Renting vs. Buying Skates: Which Should You Choose?

August 3, 2018 by Writers

If you’re a regular here at Southwestern Skate Center, chances are you’ve rented skates from us. Renting is a great way to start out because you can try both quad and inline skates to figure out which you prefer. However, if you visit regularly, you may start to want your own pair of skates. Fortunately, we can help with that!

If you’re caught in the conundrum of whether or not to buy skates, don’t worry! We walk you through the decision below.

To Buy or Not to Buy?

When considering whether or not to buy your own skates, the obvious place to start is price! If you skate every week, those skate rental fees can start to add up. Investing in a high-quality pair of skates will be more expensive in the short term, but can save you some serious dough in the long term!

It’s also important to consider shoe size. For instance, if you’re considering buying skates for your child, you may want to continue renting until their feet reach a mostly stable size.

Roller skating is not only a fun, family-friendly activity, it’s also a great way to stay in shape, with health benefits for kids and adults alike. If you’re hooked on skating, you can say goodbye to rental fees and pick out a pair of skates that is perfectly suited to your skating needs and personal style. Just head over to our online skating pro shop to find quad and inline skates, equipment, and accessories from top skating brands like VNLA, Sure-Grip, Bones Bearings, and more.

12 Ideas To Keep Your Kids Entertained During Summer

July 12, 2018 by Writers

Summer has a few more weeks left to its name and we bet your kids are starting to get bored. Understandably, they’re used to being with other kids their age 180 days out of the year. So, how do you keep your kids from becoming couch potatoes? The team at Southwestern Skate put together 12 ideas to keep your kids active in the summer. Have something to add? Let us know your family’s favorite summer activity!

Build a homemade slip ‘n slide
Build a treehouse
Camp in your backyard
Climb a tree
Create your own outdoor movie theater
Discover new hiking/biking trails
Go to the roller skating rink
Host a water balloon fight
Jump on the trampoline
Plant a vegetable garden in your backyard
Play board games outside
Swim at the local pool

All of these are awesome ideas to keep your kids entertained during the summer. When they’re outside, make sure they wear plenty of sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat to cover their neck and ears, and polarized sunglasses to protect their eyes. These suggestions will keep your kids healthy and happy.

We won’t be surprised if your kids will literally jump off the couch when you suggest you head to Southwestern Skate. Roller skating is a fun activity that they’ll love and they’ll be getting awesome exercise. (And, if your child has a summer birthday, the roller skating rink is the place to be!) Check out our summer schedule and head to the rink today! Feel free to bring their friends, your family, and anyone else who loves a good time.

Be Cool at the Skating Rink

May 31, 2018 by Writers

Our mamas always told us to be polite. Next time you’re visiting Southwest Skate Center, whether for open skating or a party, make sure you’re following these rules of skating etiquette!

Go the Right Way! Make sure you follow the flow of traffic on the skate floor. Generally speaking, that means counter-clockwise, but sometimes that will change. The DJ will announce if everyone should be going the other way. Whichever direction other people are skating, make sure to follow that even if you’re going backwards. Dance and practice tricks in the center. Slower skaters should stay towards the wall.
Listen Up. Always pay attention to what the SW Skate staff tell you and follow their instructions. We’re here to make sure everyone has a good time in a safe environment, so we need everyone to agree to follow the rules.
Just Be Nice. Ultimately, good etiquette is about making everyone comfortable. Don’t cut the line at the concession stand or the bathroom, take someone else’s table, or steal items from people. Watch your language, and watch out for others, especially younger kids and skaters who aren’t as good as you.
Wear Socks! This may not seem like a question of etiquette, but think about it–would you want to wear a skate that someone’s bare, sweaty foot has been in? We don’t think so!

If you have questions or concerns, remember that our friendly staff are here to help. We love to roller skate and we want everyone to have a great time doing, so join us at Southwest Skate Center!

Why You Need to Book Your Summer Party at Southwestern Skate

May 2, 2018 by Writers

Parents, we know that summer can be challenging. Your kids are home all day, and after about a week of relaxation, they’re itching to have some summer fun. Skating at Southwestern Skate is the answer! When you bring them to our skate center, they will meet new friends, get great exercise, and much more. Discover the benefits of roller skating during the summer:

Fun Social Activity

It’s not uncommon for kids to lose touch with friends or not hang out with their classmates over the summer. This can be tough for kids since they’re so used to being with other people roughly 200 days out of the year. To make sure they don’t feel lonely, bring your kids and their friends to Southwestern Skate! Roller skating is a great activity where they can strengthen friendships or develop new ones.

Unique Summer Birthday Parties

If your child’s birthday party falls during the summer, it’s likely that you have pool parties or barbecues to celebrate. But, to mix it up, bring your birthday girl to the skating rink! We have an incredible party package that we know both you and your birthday girl will love. Skating is fun, safe, and totally air-conditioned.

Don’t have a birthday party to celebrate this summer? Book a summer sports party for your athletes or an end-of-school-year party for your students!

Enjoyable Way to Exercise

Without school sports, many kids become couch potatoes over the summer. You can get your kids to exercise without even realizing it by taking them skating! When they roller skate, they’re working out their leg muscles, improving their heart health, and burning calories all at once.

Bring your kids, friends, neighbors, or athletes to Southwestern Skate this summer! Contact us to book a party. We’d love to be your go-to party venue in Oklahoma City!

3 Ways to Keep Your Roller Skates in Top Condition

April 3, 2018 by Writers

Spring is officially here! In the spirit of spring cleaning, it’s a good idea to give your roller skates a checkup, too. By cleaning and repairing your skates, you are increasing your skates’ longevity. They’ll last longer which means you’ll have more fun and stay fit in the process! Consider these simple ways to keep your roller skates in good condition:

Air Them Out

Naturally, your feet sweat when you roller skate. When you get home or leave the rink, air out your skates to ensure bacteria doesn’t grow. Also, you want to give your feet the attention they deserve such as soaking them, changing your socks regularly, and wearing the right sized shoes.

Tighten the Trucks & Toe Stopper

Trucks and the toe stopper are two essential items to your skates. The trucks keep your skates stable and the toe stopper is your skates’ brakes. Both can become loose over time. Simply make it a habit to check both skate parts and tighten them with a crescent wrench. (It’s also important to check your wheels to ensure they’re not coming loose.)

Clean Your Skates

If you skate often at the rink or even outside, it’s likely that your skates will get dirty. A great way to clean your roller skates is to wipe them down with a damp cloth. This removes dust and dirt that could potentially clog your wheels and make it difficult to enjoy a smooth ride.

After you clean your roller skates, we know you’ll want to skate in them. Head over to Southwestern Skate and enjoy endless hours of fun. Check out our hours!

Boost Your Skating Skills

March 8, 2018 by Writers

You already know roller skating is fun and good for you, and you’ve mastered the basics of skating. If you’re ready to kick your skating skills up a notch, check out these next-level roller skating tips from Southwest Skate!

Relax! This is the first tip for a reason–it’s the basis of everything else. The more relaxed you are, the better you’ll skate and the more fun you’ll have. Once you’ve learned to fall safely (check out these videos for tips), and you’re sure your skates are laced properly, take a deep breath and let go of your tension.
Stay Light. You want to be able to shift your weight easily from foot to foot, which means staying light on your feet. To make this easier, try two things. First, keep your knees loosely bent. You don’t need to squat, but you’ll want to get a little bit of depth. Second, keep your feet moving at all times (even if it’s just a little bit).
Muscle Memory. As you get better, you’ll want to stop thinking about what you’re doing and let your muscles take over. Music is a great way to help with this–and fortunately, Southwest Skate provides great music to distract your brain while your body does what it’s best at.

And don’t forget the most important tip: practice. Just like everything else, you’ll never get better at skating if you don’t work at it. Visit Southwest Skate to improve your skills–and maybe try some fun arcade games and make some new friends while you’re here.

Valentine’s Day on a Budget? No Problem!

February 8, 2018 by Writers

Did you know the average person spends almost $140 on Valentine’s Day? Coming so soon after the Christmas holidays, that can be a real blow to your budget goals! If you’re trying to save money this year, check out these ideas for inexpensive ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Visit us at Southwestern Skate Center! You may not have thought of skating as a romantic evening, but that works out in your favor in several ways. First of all, it shows your date that you’re creative and unique. Second, it means you don’t have to fight the crowds at most restaurants. And third, it’s inexpensive! You’ll keep to your New Year’s Resolutions (remember those?) by saving money and getting a little exercise without sacrificing fun and romance. Ask the DJ to play your song, hold hands on the skate floor, and do it all without overworked waitstaff breathing down your neck.

Instead of going out for a crowded, expensive meal, stay in and have a picnic just for you two. If the weather isn’t cooperating, no problem; bring your picnic indoors! Spread a blanket out on the living room floor, light some candles, turn the lights down, and indulge in your favorite romantic treats.

Make gifts for each other rather than buying expensive trinkets. Not only are handmade gifts more meaningful, but you’ll save a ton of money that can be better put towards your future together. Consider a collection of poems, a hand-written love letter, or even a retro mix CD of love songs.

No matter how you choose to celebrate each other, remember: it’s the thought that counts. We can’t wait to see you and your sweetie this Valentine’s Day at Southwestern Skate Center!

Get Healthy in 2018 with Roller Skating!

January 15, 2018 by Writers

Did you know that your New Year’s resolution to “get fit” can actually be extremely fun? That’s right! Roller skating is a great activity that can help you lose weight while having a great time.

Check out the incredible ways roller skating can help you get in shape.

Roller Skating Burns Calories

Roller skating is an incredibly good work out because it exercises your muscles (including your heart)! This builds up a sweat, and calories are burned, resulting in weight loss! (And who doesn’t want to combine losing weight and having fun?)

But, the most effective way to lose weight is to combine daily workouts with healthy eating. If you work out but don’t eat right, the excess weight won’t go anywhere. Consider changing up your eating habits and watch the transformation begin!

Roller Skating Increases Endurance

Endurance can be seen in all areas of your life. For example, do you get out of breath walking up several flights of stairs? Is it difficult to ride a bike for very long? What about taking a jog around the neighborhood? If any of these activities are difficult for you, your endurance may need improvement.

Fortunately, roller skating is a great (and fun!) way to increase your endurance. When you skate around the rink, your heart and muscles are getting a great workout. (Are you a first-time roller skater? Check out this article for tips.)

Roller Skating Boosts Your Mood

Part of being fit and staying healthy is nurturing your emotional health. And yes, you guessed it – roller skating is a great way to boost your mood!

When you skate, you are exercising which releases endorphins throughout your body. This is considered a “feel good” hormone that combats any negative feelings. You’ll leave the rink with a great workout under your belt and a smile on your face.

Are you ready to take advantage of all the roller skating benefits?! Check out our hours and visit us today.

Family Volunteering and Donations this Holiday Season

December 8, 2017 by Writers

The holiday season is all about giving, and at Southwestern Skate Center in Oklahoma City, we want to give you some fun ways to help those in need during the holidays. Our community is the most important thing to us, and we want to do everything we can to make sure everyone has enough during the holidays.

Luckily, finding ways to give back and volunteer as a family is easy. It can even be fun! Teaching your kids the importance of giving is a valuable lesson that they will carry with them the rest of their lives.

Clean Out the Cabinets and Donate

Non-perishables are great for giving. Canned food and dry goods have a long shelf life and can go a long way to feed families who are less fortunate. Need some ideas about what to donate?

Canned fruits like pears, peaches, etc.
Whole grain products such as brown rice and oatmeal
Canned vegetables like green beans, corn, etc.
Peanut butter
Canned chicken, beef, or similar low-sodium proteins
Granola, protein bars, and nuts

Join Our Healthy Lifestyle Skating Program

At Southwestern Skate Center, we take pride in our HLS School program! We work with local schools to provide a ton of fun at our skating center while raising money for a good cause: education! We promote healthy lifestyles and staying active both in school and as a family. Check to see if your kid’s school is participating this year and make sure to sign up and join the fun.

The Family That Volunteers Together…

There are so many great ways to volunteer your time around OKC this year. Senior living homes are a great place to spread some holiday cheer (and maybe even pick up a little wisdom while you’re at it). You can also sign up to help at a local animal shelter to make sure our furry friends get some love during the holiday season.

Want to learn more about giving back to the community? Give us a call or stop by during open skating hours for some rink time and additional information!

Fun Facts for National Roller Skating Month!

October 5, 2017 by Writers

From its not-so-humble beginnings at a masquerade ball in 1760 to its peak in popularity during the disco craze of the 1970s, roller skating has had a long, strange journey over the last 250 years. Skating has a long history of innovation and thrills. Over the years, the popularity of skating has waxed and waned, but even 40 years after its peak in 1977, there are still over 39 million skaters in America alone!

Here at Southwest Skate Center, we know quite a few of those folks who love the thrill of gliding around the rink. And with October being National Roller Skating Month, we thought it would be fun to give you some quick facts about our favorite pastime that you might not know!

Over 2.5 million people play roller hockey in the US.
Skating is one of the safest recreational sporting activities with studies showing that you’re twice as likely to be injured at the local playground as you are at a skating center.
On average, there are over 500,000 birthday parties at skate centers across the country every single year!
Roller Derby’s popularity has been on the rise since the early 2000s, coming close to its peak from the 1970s.
Skating is a ton of fun! Ok, you probably already knew this one, but that doesn’t make it any less true.

At Southwest Skate, we are happy to keep the long tradition of skating alive. We can’t wait to celebrate our favorite pastime with you here in Oklahoma City during National Roller Skating Month all October long! For more information about booking a birthday party or to learn more about our open skating times, give us a call today.