can get within a week.

Not sure if you’re ready to invest in new skates? Test out a few rental options while you take advantage of our summer specials. Whatever skates you’re taking for a spin, there’s always fun to be had at Wheels.