Did you know that November is National Diabetes Awareness Month? Diabetes is one of the most common (and deadly) diseases in the United States, but efforts to increase awareness are ensuring that more people know about how to prevent diabetes and how to manage the condition properly. Read on to learn some important facts about diabetes and how roller skating can lower blood sugar! 

What’s the deal with diabetes?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, over 30 million people in the U.S. have diabetes—but 1 in 4 doesn’t know they have it. With over a third of U.S. adults exhibiting signs of prediabetes, it’s a public health crisis that we all need to pay attention to. It’s also the 7th leading cause of death in the United States, and that’s a conservative estimate. Due to the many complications caused by diabetes (like heart disease and kidney disease), it’s likely that the actual number is much higher, but has been attributed to another cause.  

While these facts are alarming, there is some good news: You can reduce your risk of diabetes! One of the most important things you can do for your health is to get some exercise at least 3 times a week. 

How to lower your risk of diabetes

Regular exercise is super important in the fight against diabetes. And while it’s inspiring to see people pushing themselves to the limit on ninja obstacle courses or running marathons, you don’t have to be that athletic or committed in order to make physical activity a part of your healthy lifestyle. Just 3 days a week of moderate exercise can make a big difference and protect you from some of the health risks of the sedentary lifestyle that is so widespread and yet so unhealthy for us. 

How to lower your blood sugar by roller skating

So, how does roller skating fit into all of this? Well, staying active is easier when you’re doing something you enjoy, and what’s more fun than roller skating? Roller skating is a great exercise activity for people of all ages because not only is it fun, social, and affordable, but it also has many benefits as a workout. Roller skating is: 

• Low-impact, which means it’s easier on your joints.
• An aerobic workout that can get your heart pumpking.
• A whole-body workout that engages your legs, abdominals, and back muscles.

Roller skating (or any moderate exercise) can lower your blood sugar. Here’s how it works: 

• Your heart beats faster and you start to breathe harder.
• Your muscles start to use more glucose (aka blood sugar). 
• Over time, you start to use up more of the glucose in your blood stream, and the insulin in your body is able to work more effectively. 
• These effects can last up to several hours after a workout. 

Pretty cool, right? Just remember, moderate exercise is the key. You don’t want to overdo it, because super strenuous exercise can release stress hormones that lead to spikes in blood sugar, which is counter-productive to the goal of lowering blood sugar. 

Now that you know how roller skating can help you control your blood sugar, come skate with us! Our Leesburg, Florida skating rink is open Thursday through Sunday, so you can get active and have fun doing it. 

October is not only known for National Skate Month but also Halloween! Halloween is a fun time to trick or treat, but sometimes the tricks can go a little too far. Failing to plan ahead can be detrimental to your child’s safety. Whether you are having a night in or a night out, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Here at Skate World Leesburg, we care about your children’s safety, so we brought you some tips and tricks to have a fun and safe Halloween.

Trick or Treat With Your Children

Yes, we know hanging around parents can be deemed as “lame,” but even if you let your kids do their own thing with their friends, you can still keep an eye out from a distance. When left alone on Halloween night, kids can make some not so smart decisions, so having an adult present can help guide them to make smart choices and still have a good time.

Using Flashlights or Glow Sticks

When going door to door when it’s dark out, it’s hard for drivers to see when pedestrians are crossing. Gearing up with some flashlights or glow sticks won’t only add to the fun of dressing up, but also keep everyone safe as they are strolling through the neighborhood. 

Planning a Route

Having a set in stone plan for a trick or treating route can not only build the excitement for the night but also gives you, as the parent, peace of mind if you do let your older children go out on their own. They can map out the houses that give out the best candy, and you can have an idea of where they will be going.

Using Reflective Tape 

Applying reflective tape to candy bags or costumes can not only give a cool and unique look to your get up, but also allows drivers to see your trick or treaters roaming the streets. You can apply them in spooky patterns such as pumpkins or skulls to add some festive flair. 

Checking Candy

This one should go without saying, but it is extremely important to check your child’s candy before they dive in. Be on the lookout for any opened or partially opened candy and trash it immediately. Opened wrappers could have been tampered with so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Also, it’s important to check for any candy your child or other children with you could be allergic to. Your kid may not be allergic to nuts, but one of their friends could be. A trip to the hospital is not a fun way to spend Halloween.

Have a Fun and Safe Night

From all of us a Skate World Leesburg, we care about your children’s safety both at the rink as well as out treat or treating. We hope you and your family have a very safe and fun-filled Halloween!

Roller skating is one of the best family activities in Leesburg (or anywhere!), giving parents and kids alike the chance to have fun, make friends, and best of all, incorporate physical fitness into their lives. There are so many health benefits of roller skating, from building muscle and improving balance to improving cardiovascular health and stamina. However, like any other sport, roller skating can sometimes cause foot and ankle pain. Read on to learn some of the most common causes of roller skating foot pain and what you can do about it. 

3 Common Reasons for Foot Pain While Roller Skating

Tightness of the Achilles tendon
If you don’t stretch regularly, you should start – stretching is important for any physical activity! The Achilles tendon can be a particularly problematic area for skaters, so be sure to give it some extra attention with lunges and wall push-ups. Start slow and gentle and build up as your flexibility improves.

Plantar fasciitis
This condition causes sharp pain in the bottom of the foot due to inflammation of the band of tissue that connects your heel with the ball of your foot. It’s fairly common among runners and walkers who have gone from little to no activity to an intense activity level in a short period of time, as well as among skaters who do a lot of jumps and high-impact tricks. Fortunately it can easily be treated with ibuprofen and rest. 

Improperly laced or fitted skates
Just as you wouldn’t attempt to run a 10k with ill-fitting shoes, you should not roller skate with ill-fitting skates! If your skates are too big or too small, you can end up with painful blisters and chafing, or even worse conditions like hammer toe. If your skates are the right size, but are laced too tightly, you can end up with lace bite. Lace bite is irritation to the top of the foot caused by the pressure and rubbing of the laces. 

If you’re experiencing issues with your roller skates or need help choosing a new pair of skates, we’re happy to help! Come visit us at our pro shop in Skate World Leesburg. 

You’ve probably heard the dire statistics about disengaged employees (if you haven’t, check out this infographic to learn more), but what can you do about it? How can you create a positive workplace culture that’s good for business and team morale? If “team building” conjures images of The Office cast members bumbling their way through awkward outings, think again. Team building activities have come a long way since the days of trust falls, and the corporate world is starting to figure out that the best team building happens when employees are actually relaxed and having fun. 

Check out these 3 ways to promote team building in your workplace, and contact us to book your Leesburg team building outing! 

1. Make team building a regular occurrence. While you obviously can’t splurge on every team building event, it’s important to make team building a regular part of your company’s routine. Consider interspersing larger quarterly or biannual team building events with smaller, attendance-optional activities like happy hour at a local bar, catered lunch for the office, a book club focused on industry topics, or anything else that feels relevant and authentic for your workplace. 
2. Encourage employees to get involved. Grassroots ideas from employees can be a great starting point when planning a team building event, so solicit ideas and feedback from your team. Try to choose activities that will get people talking and interacting for maximum team building impact. 
3. Make it fun. The best team building happens when coworkers are able to genuinely relax and let down their guard, so choosing the right corporate outing is key. Roller skating is a great option because it gives people something to do while also facilitating socialization and a shared experience. When Bill in accounting and Martha in sales realize they have the same favorite skate jam, their in-office rapport is sure to improve. 

Whether your company is large or small, we can help you throw a corporate event to remember. Give us a call at 352-787-1178 or stop by to make your reservation today!

Keeping the kids busy and active during the summer is a daunting task, but we’ve got a great solution to all your problems: roller camp for kids. Here are three reasons why sending your kids to roller camp at Skate World Leesburg is the perfect way to keep them entertained and exercised all summer.

A Break from the Sun

Summer is the perfect time for kids to be outside, but when temperatures get unbearable for them and you, it’s best to bring them inside. The only problem? You still want them to have fun. Roller camp is the perfect opportunity to be inside, be active, and learn a fun new skill. No sunburns, no dehydration, just nice, cool, indoor recreation.

A Break from the TV

Even if your kid is not the type to be outside, you still don’t want them spending all summer in front of a screen. Experts say that staring at a screen for too long can have negative effects on your child’s eyes. At roller camp, kids are engaged in mentally and physically challenging activities that can keep them from falling into a summer technology slump.

A Break for You

You love your kids, but there’s no doubt that you sometimes need a break. Sending the kids to roller camp gives you time to yourself to go to work, relax, run errands, or do whatever else is difficult to do with your children in tow, and they get to have a good time too. It’s a win-win!
Contact us for more information about skate camp, our hours, or other fun summer activities.

Gift-giving can be a bit nerve-wracking, especially if it’s for an important occasion like a major birthday or milestone. If you’re looking for a unique gift idea, or want to give an experience instead of just more stuff to clutter up the house, we’ll let you in on a little secret: Roller skates are the ultimate gift! Find out why you should buy roller skates for your child, friend, or family member – and how to buy skates at our Leesburg, Florida pro shop!

Roller skating is instant fun

More and more people these days are recognizing the value of gifting experiences rather than physical objects. While roller skates certainly qualify as a physical object, they are so much more – an invitation to experience the joy of wind in your hair, wheels on your feet, and fun music in a festive environment.

The mind, body, soul, skating connection

Roller skating isn’t just fun, it’s also good for you! You can feel good knowing your gift will help the recipient be more active, getting a great cardio workout, toning muscles, and blowing off some stress at the skating rink. In addition to the mental and physical aspects of skating, it’s a very social activity, and we all need some quality friend time in our lives.

Roller skates are unforgettable

There are so many reasons why roller skates make great gifts, especially if you include a visit to the skating rink. But one of our favorites is that you’ll never forget the day you receive a brand new pair of roller skates. It’s a special moment for kids that they’ll always remember, and for adults, it can take them back to the carefree days of childhood. Plus, with so many colors and styles of skates, you can find something that perfectly fits their personality.

Ready to buy roller skates for that special gift? Browse the catalog and give us a call at 353-787-1178 to order!