We live in a time when we have less activity and more screen time. Children are spending more and more time in front of a TV or device rather than up and moving. Schools are cramming in more class time and making less time for recess or PE, which is promoting a sedentary lifestyle.

But is this what’s best for kids? When children are active they’re able to pay better attention in class.  Studies have shown that there is a correlation between physical activity and children’s ability to learn. In Nebraska, a study was conducted of 12,000 students who were tested on their physical fitness through a timed run. Researchers compared the results from the run with students’ test scores and found that the students who were more physically fit had higher test scores. It has also been proven that when students are more physically active, they get better sleep. We all know that we’re not performing our best when we don’t get enough sleep. Better sleep helps kids pay attention in class and remain focused. 

Benefits of Activity for Kids:

• Improved Mood: When we exercise our bodies release endorphins, which are also known as the happy chemical. 
• Better Sleep: Our bodies become tired from exercise, causing us to fall asleep more easily rather than feeling restless right before bed. 
• Increased Memory: Studies have shown that those who exercise are able to distinguish and retain information better than those who don’t. 
• Exercise can be fun!: You can make anything into good physical fitness, whether that’s roller skating or running around outside. Exercise can be done with friends, which makes working out even better.

Here at Chester Skateland, we put a fun spin on exercise. Roller skating has so many health benefits. Just one hour of roller skating burns up to 600 calories! It works muscle groups such as the quads, glutes, abs, calves, and arms. That’s a full body workout! If you’re looking for a good after school activity for your kids, we have you covered. Not only do we offer open skating and roller skating lessons, but we also have a roller hockey program! Exercise is such a vital part of our kids’ health and success. Now let’s make it fun!

Chester Skateland has been around for 40 years, and we pride ourselves on making roller skating fun and accessible to all ages and skill levels. If you’d like to start roller skating in Chester, VA you’ve come to the right place. Check out these frequently asked roller skating questions and answers to start planning your visit! 

How should I dress for a roller skating party? 

Roller skating is a physical activity, so you should dress comfortably in an outfit that gives you a wide range of movement and fits the dress code. And no matter what, make sure to wear or bring socks with you! You won’t be able to rent roller skates without socks, both for hygiene and comfort. Since most skates are cut higher on the ankle, you’ll want to bring tall socks to prevent the top of the boot from rubbing against your skin. 

How old do kids need to be to learn how to roller skate? 

There’s really no hard and fast rule for this; it all depends on your child’s individual development, skills, personality, etc. Some people learn to roller skate as toddlers, but for most kids, 5-8 is a good age range to learn the basics. However, it’s never too late to learn how to roller skate! Our roller skating lessons are a great deal and make it easy to get started. 

What can I expect at the skating rink? 

Well first of all, you can expect to have a lot of fun! Once you get the hang of it, roller skating is a great way to relax, socialize with friends, get some exercise, and enjoy great music. Here at Chester Skateland, we have a Pro Shop with everything you need to customize your skates and your overall look, from wheels and skate bearings to novelties and glow accessories. Expect to hear some classic jams and new favorites that get you in the rhythm. 

Birthday parties come in all shapes and sizes these days, but have you ever hosted a birthday party at a roller skating rink?

If you have, we are giving you all of the reasons why it is time for another. If you haven’t, we’ll give you all of the reasons why it is time for a birthday at Chester Skateland.

What you need to know about Chester Skateland birthday packages:

1. We have three different party packages.
2. You may bring your own dessert.
3. All of our packages come with some sort of food from our fully-stacked food bar.
4. All of our packages include free admission and skate rentals to party guests.
5. There is only a small deposit at time of booking.

We are also running a summer birthday special through August 31st. The package includes admission and skate rentals for the birthday child and ten of their friends, pizza, soda and paper goods. This special is only $99 through the rest of the month and is valid on Saturdays and Sundays, so make your reservation today!

Want to put a fun twist on your roller skating party? We have included a list of fun but safe ways to put a fresh spin on your next Chester Skateland birthday party.

• Wear your favorite sports jersey.
• Have everyone dress in the Birthday girl or boy’s favorite color.
• Make it a white party and bring glow sticks or fun UV face paint.
• Wear your favorite pair of high socks.
• Match your cake or dessert with whatever theme you choose.
• Send out themed invitations or e-vites.

We would love to celebrate you or your loved one’s next birthday with you. If you have any questions about a party or anything roller skating related, don’t hesitate to contact us.

A new pair of custom roller skates today, can cost anywhere between $100 and $1000. So how do you know if you should make the investment or stick with the trusty rentals?

When deciding whether or not to purchase your own pair of roller skates, there are a few factors to consider.

1. Age. This is the most important factor because if your feet are still growing then buying skates is a waste of money. Roller skates are not cheap and if you are still growing then you could need new skates in a matter of months.
2. Frequency. How often you roller skate should play a factor in buying your own pair. If you go monthly or weekly, investing in custom roller skates would be a great idea. However, if you only go every couple of months, we would suggest increasing your time at Chester Skate before investing in your own skates.
3. Budget. Like we said earlier, skates can range a ton in price. For this reason, we suggest finding which boot, wheels and accessories you like and feel best with your feet. From there, see how much the ideal skate for you would cost. Chester Skate Pro Shop has a variety of roller skates and accessories. Stop in or call with any questions you have.

We hope our tips help guide you in the right direction to buy skates or stick with our trusty rentals. If you have any questions about roller skate purchases or anything roller skate related, feel free to contact Chester Skate and we would be happy to help!

Are you learning to roller skate? If so, congratulations! Roller skating is not only a fun social activity, but can also help you stay in shape. Once you’re confident staying upright on skates, it’s time to learn how to stop once you’re in motion. Today, we’re going to teach you how to T-Stop on skates, one of the many skating skills covered in our roller skating lessons! 

How to stop on skates

There are several common methods of stopping on roller skates: 

• Knee Stop (only if wearing knee pads)
• Using the toe stop on quad skates or the heel stop on inline skates
• Plow Stop
• T-Stop

How to do a T-Stop

1. Bend your knees – This is important to lower your center of gravity and help you keep your balance when coming to a stop.
2. Move your feet into position – Your dominant foot should move forward slightly, while your non-dominant foot moves backward. Shift more of your weight onto your dominant/front foot, so that your non-dominant/back foot will be free to reposition. 
3. Make the T – Raise your back foot slightly so that you are gliding on only your front foot. Turn your back foot at a 90 degree angle, perpendicular to your front foot. Gently lower your back foot, allowing it to make contact with the skating rink floor. Continue to keep most of your weight on your front foot. 
4. Maintain your trajectory – Keep your hips facing forward in line with your front foot. If you allow your hips to open up or get pulled to the side, you’ll start to veer off course, which could result in a collision with another skater. 
5. Come to a stop – Continue dragging your back foot until you come to a stop. The more pressure you apply to that foot, the faster you’ll stop – but be careful not to stomp down too abruptly or you may lose your balance. 

If you want to learn more basic roller skating skills, we encourage you to join our skating lessons at Chester Skateland! And remember, practice makes perfect, so you can always come out to our open skating sessions to hone your skills and have a great time! 

Summer is in session and families throughout Chesterfield County and greater Richmond are looking to make the most of the break before school starts back. Sound familiar? If you’re looking for summer activities in Chester, you’ve come to the right place. Chester Skate Land is the place to go for family fun, and here’s why!

Roller Skating: All Ages Summer Fun

• Skating is cool – in more ways than one! The hottest days of summer can make you feel like you’re stepping into a frying pan when you step out of your front door. But cooped-up kids stuck inside are a recipe for bickering, binge-watching TV, raiding the pantry, and other couch-potato shenanigans most parents would prefer to avoid. Fortunately, roller skating at Chester Skate Land is a great indoor activity that will let your kids burn off some energy without risking sunburn, bug bites, and heat stroke!
• Roll at your own speed. One of the many reasons roller skating has been a beloved American pastime for generations is because it’s a family-friendly activity that all ages can enjoy. Kids can start learning to skate as young as 2 or 3 years old, and many skaters continue to enjoy the activity well into their senior years.
• You don’t have to be rolling in dough to participate! As many parents know all too well, amusement parks and other family entertainment options can be prohibitively expensive when the cost of entry is multiplied by 2 or more kids. Roller skating, on the other hand, is an affordable summer activity that won’t break the bank. Admission generally ranges from $5 to $7 dollars depending on the session, and you can save even more by visiting on Two For Tuesday!

Ready to rock ‘n roll with us? Give us a call at 804-748-0379 with any questions about your visit! You’ll find us at 2300 Southland Drive, Chester, VA.

When you hear the phrase “aerobic exercise” what do you immediately picture in your head? I picture an elderly woman in a pool with foam weights, a flowered swim cap, aqua socks and ear plugs. Today aerobic exercising includes a number of different activities and sports.

As a little refresher, an aerobic exercise is one that works on the strengthening of your heart and lungs and improving the body’s utilization of oxygen. Examples of everyday aerobic exercises include walking, running, cycling or spinning, tennis, skating dancing and many more.

As mentioned above, roller skating is a great aerobic exercise. If you are a skater wanting to improve skate stamina or just want to take up roller skating as a hobby or exercise, we have a few different ideas to help improve your aerobic endurance. For our new skaters, we have skate lessons available weekly at Chester. For our experienced skaters that want to practice and improve, check out our schedule for open skates, late night skates and more.

First way to improve your aerobic endurance would be a combination of walking and running in increments. As your strength and endurance builds, increase your run time and overall time. Another option is to rotate between different aerobic exercises. By switching your training method you will work different muscles as well as challenge your heart, lungs, and body in differently each day. By switching it up, your body will not be able to get used to or comfortable in a certain workout.

Whether you are running, walking or roller skating aerobic exercise is crucial to maintain heart health throughout your life. We have attached a graphic below with some awesome facts about roller skating and its health benefits. This graphic will make you reconsider using roller skating as an exercise instead of just a hobby.