When you were making your New Year’s Resolutions, did you resolve to get in better shape? Millions of people do! Getting fit is one of the top resolutions every year, but unfortunately, a lot of people will get discouraged and abandon their goals with a few months, or even weeks. At Rainbow Roller Rink we’re really familiar with this cycle, and we’d like to propose an alternative to traditional gyms: the roller skating rink!

You read that right–roller skating is great exercise. Check out all the health benefits of roller skating:

• Burns Calories. Cardio exercise is great for burning calories! An hour of moderate skating burns up to 750 extra calories depending on your weight and speed, and you’ll enjoy yourself so much you won’t even notice the time passing.
• Improves Endurance. Just like running, jogging, or any other cardio exercise, skating is great for your lungs, heart, respiratory system, and brain. As an added bonus, it’s much easier on your knees and ankles than running is!
• Strengthens Muscles. Your legs will get a great workout while you’re skating, but that’s not all. You’ll also improve the strength and definition of your arms and shoulders as you keep yourself balanced, and your abdomen and back (also known as your core) will benefit tremendously.
• Kills Stress. How can you not benefit from spending time in a fun environment listening to great music and getting all the mood-boosting benefits of endorphins?

No matter why you’re looking to get fit in 2018, Rainbow Roller Rink is the place to do it! Check out our open skate times and come visit us for great exercise and fun!

The turn of the year is almost here, and at Rainbow Roller Rink we couldn’t be more excited! We’ve been busy thinking up New Year’s Resolutions, and since accountability is a great tool for success, we thought we’d share them with all of you.

Our New Year’s Resolutions for 2018:

• Make Healthier Choices. We’re drinking water instead of soda (most of the time), taking the stairs when we can, and most importantly, we’re spending more time at the skate center! Roller skating is great exercise, and it’s easy on your joints. Skating works your lungs, your muscles, and more. Plus, with our great specials and everyday pricing, it’s affordable!
• More Time for Fun and Family. We’re resolving to spend more time with our loved ones this year, even when we’re busy or feeling stressed out. Family fun is a great way to relieve stress, after all. Bring your family out to Rainbow Roller Rink for after-school skating sessions, where admission is just $5, or take some lessons on the weekends!
• Be Kind. Our biggest goal this year is a simple one: spread kindness! We want to make the world a more cheerful place this year. Whether holding doors, offering to help with bags or chores, paying sincere compliments, or just being polite, we’ve resolved to spread kindness–at home, at school, at work, at Rainbow Roller Rink, and everywhere we go.

Whether your New Year’s Resolutions are for fitness, fun, or something else, we hope that you’ll find help to succeed in your 2018 goals here at Rainbow Roller Rink!

The holidays are coming up fast and at Rainbow Roller Rink, we want to help you get a jump on your gift shopping in North Tonawanda. Do you have a family member who loves to skate? Our pro shop has some really cool things that you’ll want to consider for the special skater in your life this year.

Check out some of these gift suggestions and roll by while you still have time!

New Skates!

This one might seem obvious, but if you have a child, a friend, or a family member who loves to feel the wind on their face as they zip around the hardwood, a newpair of roller-skates can’t be overstated as a go-to gift this year. From wheels and bearings to the boots themselves, skate technology has come a long way and new skates can make a big difference when it comes to comfort and performance.

Give the Gift of an Experience

Instead of giving a “thing” this year, consider giving the gift of fun and memorable experiences! A group outing to Rainbow Roller Rink with your favorite skaters is a great way to get out and do something together as a family. You’ll create lasting memories and make your loved ones feel appreciated. Find out more about our open skating times, gift certificates, and more by calling or rolling by today.

Our gift cards are a great way to set up a skating adventure after the holidays. They also make excellent stocking stuffers! With our gift cards, you can buy now and skate later. Holiday win!

Winter break may be coming up soon, but in the meantime, there are still plenty of school days to get through. As days get darker and colder, kids start to get antsy and can run the risk of burnout. That’s where Rainbow Roller Rink is here to help! Roller skating makes a great after-school activity. Check out all the reasons why! 

• It’s Good Exercise! After a long day of sitting through classes, it’s a good idea to get up and get moving. When the weather is bad, it can be tough for kids to get as much exercise as they need. Making time for physical activities helps keep their bodies healthy against winter illness.
• It Relieves Stress! Physical activity isn’t just good for your body–it’s also good for your brain. With the end of the semester coming up (and holiday stresses on top of that), kids are feeling the pinch just as much as parents. Exercise can even help alleviate the symptoms of attention disorders, depression, anxiety, and Seasonal Affective Disorder.
• It’s Fun! Parents like to take a break between finishing one project and starting the next. Who’s say that’s not good for kids, too? A few hours on the skate floor between school and homework will help refresh and recharge kids for the tasks ahead.

And of course, skating at Rainbow Roller Rink is safe, clean, and affordable! Check out our schedule for open skate sessions that work for your family, and don’t forget to keep an eye on our Facebook page for first notice of specials and discounts.

Thanksgiving isn’t the only holiday coming up. Did you know that November 19th through 25th is National Family Week? What better time to celebrate family than during Thanksgiving? Here at Rainbow Roller Rink, we’re all about family fun. Check out these fun ways to celebrate and spend quality time with your family.

• Get Outdoors. Enjoy the outdoors now, before the winter rolls in with snow and ice. Go camping or on a hike, have a picnic in a local park or your own backyard, or just walk around your neighborhood and chat about your day. Getting a little extra sunshine can help with symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder. 

• Get Indoors. Weather not cooperating with your plans? At Rainbow Roller Rink you never have to worry about rain, sudden temperature drops, or any other weather woes. Roller skating offers great cardio exercise and tons of fun at an affordable rate. Check out our family deals on Monday and Wednesday afternoons!

• Get Helping. What better time to give back to the community than during the season of giving? Call local non-profit organizations to find charitable activities your whole family can enjoy together. Older kids can help volunteer at food banks, animal shelters, or homeless shelters, while younger kids can help pick out items to donate. Kids of all ages can help put together small bagged lunches to hand out to the homeless (make sure there’s nothing that could spoil).

However you decide to celebrate, we at Rainbow Roller Rink hope you’ll enjoy the season with your family and friends!

Be brave and break away from the boring old bake sale for this year’s school fundraiser. At Rainbow Roller Rink in North Tonawanda, New York, we have awesome deals for school events and fundraisers that will let the kids have a great time while you meet your funding goals!

Our skating center offers a huge hardwood rink, full concessions, an arcade and much more. Plus, when you schedule your fundraiser with us, you’ll get some really great perks.

Imagine the whole class having fun together, playing classic skating games like Four Corners, Limbo or Wipeout, and having a fun time in a wholesome atmosphere. Now imagine walking away from a night of pure fun with all the funding you need for school supplies, uniforms, field trips and more. Sounds just about perfect to us!

Perks of a Group/Fundraiser Party at Rainbow Rink

When you book your school’s fundraiser with us, you can count on exceptional service and endless fun. Some of the perks of hosting your group event here include:

• Your choice of music played by our house DJ
• Organized and supervised activities including all the classic skating games
• Access to our fully stocked concessions
• A great arcade and game room
• Access to our Bounce Zone (extra charge applies)
• Light Show Extravaganza
• And much more!

Skate and Raise Money for Your School

Our Fundraiser package works out for everyone involved. Guests pay a regular admission price with their skate rentals included. At the end of the party, Rainbow Roller Rink will give you a portion of the admissions collected to go toward funding great school activities. It’s that easy!

Our fundraisers and group parties are available on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5 pm to 8 pm and we’ll take care of everything. All you have to do is get your friends, family, coworkers, students, and neighbors to come out and join the fun. For more information or to book your party today, give us a call at (716) 693-1100.

October is National Roller Skating Month, and nobody is more excited to celebrate than we are at Rainbow Roller Rink! 

Why do people like roller skating? First of all, it’s easy to pick up the basics. We even offer beginner classes on Saturday mornings from 11:00 to 11:45 for just $6 admission plus $3 skate rental. Admission to lessons also includes admission to the afternoon skate session afterward. Second of all, it’s fun! Skating covers a lot of distance quickly, and gliding along feels a bit like flying. Plus, with the great music, fun lights, and arcade games at Rainbow Roller Rink everyone will have a blast.

Check out our fall schedule to find a time that works for you:

• Monday – After School Skate from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Remember, Christian Music Night happens every month! The next is November 6th.
• Tuesday – Rollers and Strollers from 10:00 am to noon. Perfect for little ones and parents, who are invited to walk the floor to help kids learn. Riding toys and tricycles are welcome.
• Wednesday – After School Skate from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Adult Retro Skate from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm, featuring adult beverages (18+ only).
• Friday – Family Fun Skate from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
• Saturday – Beginner lessons from 11:00 am to 11:45 pm (see above for details). Family Mega Skate from noon to 10:00 pm.
• Sunday – Family Afternoon Skate from noon to 4:30 PM. Roll Bounce Jam Skate with DJ Ready Rehab from 8:00 pm to midnight, featuring adult beverages (25+ only).

We can’t wait to celebrate National Roller Skating Month with you at Rainbow Roller Rink in North Tonawanda, NY! 

Owning roller skates of your own is a fun way to get the best fit for your skating needs, but they’re also an investment. High-end skates, in particular, can cost quite a bit! At Rainbow Roller Rink in North Tonawanda, we want your roller skate purchase to last you a long time. Once your skates are laced correctly, you’re ready to move into more advanced skate care. Here are some tips on how to maintain your roller skates: 

• Check your Wheels. Are your wheels spinning properly? They should spin freely without obstruction. Are they dirty, gunky, worn, or even chipped or cracked? Dirty wheels can be removed, cleaned, and put back on. Broken or very worn wheels should be replaced. Just like on a car, sub-optimal wheels on your skates will hinder performance. They can also be dangerous!
• Stay Dry. The inside of roller skate boots can become damp, whether from spills, puddles, or just foot sweat. Wipe down your skates inside and out every time you take them off. Unlace them and leave them to air dry naturally. Don’t put your skates near a heating source to dry them–this can damage them.
• Adjust Accordingly. If your skates come with an adjustable toe-stop, experiment to see which positioning works best for you. Even if your toe-stop isn’t adjustable, you’ll still want to make sure it’s tightly attached.
• Keep on Truckin’. The “truck” is the metal piece that holds the wheel axles. Most skaters want their skates’ trucks to be tight and secure, so don’t forget to adjust them if needed. Even advanced skaters who loosen theirs for more mobility should check them regularly to make sure they aren’t too loose.

If you have questions about roller skate rental, don’t forget to talk to the experts at the Rainbow Roller Rink Pro Shop! 

Between work, errands, and the mayhem of the back-to-school season, it’s almost impossible to stick to an exercise routine. And with the lingering heat of summer, most kids wind up playing video games instead of playing outside. Did you know that you can get fun, fitness, and sweet, cool air conditioning all in one place? Rainbow Roller Rink is here to save the day!

Health Benefits of Roller Skating

Skating isn’t just a fun way to pass the time. It’s an activity the whole family can enjoy that has real health benefits. How is skating good for your health?

• It burns calories. If you just couldn’t say not to those after-school cookies, it’s okay. Skating is a great way to burn calories. An average-sized adult can burn 9 or 10 calories per minute skating. That adds up fast!
• It builds muscles. Skating is a great lower body exercise, working muscles in your calves, quads, and glutes. It’s also a great way to build core strength, and depending on your form, you can even work an arm workout into your routine.
• It’s good for your heart. Roller skating strengthens your muscles, and that includes the heart! In fact, the American Heart Association lists skating as a top exercise for heart health.
• It’s low impact. Do your joints ache from running, jumping, and climbing at the gym? We have great news for you! Skating is low impact, which means it puts minimal stress on your joints. That makes it great for cross training, daily fitness, or fun family workouts.
• It’s good for mental health too. Regular exercise is shown to reduce stress and improve mood, leaving people happier, more focused, and better able to rest.

Anyone can learn to roller-skate! And if your younger kids aren’t confident on the skating floor just yet, they can bounce off that extra energy (and those after-school snacks) in the Bounce Zone. Rainbow Roller Rink is here to help your family stay healthy and have fun.

Roller skating is a ton of fun and has been keeping people of all ages entertained and in shape for almost 100 years! However, it does have a bit of a learning curve. Once you get the hang of it, though, you’ll understand what the craze is all about.

Luckily, learning to skate is pretty easy and with a little practice, you could be zipping around the rink with the best of them. Check out these tips for learning how to skate and then come check us out in person at Rainbow Roller Rink in Tonawanda!

Safety First!

Learning to skate is not dangerous as long as you wear the proper safety equipment. When looking for the right safety equipment, you want to find pads for your knees and elbow that are thin but also durable. You can check out our pro shop for pads, helmets, skates and more.

Learn On an Even Surface

Learning to skate at the rink is the best way to get the knack. At Rainbow, our floor is smooth, level and free of debris. Skating outdoors can be a lot of fun, but if you’re just starting out, one tiny little pebble can ruin your whole day.

Stay Loose and Bend Your Knees

A common mistake with new skaters is the tendency to lock up the knees. You want to make sure you keep your hips loose and your knees slightly bent. This will help with maintaining balance and proper posture while you start to feel out the fun of roller skating.

Remember to Use Your Arms

Skating is a full-body exercise. To get going, you’re going to need to use your arms almost as much as your legs. Once you’re ready to push off from the wall, make sure to swing the opposite arm from the leg that is pushing your skates and keep them in sync with each push.

So now that you know the basics, what are you waiting for? It’s time to have some fun!