By Gina Yang

The start of the chilly winter came on Dec. 21, and it is hard to believe that the season is already on its final stretch. As the weather gradually gets warmer and the temperatures rise, we are slowly transitioning into the spring season. Even during this transition, ice skating is a wonderful, healthy way to savor the last part of the winter season!

There are numerous physical and mental health benefits of ice skating that many will be able to benefit from. Some of these include:

Building balance: In order to ice skate, you need to balance on the blades of your skates well. Balancing requires strong engagement of your abdominal and leg muscles, which are important for numerous activities. In addition, building balance through ice skating is a great way to prevent accidents and falls in daily life.
Mood boost: Exercising in general helps improve your mood and mental health because it increases the endorphin levels in your body. Partaking in an exercise activity like ice skating also builds a sense of accomplishment, especially for people who are trying something new. For people who are new to ice skating, keep reading for more information about free lessons at the rink.
Heart health: February is American Heart Month where everyone is encouraged to take action to improve their cardiovascular health and educate themselves about symptoms and conditions. Ice skating is a great aerobic exercise for everyone’s heart.

Now, there is a great opportunity to gain from these benefits in the Cleveland area–specifically at the Rink at Wade Oval in University Circle. Catch the last three days of this winter’s skating season on Friday, February 23rd to Sunday, February 25th from 1 to 8 pm each day.

Tickets are $5.00 per person and can be purchased here.

Those working in University Circle are granted free admission to the rink. There is no extra fee for renting your skates, which range in size from a toddler’s 9 to men’s 14.

For those new to skating, there is an opportunity to attend free skating lessons on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 1 to 2 p.m. Close to Wade Oval are many museums and restaurants nearby to visit before and/or after your skating. Regardless of if you choose to go, enjoy the last weeks of this season happily and healthily!

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