Welcome to the SkateHut Roller Disco Buying Guide. We are here to provide you with all the information you need before purchasing your first set ofSkatesand gear to show off your moves at your local roller rink.
Roller Discos - A Retro Comeback
In the 1970s, with the emergence of the disco music era, roller discos gained popularity at roller rinks throughout the US and became an activity that fascinated people and pop culture throughout the 70s and into the 80s. Over the years, numerous celebrities have demonstrated the fun and benefits that Roller Skating offers, including Stevie Nicks, Cher, Beyonce, Little Bow Wow, Elliot Page, and many more.
Health Benefits of Roller Disco
Roller Skating can be challenging to master initially as it requires balance, core muscles, and leg muscles to become adept at skating. However, it engages each muscle group, burning roughly 500 calories every hour.
Roller skating is not just excellent for burning calories but, due to the muscle groups it engages, it's also a highly effective way of toning.
Purchasing Roller Disco Skates
When buying your first pair of roller disco skates, ensure they fit snugly around your feet without creating pressure points where the boot rubs or areas where the foot feels numb, like the toes or arch of the foot.
Your toes should slightly touch the front of the boot. Since our feet tend to swell during skating, allowing a little extra space ensures your toes won't feel cramped while still providing room for expansion.
The skate boot's width should be appropriate to prevent rubbing and pressure points from too much movement inside the boot.
Your heel should fit securely in the boot to prevent rubbing on the heel and for added control when skating backwards.
Distinguishing Between Indoor and Outdoor Wheels
Customers frequently inquire about which wheels are best for roller discos and which are ideal for outdoor use at the local park. To help you determine the best wheels for you, it's crucial to discuss the wheel's durometer, which is its density. Typically, outdoor roller skate wheels are soft, very grippy, and can roll over small stones without experiencing wheel bite, around 78a or 82a. Wheels of this hardness can be used indoors, but they may feel sluggish due to their softness on hard floors and high grip. Harder wheels, around 88a - 92a, are usually optimal for skaters who want indoor wheels with some grip, yet being harder, they offer more roll and speed. Wheels around 95a to 101a are much harder, thus providing more speed and roll indoors. Due to their hardness, you might also experience sliding when trying to turn at speed. Many experienced skaters learn to use or "ride" this slide to perform various maneuvers like hockey stops, transitions, or under-pushing during crossovers.
When starting out, try grippy wheels to give you more traction while you develop your balance.
Buying Roller Disco Pads
Wearing protective Knee Pads and Elbow Pads when attending roller discos can be useful for beginners who are still honing their balance, as falling while skating is quite common at first.
In this section, we will outline some types of pads you can wear while learning.
Pad Sets- You can opt for a full pad set, comprising knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards, or purchase them separately. Falling while skating is to be expected, especially if you're new or returning to skating after a long hiatus. So, where possible, investing in padding that can absorb multiple impacts and falls will benefit your knees and joints in the long run.
Helmet- when skating outdoors, a helmet can be extremely useful as street or park surfaces can be uneven, leading to slips and trips. At the roller rink, the floor is flat and very smooth, so seeing people skating with helmets is uncommon. However, if your skating experience means you’d feel more comfortable wearing one, then by all means, do so.
Handy Tip: Be sure to remove your kit from your bag after skating sessions and let it air out fully; otherwise, it will quickly start to smell. Also, hand-washing your pads every few months in cool water will keep them fresh and protect the Velcro, which can soften and lose its stickiness in a hot washing machine.
Purchasing Roller Disco Accessories
Other handy items to consider when assembling your Roller Disco kit include:
A Skates Bagthat will allow you to keep your equipment and items together when traveling to skate sessions at roller rinks.
A water bottle to keep you hydrated during skate sessions.
A Skate Toolif you need to adjust your skates on the go, a pair of Skates has different sized nuts from the wheel axle nuts to the king pin nut, so having your own tools compatible with your skates will keep you skating.
Finding Your Nearest Roller Disco
To locate the closest roller disco and begin attending sessions, it's advisable to search online or explore social media platforms for a nearby dedicated roller rink, or events taking place at sports venues or community halls. Look for reviews and confirm that the roller disco has skate marshals to ensure participants are skating safely during your visit.