Skating is like walking: you have to learn one step at a time. However, it’s also like riding a bike: Once you learn how to roller skate, it’s a skill you’ll have for life. Whether you’re learning to roller skating or you’re an unofficial pro trying to take your skills to the next level, we have the equipment to help you have a blast.

All roller skating rinks are a circular shape and are enclosed. This means you can learn to skate while holding on to the side of the rink. It is best to begin walking in your skates while holding on to the railing. From there, you can begin to glide with help from the side. Once you feel confident enough, let go and roll!

If you’re an intermediate or advanced skater, remember to be considerate of new skaters. Stick to the insides and middle of the rink to practice speed, footwork, or new tricks.

Whether or not you are confident in your ability, we always encourage safety equipment for all skate levels. We have attached a short video for those who have never skated before.

Some things to remember when buying a pair of roller skates:

• Size. You should always try your skates on before buying them, but typically you’ll need your shoe size or the next size up.
• What kind of skating you like. Different styles of skating require different skates and accessories. Do you want to focus on a particular style of skating, or do you want to be able to use your skates for various styles? The answers to these questions will affect which skates you buy.
• Type of wheel. Wheel diameter, hardness, tread, and material all affect your ride, so make sure you do your research on which will work best for you.
• How to lace your skates. If you have a wide forefoot, leave some space in between when lacing. If your skates are feeling too tight, lace up parallel style. If you have high arches, open up the middle. If you have heel slippage, secure the top with double lacing while regularly lacing the rest. If you’re not confident in learning on your own, talk to the pros! We offer skate lessons at Chester and our pros are always available to help.
• Breaking in your new skates. Besides using your new skates, applying heat and leather conditioner will help break in your skates. Also, tightening up your laces and doubling up on socks while breaking in your skates will relieve any pressure.

We hope we’ve helped you with the basics of roller skating and buying your own gear. Check out or schedule and upcoming events to show off your new roller skating skills.

You may not know that there are several different types of roller skating that have risen and fallen in popularity over the years. Different styles of roller skating include artistic roller skating, freestyle roller skating, precision teams, speed skating, group skating, and jam skating. Most are pretty self-explanatory, but we want to dive a little deeper into jam skating.

What is jam skating? Well, it’s a combination of roller skating, gymnastics, and dancing. Jam skating really began gaining popularity in the 90’s. It originated in the tradition of roller disco, but the breakdancing and music of the 1990’s had a major influence on jam skating as a style. Eventually, jam skate events formed so skaters could get together, socialize, exchange moves, and battle one another, just like a breakdance competition. The jam skate battles pushed skaters to try risky, innovative, and unexpected moves just to win a battle.

Want to see what all the fuss is about? Check out this YouTube video to see a jam skating competition in action.

There are several different styles, moves, and dances associated with jam skating, but there are four styles that rule the rink.

1. Footwork. This is pretty self-explanatory; it focuses on different moves using mainly your feet and the skates/brakes.
2. Power. This jam skate style is the most like break dancing, with head stands, spins, and other gravity defying tricks.
3. Ground breaking. Instead of moving around the rink, this skating style features small, intricate moves that push off the floor like toe-dancing, spot-skating, and crazy leg.
4. Rexing/Shuffle skating. This is moving forward or backwards to the beat around the rink.

Jam skating events still happen today throughout the United States in places like Carrollton, Georgia and Sandy, Utah. Want to join in the fun? Dance over to Chester to practice your jam skating moves. We have Old School Night every Sunday and a Cosmic Storm Glow Party to benefit the Red Cross scheduled for April. Check out our website for our full skating schedule with open skate times and themed nights.

Are you feeling the love or do you need help getting your blood pumping?

February is American Heart Month and we are here to remind you that there are plenty of ways to improve your heart health while having fun.

We have attached this graphic from www.rollerskating.com to show you some statistics when it comes to using roller skating as a form of exercise.

Not only is roller skating safer than contact sports but it is easier on the joints than running. Most of the time, roller skating will keep your heart in the fat burning (orange) zone but can increase your heart rate to the cardio zone as well. The average person will burn about 600 calories during a one-hour session. How long do you have to be on an elliptical to do that?

According to healthfitnessrevolution.com, these are the ten top health benefits of roller skating:

1. Easy on the joints. Roller skating gives you same aerobic benefits without the strain to your joints.
2. Great cross training exercise.
3. Calorie/fat burning.
4. Good for mood health.
5. Builds muscles in your arms and legs.
6. Great for balance, agility and coordination.
7. Strengthens the heart. Roller skating is recognized as an aerobic exercise by the American Heart Association.
8. Improves endurance. Not only does it build muscles but it helps maintain muscle strength.
9. Can be done anywhere (but Chester is our favorite!)
10. Good for social health

If you’re worried about your roller skating skills, check out our skating lesson options. Whether your doctor said you need to work on your heart health or you are just want to try new things with your family in 2019, come down to Chester Skateland for healthy family fun.

The weather outside is frightful and those new iPads for the kids have been delightful, but tell the kids about Skateland and they’ll say, “let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!”

Unsure of something indoors to do with your children during winter vacation? Want to keep them away from the screens this holiday break? Spend some quality family time at our skate facility during our holiday hours.

December 15th we will have our Christmas in Candyland night featuring DJ James Acors from 8- 11 pm. There will be special guests including Santa and Mrs. Claus and the Grinch. There will be open skate, hot chocolate, and a tacky Christmas sweater contest. There will also be some fundraisers going on including face painting, gingerbread house building, and a bake sale. Get ready for the holidays with your family at our Christmas Party.

If you can’t make it to our Christmas party, we’ll be hosting weekly theme nights where the entire family can get in on the fun and even win returning visits for best costume. The December 23rd theme is all things Christmas with public skating until 9:30 pm. We finish out the year with an old school themed spirit night on the 30th.

This year, we are also hosting a New Year’s Eve party at Skateland filled with hats, horns, balloon drop and a bunch of other games.

6 Reasons Spending Time With Family is Important:

1. Builds self-esteem
2. Creates bond
3. Nurtures positive behaviors
4. Creates memories
5. Healthy lifestyle
6. Relieves stress

Chose any of our open skate times from our schedule, but it is key to remember the importance of spending time as a family regardless of the craziness life can throw at us. We hope you have a wonderful holiday season with your loved ones and are thankful to have you as a customer.

Holiday parties are a great place to enjoy coworkers in a different setting, reunite with friends and family you haven’t seen and just enjoy the company of others. The holiday season is also about traditions. Whether you are keeping a tradition alive or starting new traditions, we have some pointers on how to make your holiday party the best yet.

1. Choose a date that works for key guests (not everyone will always be able to make it)
2. Find an appropriate yet fun venue (Chester Skateland still has holiday availability!)
3. Send beautiful invites (or evites)
4. Choose a festive theme
5. Set up a hot coca bar

If you need help coming up with some unique holiday themes to give your party the edge, then we’ve got you covered with our list:

• Choose a favorite holiday movie and theme your party around it (A Christmas Story, Elf, A Christmas Carol, Bad Santa, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, etc.)
• Have parents dress up as Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus and have all of the children dress as elves
• Get in the spirit of “Mele Kalikimaka” with an island themed holiday party
• Do a giving back theme by picking you and your family’s favorite hangout and asking each guest to bring a gift or toy to donate to an important cause

We hope some of these ideas helped with the planning of your 2018 holiday party. We would be happy to host any holiday party for anyone from corporate to church groups. Our spots are filling up quick, so please call us as soon as possible to get your spot reserved.

We hope you have a relaxing Thanksgiving and holiday season spent surrounded by friends, family and warm food.