Roller skating in Lufkin is no longer limited to the weekends. Yes, Skate Ranch is happy to report that we have new hours effective today – December 6, 2013.  Not only are we implementing new hours, but we have a variety of different skating options for everyone to enjoy:

Tuesday Night Skating:

You will not want to miss our Take it Back Tuesday nights, and it could be the best deal in town for some family fun. We will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday nights, and admission is only $1. You read that right, $1 admission!! We will also have food and drink specials – like dollar drinks, hot dogs and slices of pizza.

Family Skate Friday:

If you are looking for a bargain of a way to spend Friday evenings, bring the family to Skate Ranch from 5 to 7 p.m. This is Family Skate Friday and the admission is only $3 per person. The evening concludes early enough for everyone to make their bedtime.

Teen Night:

Friday nights from 7 to 10 p.m. are now reserved for teens – it’s important for them to get some time to themselves. Admission is $7.

‘Lil Bit Skate:

Saturday mornings will now be all about the youngins’. From 10 a.m. to noon, children 11 years old and younger will have the rink to themselves – well them and the family members that accompany them. Admission is only $3.

Family Fun Night:

Saturday nights are the family fun nights. So, bring the whole crew and take advantage of our $29 family fun pack, which includes admission for a family of four, four regular soft drinks and four hot dogs or one large pizza. An adult must be present to receive the fun pack deal. Individual admission is $7.

Afternoon Skate:

On Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30 to 5, Skate Ranch will be open for afternoon skate. All ages are welcome and admission is only $6.

We should mention that admission does not include skate rental, which is $3. See you this weekend at Skate Ranch!

With the holidays upon us, it is common for you to start to worry about all of the excess calories you’ll be consuming. No doubt, you have been invited to a plethora of parties, and you may even be hosting one of your own. The stores are filled with tasty cookies, cakes and candies, some of which are sure to make their way into your home. Everyone wants to enjoy this time of year, and sampling all of the festive treats is one of the ways we celebrate.  So, we say, don’t avoid the goodies, just earn those extra calories by skating.

What do you consider to the best form of exercise? Running? Cycling? Lifting weights? Yes, these are all great ways to get in shape, but we think the best form of exercise is the kind where you don’t even realize you are doing it. Say, for example, roller skating. So, let’s go over a few reasons why you should include roller skating in your fitness routine.

Low Impact

Any runner will tell you that running is hard on the body. The high impact from basically jumping up and down on asphalt or concrete for extended periods of time can result in knee problems, back problems or both. This is why you will find runners are very particular about their shoes. Skating, on the other hand, is a low impact aerobic exercise. So, you can skate for long periods of time and not have to worry about what it is doing to your joints.

Complete Aerobic Workout

Roller skating is equivalent to jogging in terms of health benefits, and it targets more muscle groups. Obviously your legs and glutes get a workout, but also your abs, back, shoulders and arms as you try to balance. Plus, it is a cardiovascular exercise, so you are giving your heart a workout, too. In terms of calories burned per hour, it depends on how vigorously you are skating, but  just one hour of moderate roller skating has been proven to burn 330 calories for a 143-pound person. So, even when you aren’t really trying,  you are still burning more calories than during a brisk walk.

It’s Fun

This point goes back to the “don’t really know you are exercising” thing. When you put on your running shoes and spend 30 minutes on the treadmill, you are aware that you are exercising, and, if you are anything like me, you spend those 30 minutes thinking “how much longer.” However, when you put on roller skates and circle the rink with your friends, laughing and singing along to music, the idea that “I’m getting a great workout” doesn’t really sit heavily on your mind. Instead you think “I’m having so much fun!”

So, enjoy those holiday cookies and the cakes that only come out during this time of year – just make sure you are visiting our Texas roller skating rinks every week!