North Cook News

Arlington Heights Park District issued the following announcement on Dec. 13.

For some of you, skating is just something you do as a fun hobby.  But did you know that there are many health benefits to gain from skating too? 

In fact, according to research, you can burn between 250-670 calories ice skating for 30 minutes.  This depends on how much you weigh, and how fast you're skating, but who knew ice skating offered more than just the benefit of a fun!  Read on to learn about other benefits.

The Park District makes ice between December 15 and February 15- weather permitting. Making ice requires a sustained period of time when both the daytime and evening temperatures remain below 22 degrees with several inches of frost in the ground.

ICE RINKS	SLED HILLS LOCATIONS
Recreation Park free skate	Green Slopes- west side Sled Hill
Patriots  hockey- with boards	Heritage Sled Hill
Patriots free skate	Nickol Knoll- baseball field Sled Hill
Heritage free skate	Sunset Meadows- Southwest corner Sled Hill
Heritage hockey- with boards
Hickory Meadows free skate
Hickory Meadows hockey no boards
Frontier hockey no boards
Pioneer hockey no boards
Pioneer free skate

 

Be sure to visit the Ice Rink Report webpage this winter.  The page will be updated on a regular basis during the season so you can lace up your skates as soon as conditions are favorable for ice making. CHECK CONDITIONS NOW! 

Here are some additional benefits you can gain from ice skating:

• Better balance: Ice skating helps improve your balance through fun and positive exercise. Travelling across an incredibly slippery surface should quickly train you to stay on your feet.
• Improves joint flexibility: If your leg joints creak every time you rise from your bed in the morning, ice skating could offer a real solution. With its emphasis on quick foot movements and strong knees, your leg joints will receive a great workout and hopefully feel more flexible in no time.
• Builds leg muscles: Focusing on lower-body movement, ice skating offers great exercise for the leg muscles, building and toning them up over time.
• Cardio: Aerobic exercise is an important aspect of cardiovascular health, and ice skating provides a great aerobic workout. The best part about skating is you get a great cardio workout without even knowing it.
• Endurance: Ice skating requires energy over an extended period of time, making it a great way to build your endurance. The longer you skate, the more you’ll improve your endurance, not just for ice skating but for other sports and activities as well.
• Weight management: If you are trying to lose or maintain your weight, ice skating is a good way to burn calories while having fun! Ice skating burns from 300-650 calories per hour, depending on how hard you skate.
• Stress relief: Regular physical activity like ice skating can help combat the effects of stress. Ice skating is one of the most fun ways to exercise, especially if you skate outdoors where you can soak up the scenery and enjoy nature.
• Improves joints: Through gliding and synchronized movement of the legs, the joints and muscles will get a great workout and will become flexible in no time. Skating is said to be more beneficial than cycling and running. Ice skating works almost every major muscle group in the body, including joints.
• Mental fitness: The fresh air and sunshine in outdoor ice skating, as well as the company of family and friends, greatly help in unwinding from a long week of work and stress. Self -confidence is definitely improved as well.

Original source can be found here.