Have Your Skates Had Their Annual Check-Up Yet?

(ARA) - It's that time of year again -- the school year is winding down, baseball season is kicking into gear, and trees are once again full of leaves. The onset of warmer weather enables a host of outdoor activities and in-line skating is one that is great to keep you fit while having fun.

As people discover the health benefits of in-line skating, its popularity continues to grow -- up 309 percent in the past 16 years. Inline skating burns as many calories as running and is easier on the joints too. Whether people use skates for trick skating (aggressive skating), social events, fitness purposes, or competitive games, skating is a sport that the entire family can enjoy!

If you already own skates, it's important to perform some simple annual maintenance, to keep them in top shape. Much like an annual car tune-up, a skate tune-up lengthens the life of your skates and ensures a safe, fun, experience throughout the season. The eight steps for preparing for the season are:

1. Check axle tightness.

2. Check for loose buckles or worn laces.

3. Inspect your brake pads to ensure that they are within the wear limit line or if you have the Rollerblade ABT system, check to see if the braking system components are tight and in good working order.

4. Check for shell or frame damage and make sure that the frame is securely tightened.

5. Inspect wheels for wear. Excessively worn wheels decrease performance and control. You may need to rotate your wheels.

6. Clean and wipe off the skates. It is a good idea to take a clean dry cloth and wipe down the skate, frame and bearings. It is especially important to keep the bearing walls clean in order to keep all dust, dirt, and other debris out of the bearings.

7. Check bearing performance by spinning the wheels. Bearings might need to be cleaned (if they are serviceable) or replaced.

8. An extra step would to be to wash your liner and protective gear. It is best to wash them in a cold bucket of water with a mild detergent (like Woolite), then rinse them in cold water and hang up to dry. Do not attempt to clean them in the washer or dryer as it may cause damage.

Performing a tune-up on your skates will keep them rolling for years to come. For more detailed information on skate maintenance, visit www.rollerblade.com. Follow the maintenance procedures on the Rollerblade Web site. Pictures will guide you through maintenance of wheels, bearings, brakes, and frames.

Now that your skates are ready to roll, you might need to freshen up your skills before you hit the pavement. If you're skating for the first time or even if you are an experienced skater, here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind.

* Bend your knees as much as possible. If you are not in a sitting position, you are not low enough. Keeping a low stance increases overall balance and the length of your stride, thereby improving the efficiency of your skating technique and your control.

* It is also very important to "hit your edges." Practice hitting your outside, center, and inside edge (of your wheel) on every stride until it comes naturally. Mastering the control of your edges creates ultimate stability, significantly increasing your control and push-off power.

* Use quick short steps to increase your heart rate for a period of time, and then switch to long strides for a period of rest. This will help your overall endurance and performance.

* Learn to glide on each foot for ten seconds. This will help you with balance and develop long stride interval training.

* Always wear proper gear such as helmets, elbow and kneepads. Regardless of your skating ability, it is important to protect yourself against other road elements out of your control. Wearing protective gear will, over time, give even veteran skaters extra confidence.

Incorporating these skating tips into your skating regimen will allow you to make vast improvements in your overall performance.

For more information about skating for fitness, skate maintenance, or to view the latest line of Rollerblade in-line skates, please contact Rollerblade at (800) 232-ROLL or log on to www.rollerblade.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content