Wheels Skating Center

1200 Odenton Road | Odenton, MD | (410) 674-9661 | P.O. Box 439

Skating 101: Dress to Impress

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Since it’s still near the beginning of the year, let’s go back to basics for some Skating 101! At Wheels Skate Center we see a lot of awesome styles, but we want to talk about how to dress for the skating rink.

Lesson One: Socks!

Always wear socks when you roller skate. For one thing, it will save a lot of wear and tear on your feet, prevent blisters, and help your skates fit better, which in turn will help prevent you from slipping. That’s not all, though. The inside of your skates is already host to a lot of moisture and odor. Skipping socks intensifies that and can cause some pretty gross funk. Plus, are you renting your skates? We clean each pair, but do you really want to share skates with someone who doesn’t wear socks?

Lesson Two: Dress the Part

You want to make sure that your pants or skirt aren’t so long that they’re going to drag the ground–this is a safety hazard, as it could cause you to trip and fall and really hurt yourself. Fitted clothes will probably serve you best, and with all that exercise you’re sure to work up a sweat, so skip the sweater or wear layers!

Lesson Three: Pick Your Skates

Do you want quads (i.e. the traditional skates with two wheels in the front and two in the back) or inline skates? That depends on you! Quads are easier for balance but inlines give you better maneuverability.

Now that you’ve got the basics, come join us for some open skating at Wheels Skate Center!

3 Budget-Friendly Valentine’s Day Date Activities

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Valentine's Day dessertsAre you searching for a fun (and affordable) Valentine’s Day date night activity? Your special someone loves feeling appreciated, but you don’t need to go broke to impress your S.O. Thankfully, there are plenty of budget-friendly Valentine’s Day activities that are as fun as they are affordable!

Check out these affordable Valentine’s Day date night activities:

Visit the Roller Skating Rink

If you want to completely surprise your date, take her to the roller rink! This activity is affordable and fun! (Plus, you’ll get to hold her hand, which is always a great bonus.) Visit Wheels Skate Center all year for an entertaining activity that’s also great for your health.

Make Dinner & Desserts at Home

Going out to eat on Valentine’s Day is what everybody does. Why don’t you switch it up a bit by making a homemade meal instead? Bake a sweet dessert with your special someone after you’re finished with dinner! You’ll be able to have quality time together without breaking the bank. After dinner, you can watch a Valentine’s Day movie or play games together.

Host a Game Night

Speaking of games, Valentine’s Day is a great night to play fun games! If you want, invite other couples over to have a game night with friends. Fun games include charades, Pictionary, Fibbage, and more. You, your date, and your friends will have a blast playing games and laughing together.

The team at Wheels Skate Center hopes you have a great Valentine’s Day! If you want to learn more about planning the perfect roller-skating date, contact us today.

Make Time for Fun in 2018

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Everybody says they want to have more fun, but how many of us actually follow through? At Wheels Skate Center we think the new year is the perfect time to stop making excuses and prioritize having a good time. If you’re having trouble convincing your shoulder angel to let down their hair a bit, check out some of our favorite excuses to have fun!

  • It’s Good For You. You’ve heard the expression that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. It probably won’t drive you crazy like it did in The Shining, but it is worth taking the chance? Blowing off steam will reduce stress and put you in a better mood.

  • Life Is Short. People’s top regrets often include things like “I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.” Getting together with friends, family, and loved ones is one of the most important things you’ll do in life.

  • Celebrate! The major holidays are over, so what could we celebrate? How about lacing up your skates for an obscure holiday, like National Measure Your Feet Day on January 23rd? Honestly, though, you don’t need a reason to party. Just being with friends is reason enough.

Between our special events and regular hours, Wheels Skate Center is a great place to have a good time. Not only that, but if you really need to feel like you’re improving yourself, know that roller skating is good exercise! Gather your friends and family, put on some comfy socks, and come visit us as the skating rink.

 

Get Healthy in 2018 with Roller Skating!

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roller skatingWas “get in shape” or “exercise more” one of your New Year’s resolutions? Well, roller skating is one of the best ways to accomplish this resolution (and, you get to have fun)! Skating helps you improve balance, increase endurance, boost your mood, and much more.

Did you know that Wheels Skate Center offers skating classes? Check out the details.

Discover why roller skating is great for your health:

Improves Balance

When you roller skate for the first time, your balance may be a little off. It’s tough to balance on wheels! However, with time and practice, you’ll be skating like a professional! Roller skating strengthens your lower back muscles and abdominal muscles – which in turn improves your balance while you walk, run, skate, and do other activities.

Increases Endurance

Do you ever walk up the stairs or go for a brisk jog and feel out of breath? Roller skating can help! When you roller skate, you are increasing your endurance. (Endurance is how long you can withstand physical or mental efforts.) So strap on skates and improve your endurance! You will see the difference on and off the rink.

Boosts Your Mood

When you roller skate, your body releases endorphins – the “feel good hormones.” These hormones interact with your brain, and your brain produces positive feelings throughout your body. Other activities that enable the release of endorphins are laughing, eating chocolate, listening to music, and working out.

So come to Wheels Skate Center for a great workout and fun time! Check out our hours, then visit us today.

Cool Winter Birthday Parties at Wheels!

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With all the activities (and sometimes chaos) of the holiday season, it’s easy to overlook the other important celebrations: winter birthdays! Don’t let your child feel left out or overshadowed because their birthday falls during this busy time. Here are some tips to plan a winter birthday party from Wheels Skate Center.

  • Outsource. You’re tired, you’re stressed, your house is in chaos. Don’t add to the insanity! Host a party at Wheels Skate Center and we do the work for you. Not only do we provide food, drinks, tableware, and activities, but your party package comes with a Party Host or Hostess to keep things running on schedule and handle the setup and cleanup. You’ll be free to worry about the rest of the party etiquette or–call us crazy–to relax and enjoy the party!
  • Be Flexible. Remember that you may need to pick a day for a party that isn’t your child’s actual birthday. Consider a small family celebration the day of and then have a party for friends later, when it’s more convenient.

  • Start Early. Give yourself and your guests plenty of time to plan for this extra event and everyone will have more fun.

  • Don’t Combine Presents! Remember: you should never combine Christmas and birthday presents for children born around the holidays. This is an expensive time of year, it’s true, but each celebration should have a specific gift, or your child may feel like their birthday was just tacked onto the holiday season. Make sure that grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc. know this family policy as well.

With a little extra effort, a winter birthday party can be just as special as a summer party. Contact Wheels Skate Center today and let’s start planning!

Holiday Gift Guide for Roller Skaters!

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presentsAre you struggling to think of gifts now that it’s December and time is running out? Check out our Skating Gift Guide from Wheels Skate Center in Odenton, MD!

Skates make a great gift! The Wheels pro shop is open whenever our skate center is; come on down to browse our stock, with or without your skater. The investment will make everyone happy. Parents will save money every time they go to the skate center, and kids will get a chance to practice at home. Even if your skater already owns their own pair, they may have been dying for a new set. Plus, it’s always handy to have extras in case of loss or damage.

If you don’t need to get anyone new skates, don’t forget about all the necessary skating accessories. Consider getting something boring but important like a helmet or knee pads, but look for favorite colors and include some stickers to make it a little more special. If you’re looking for something more fun, check out some special skate socks or new laces. There are also plenty of fun treats for the roller skater in your life. Totes and bags are a fun way to show off their hobby, and also useful for carrying their skating gear. T-shirts or jewelry, like charm bracelets, earrings, and keyrings, will also be welcome.

Don’t forget that the most important gift is the gift of time. Bring your skater to Wheels Skate Center for a few hours of togetherness any time we’re open!

Halloween Safety Tips for Parents and Kids

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Halloween is one of our favorite holidays, and with candy, costumes, and fun decorations, why wouldn’t it be? It’s a great holiday for kids, but it makes many parents feel nervous. Want to have a fun and safe holiday with the kids? Check out these Halloween safety tips from Wheels Skate Center. halloween

  • Costume Safety. Costumes are a great place to start! Make sure they fit properly, with no tripping hazards. Light-colored costumes are safest, as they make it easy for drivers to see kids on the side of the road. Reflective tape and glow bracelets will help with this as well. Masks should have eye holes large enough to see well. If you use paint on faces, make sure it’s makeup or face paint quality.
  • Candy Safety. An adult should check over all candy before kids eat it. Look for damaged wrappers, unusual appearance, or anything that just seems weird to you. Kids shouldn’t eat anything homemade or not commercially wrapped unless you know the person who made it. Make sure kids eat a good dinner with plenty of veggies and drink plenty of water before going out for candy.
  • Trick-or-Treat Safety. If kids are going trick-or-treating alone, make sure you know their route and when they will be home. Tell them to stay on sidewalks and never enter anyone’s house.

And don’t forget about Wheels Skate Center’s Halloween Costume Skate on October 27! Our Halloween skate is a fun, safe activity to celebrate this great holiday. Just make sure costumes are safe for skating. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for more information. We can’t wait to see you and your family!

3 Simple Ways to Improve Your Roller Skating Game

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Learn How to Roller SkateSkating is an incredibly fun activity that gives you a great workout. Do you want to know the best part? Anyone can do it!

Whether you’re new to roller skating or have been racing around the rink for a while, check out the following tips for both beginners and intermediate skaters to observe.

Practice Roller Skating Indoors First

When you first learn how to roller skate, it can be a challenge. Even though you know the basics of roller skating, actually putting it into action is tough. Practice your walking, rolling, and gliding on a carpeted floor. So, if you fall, it won’t hurt so much!

Maybe you know the roller skating basics but want to try a new trick. Carpeted floor will be your new best friend. Make sure to wear your roller skating gear even though you are on carpet!

Take Roller Skating Classes

Learn how to roller skate from a trained professional. Our roller skating classes are suited for all ages and abilities! We offer two types of classes: beginner and intermediate. Our staff will teach you the basics such as balance, posture, safety, forward and backward skating, starting and stopping. For only $5 per class, this is an inexpensive and fun way to learn how to roller skate!

Wear Protective Gear Every Time You Skate

Protective gear is so incredibly important when you’re taking part in any physical activity. It not only saves you time and money spent in the emergency room but also saves your body from getting beat up. Even the professionals wear roller skating gear. So strap on your helmet, pull up your kneepads, fasten your elbow pads and wrist guards, and start skating today!

Contact Wheels skating center today with any questions!

Teach Your Child How to Roller Skate in 3 Easy Steps

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roller skatingTeaching your child how to roller skate can be one of the most rewarding times of parenthood. They will develop confidence in themselves while having fun! Teach your child how to skate by following these three easy steps: wear the right gear, teach the roller skating basics, and take advantage of our skate lessons.

Learn all about your Odenton skating rink!

Dress for Success

Roller skating is extremely fun, but even the pro’s have taken some falls. In order to reduce the amount of bruises and scrapes, make sure that your child wears a helmet, wrist guard, and knee and elbow pads. (High socks are important too so your little one doesn’t get blisters). With this safety gear, there will be less tears and more enjoyment!

Teach the Basics

Roller skating is a lot like walking … except on wheels! Teaching your child the basics of roller skating will increase his confidence. First, let your child practice walking in his skates on grass or carpet until he can maintain balance. Then, show him how to roll in his skates while holding your hand. When he feels confident in rolling, teach him to pick up his feet one at a time and step forward in a diagonal direction and propel himself forward. He will be skating around the rink in no time!

Take Advantage of Our Skate Lessons

We provide skate classes for only $5! This cost includes a quad skate rental and a full hour of lessons. With this class, you will skate more confidently and enjoy it much more. Not sure if your skills are good enough for our skate class? Don’t worry about that! Our skate class is open for all ages and abilities. Bring the whole family to the class!

Feel free to contact us with any question you have.

Take Skate Fitness to the Next Level

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Roller-skating makes family fitness easy. It’s great for burning calories, improving heart health, and improving muscle strength and flexibility. If you want to maintain a good fitness level, all you need to do is skate around the rink to your favorite top 40’s tunes. But if you’re ready to take your skate fitness to the next level, we have everything you need right here.

Roller-Skating as Cross-Training

Athletes are always in search of new cross-training exercises. Roller-skating may not be the first one to come to mind, but once you add it to your rotation, you’ll never go back. Skating builds muscle tone, flexibility, agility, and endurance. It’s easy to learn and fun to do. Best of all, it’s low-impact, so you can give your joints a rest before getting back in the game. Ready to roll? Here’s what you need to know.

3 Tips for Toning Muscles on Skates

  1. speed skating competitionSpeed skate. The faster you go, the better cardio. Warm up your hamstrings, thighs, and glutes with a few leisurely trips around the rink. Then it’s time to tackle speed work! Skate just under your top speed for 20 seconds. Reduce your speed for 40 seconds, then indulge your need for speed again. Repeat for 10 minutes. As you build muscle tone, you’ll also build endurance, allowing you to skate for longer periods of time.
  2. Get low. Are you engaging your glutes, hamstrings, and lower back? You will if you squat! To squat while you skate, lean forward and stick out your derriere, sinking down about 45 degrees. Alternate off skating straight and in the squatting position. You’ll tone those hamstrings in no time!
  3. Weave. Introduce a new move to your skating arsenal by weaving around the rink as if you’re weaving in and out of traffic cones. This move will develop the muscles in your outer thighs, hips, and obliques. Just watch out for other skaters!

Whether you’re a semi-professional skater or you just want a fun way to tone your legs, skate fitness can help you achieve your goals. Skip the gym membership and skate at Wheels!