Roller skating has been around in some form or another for hundreds of years, but thanks to technological and social innovations it has exploded in popularity over the last century. Now it’s even celebrated with National Roller Skating Month! If you love to skate, or just have fond memories of hanging out at the skating rink as a kid, check out these fun facts about roller skating from the skate fanatics at Skate World Deer Park. 

Stars, They’re Just Like Us! 

Plenty of celebs have been seen roller skating over the years, including Patrick Swayze in his film debut, Skatetown USA. Other celebrities that have been known to roller skate include Cher, Prince, Grace Jones, Jodie Foster, Hugh Hefner, Marilyn Monroe, Andy Warhol, Diana Ross, and Donna Summer. 

Roller Skating is Still Cool

While it may not have as high a profile now as it did back in the days of roller disco, celebrities still love hitting the rink and even using roller skating in music videos! Beyonce is known to be a huge fan of roller skating, as well as celebrities including Drake, Tiffany Haddish, Kevin Hart, Kristen Bell, Katie Perry, Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift, Lauren Conrad, Dax Shepard, and various Kardashians, just to name a few. Check out Chet Faker’s Gold music video to see some awesome roller skating in action. 

Skates on the Silver Screen

Music videos aren’t the only place where roller skating gets showcased. There are quite a few roller skating movies dating all the way back to 1916! That’s right, over a hundred years ago Charlie Chaplin starred in the first-ever roller skating movie, a black and white silent film that ends with Chaplin hooking a cane onto a moving car and skating away from the scene of a roller rink riot. Other notable roller skating films include Xanadu, Roll Bounce, Whip It, Skateland, Brink, and ATL. 

Roller Skating is Universal

Here in the United States, roller skating birthday parties and school fundraisers are a common part of childhood. However, skating rinks can be found all over the world, from Pakistan to Chile to Japan and many places in between! In Europe, skating is quite popular in the UK, Ireland, Spain, Germany, and The Netherlands. Even the Amish love roller skating! 

Skate Bod is Real

Roller skating is known for being one of the most fun ways to work out, but it’s actually a really effective workout in its own right! Skating not only gives you a cardiovascular workout, but also engages muscles throughout your body, not just your legs. While skating regularly will certainly help you tone your shins, calves, hamstrings, and quadriceps, it also strengthens your core abdominal muscles, back muscles, and glutes, aka your butt! If you’re working on building a booty, take a break from squats at the gym and hit the skating rink.