Roller Shoes

Dancing on My Skates

noreply@blogger.com (Satriani) — Thu, 08 May 2008 01:35:45 PDT

The dance is essentially an increase in mood and a very good way to burn a few calories. But dancing on skates, it will require large body of balancing skills, and much more fun to it. Among the workouts are jam skating, dance and roller relaxation. With a pair of roller skates and some funky music, you can practically invent your own style. If you do together in a group, there is no saying what you can come with, especially if you put in some acrobatic maneuvers as well. Well, everyone, but this is just fun.

Over the years, skate dancing has evolved from one form to another. His popularity was like a roller coaster round, sometimes reaching summits and other times reached reflux. Like most roller skates dance group is to roll links, its availability has cut the popularity of the dance a little roll. With an interview at all time high, it is sad to note that roller rinks are with the closure of additional frequencies. No matter what, roller dance will always be a great way for a group to excite themselves, and it will somehow live, if there are roller skating rinks or not.

Roller skates dance are a great way to stay consistent with your group of friends. It is very physical because you can see your friends, you can bump and you move your body in unison for the thumping music together. By contrast, you will not be able to sense that reality if you were just your network of friends through the Internet! As the adage goes, people need to get physical and not virtual. You may have thousands of friends on MySpace, but you do not really know any more.

One of the real benefits of dancing with skates is that you can get a real sweat. Just dance for an hour and you burn 350 calories. It is a real body trimmer, and get a wonderful mood after the dance. It is also one of those rare occasions that you can exercise and still enjoy music at the same time. If you are a girl, roller dance on a regular basis shape of your body like a ballerina. Your muscles are so flexible that you can contort in a small box.

But before you can dance on your skates, you will learn the techniques of skating good and you also technology stability control on these wheels. Good skating dance can be done on roller skates quad. Inlines are not suitable, and if you have basic or ice skating skills, you will do well on the dance floor.

Are Skate Shoes Good Exercise?

noreply@blogger.com (Satriani) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:15:58 PDT

Roller shoes have been the news these days, especially when it comes to child safety range. In the midst of the typical debate on roller shoes course, there is also the question of whether these shoes mobile effectively promote exercise as rollerskates. Roller has been a great form of exercise almost as long as it has been around. But the last place in the field of skating known as the "heel" is a creation quite fuss over whether or not it is a good form of exercise, or just downright lazy.

Roller shoes count on wheels which are housed in the heel of a shoe normal. By shifting their weight to the heel of the shoe, heelers are able to smooth transition of a walk or run coasting. This type of skating is named angle, and at first glance it seems as if the heeler is simply along gliding without a care in the world and very little physical effort involved. If you saw it, you may be assumed that these shoes are roller skates for lazy, but on closer inspection, you will come to realize there's much more to these shoes skate than just the occasional ride sidewalk.

When I bought my first pair, I myself considered along gliding as I had seen children in my shopping done a million times. The last experience I had with skating at all was nearly twenty years. A boy in this age group during the end of 80 years, I owned a second rate skateboard and a yearning for a half-pipe and freestyle. " Even then, I've never been good as this, but he certainly concerned a great deal of my free time and would provide me with a kind of exercise. As I slipped on my first pair of roller shoes, I guess that's something that I would like biking (or my old skateboard), as the saying goes. This was not true. The first step I took I landed flat on the sidewalk and was certainly not aligning graceful my intention. With a deep breath and a willingness to learn, I got up again and gave him another shot. After a few steps, I found that control over my back foot was not so difficult, but my front foot found amusing to me ride in a quandary divides repeatedly. The more I practice, the more I began to realize that the inclination involved learn to walk first. With these shoes on roll, a person must recycle the body is walking on wheels. This is not an easy task.

After the first few hours of skating on those shoes, I made several observations. To begin with, I was not going to be good at this in the near future. Secondly, my heels hurt the amount of pressure that was constantly being there to ride. I also noticed that my inner thighs began to burn, and within a few days, it was obvious that I had worked those muscles more than I had quite certain. The pain is the result to keep my balance and my feet to remain a force to the other without making the big difference. As the weeks passed, I began to notice that my calf muscles and legs are painful way. Roller shoes are generally heavier than normal sneakers, adding the extra weight of the wheel. It was like wearing ankle weights and was something my muscles needed to get the force. As the weeks turned to months and the improvement of my bed, my body adjusted. Walking around shoes under normal feels strange without value added and constant mental and physical focus on my balance.

Most people believe that the roller skating shoes robs children of good exercise, but appearances can be deceiving. These shoes are skating the promotion of good exercise and balance. They help build muscles in the leg and enforce a great cardio workout. More surprising, roller shoes are the youth of today to accept a good posture by the way they must maintain the balance! In general, if this mode is to push children to the comfort of A / C and video games and a hot, healthy sun and exercise, then tilt is a sport that we should all adopt.

Facts About Roller Blading

noreply@blogger.com (Satriani) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:15:58 PDT

Roller is considered a good choice for all skaters, especially during the off season.

But the fact is that the roller is a great tool for speed skaters. It does not prove to be a useful training for skaters.

In the current scenario, many skaters have started to incorporate roller in their training for speed skating. However, rollerblading in the off-season is excellent for a short and long track ice riders.

It is essential to a combination of weight training, stretching and cardiovascular training, a portion of the exercise regimes for speed skaters. Such training includes cycling, plyometrics, and roller.

Off-ice skating tends to help speed skaters to maintain their physical condition during the summer months. The integration of rollerblading in training is quite beneficial for speed skaters.

As off-ice offers more strength, speed skating online helps build cardio-respiratory and endurance needed for long-distance race. The reason is that the inline skating requires more energy to maintain speed.

On the other hand, roller, skaters can slow down and focus more on technical development. In addition, speed skates are much lighter than in-line skates. Hence, the skaters who followed the race on the ice feel more powerful and light with their speed skates.

Keep in mind that training with weights around the ankles is not a good idea because it is known to cause knee problems. This is because the additional weight of roller speed allows ice riders to develop a certain tolerance to heavy off-ice skates.

Ultimately, this is what tolerance means more speed on the ice at the additional resistance and weight are deleted!

How to buy a quality pair of running shoes

noreply@blogger.com (Satriani) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:56:11 PDT

There are several things to keep in mind when making buy running shoes. If you buy a shoe that is not the best for your foot, you can suffer the consequences. Things like shin splints, tendinitis and plantar faciatis are all things that can happen if you do not have the right place at the right shoes. Basically, you set yourself for injuries.

The purchase of a proper functioning shoe is really an art. There are so many different brands, it may be difficult to find one that is perfect for you. That is why it is important to talk with experts to help you in the process. However, it is possible to find the best shoe for you on your own. Here are some tips on how to buy running shoes.

What kind of support?

One thing that must be considered when purchasing running shoes is the amount of funding needed in the shoe. And you need will depend on the needs of your foot and how you run. Some people have even made an impression, others weigh heavily on both sides of the foot. Determine what kind of impression that you have to determine the type of shoes that you will need. Manufacturers understand that everyone is different so that most offer styles that will accommodate a range of needs.

Consult a specialist

It is a good idea to visit a specialty store if you want to know what type of shoe will work best for you. Not only do they understand what types of shoes work best to support your unique needs, but they may also recommend a shoe that will work for your lifestyle. For example, if you need to run a marathon in the shoe and it will be used for this course, you'll need a shoe very different if you're just a casual runner or even a trail rider.

Do your research

Before you set out to the store, research to help find the best shoe for your needs. Read product reviews of all the latest models. Talk with people who manage and use including shoes, and see what prices to expect when you go to a store. Resist the urge to buy your first pair of shoes online. You want to go to a store so you can try. Once you find a brand and a model that works well for you, you can buy other pairs online cheapest.

Make sure they correspond

Another important factor is to ensure that your shoes fit. Some people take different sizes while they are running than is the case for their everyday shoes. That's because the foot tends to increase, especially if you use long distances. Ill-fitting shoes can cause injury and may also cause the skin beneath your toe nails to cause blue toenails in the fall. Find shoes is crucial to the health and enjoyment of the sport.

Buy the best performance running shoes for you

noreply@blogger.com (Satriani) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:56:11 PDT

Find the best man or woman trail running shoes could be a difficult task. Most men and women can make bargains and a variety of choices here on the Internet. You should not need to do research and then go into a store, you just have to do is seeking your browsing shoes online here. The Internet provides you with all the important details and information you need to take a decision.

Most riders on track for men and women are strengthened and have been made for a solid good. Keep specific details in mind, for if you plan to fall over rough terrain, roots and rocks. If the answer is yes, look for a more industrial research shoes. The traction on the bottom of the shoe and width of the sole is a good indicator.

A large, which is in many trail riders is a water resistant and durable mesh fabric on top of the shoe. Many people find a way to track or fire road perfect for a day of dirt trail running or light running. The trail running shoes you want May to take into account is a shoe with cushioning, good traction and good stability. The choices in this type of shoes vary a little, so take advantage of the offer from larger selection on the site you're shopping. It May be prudent to have a clear idea of the details you need May, in this type of shoe. The Internet offers a variety of choices so you should have no problem finding exactly what you need shoes.

Shoes with wheels

noreply@blogger.com (Satriani) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:56:11 PDT

The skate shoe is a step that too many makers of shoes could have foreseen. It was a shoe that shook the world and has done what it has come, which is a brand new innovation in footwear. The concept of the shoe was for them to fit his feet throughout the world and for them to move better. The wheels are hidden in shoes and you can not say that they are a skating shoe during a walk around them.

Skating the origin of shoes were sold only to children because the manufacturers of shoes that the children thought that their goals and did not even think of selling it to adults at all. The children went crazy wanting this type of shoe. I know that my son and all his friends wanted Christmas gifts for the two or their birthdays, but every child wanted a pair. As the shoes have begun to sell more and more they started to make a shoe for adults, although only a pair of shoes makers made these adult shoes available and they sold quite well on the west coast and in Florida as they were very popular with surfers and skateboarders. Either popular on the east coast or west bought these shoes and loved them.

The appearance of the shoe was roughly the same as all other footwear on the market. The reason why they have been popular with skateboarders is because they closely resemble popular skate shoes. They are very fashionable research. They all lace in the same way as any other shoe, and they will likely go with what you wear if you choose the right pair, but with other bright colors May only be worn for recreational use. They also think very rubber soles that provide maximum protection to your feet when you walk instead of skating.

Like all problems with shoes disadvantages of the shoe should be considered as well. The first negative is that they tend to be heavier than other shoes that is obviously because they have built in the wheels. Thereafter, the skate shoes are not the type of shoes you want to wear everywhere. Finally, when the skin ages, they tend not to store the wheels as easy as they did when brand new. The wheels just start to get old and you just need May to get a new pair like any other shoe.

If you are an individual sport then the skate shoe is the one for you. It is a good shoe that most children and adults have already May you have seen these around the area where you live. They are easy to use and can be implemented in 2 seconds, get a pair. Even children can put wheels under the shoe. That is why these shoes are made for children because they knew that their capture and sale like no other shoe on the face of this planet. Adults have a taste of shoes that too well. Many adults use them as skates instead of regular in-line skates. So go ahead and get a pair of your kids or yourself for today.

Best running shoes

noreply@blogger.com (Satriani) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:56:11 PDT

Like any other product such as cellular phones, computers and vehicles, running shoes have also continued to evolve in a dynamic market. Athletic Shoes are the most important equipment for a rider. They help prevent injuries and help the rider May improve its approach. The market for running shoes is huge and most businesses running shoes significantly investment in technology and science of running shoes.

Runners need the best protection that can offer shoes. A running shoe should absorb shock and control of movement, while offering the flexibility and durability.

Late afternoon is the best time to buy running shoes. Feet get bigger during the day and are at their peak in the late afternoon. For the better, a person must check the length appropriate for determining if an inch wide between the end of the longest toe and the end of the shoe. The foot box should allow the toes to move freely. The heel should not slip or rub against the shoe. An individual must try several brands and models, because they all fit and various characteristics of comfort. It is important to ensure that the only flexes easily when the foot flexes. It is recommended that a person buy shoes that have removable inner soles.

Because of the complexity of feet, it is difficult to objectively define the characteristics of the best walking shoes. Each rider, the brand and model of operation is different shoes. The challenge is to match the characteristics of each runner to the characteristics of a brand and operating model of shoes. That is why it is important to consult specializes in shoe stores that offer expert advice and help them find the best shoe that fits a specific needs. It is recommended that only people with knowledge of their foot biomechanics should make purchases online.

Motion Control Shoes

noreply@blogger.com (Satriani) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:56:36 PDT

An important point within your fitness equipment is your shoes. It May be one of the most important items you buy. The right shoes help reduce injury or continue to support the health stable. A type of running shoes which won a good dose of popularity is a race motion control shoes.

Often, you find a movement footwear operation related to overpronation, flat feet or orthotics. In fact, they are so popular a detail that you could probably control movement in all types of sports shoes. A simple check to see if your foot is characterized with overpronation is to examine the merits of an old pair of shoes. Does the inner side of your shoes worn over the outer surface? Yes? Then you're right to pursue a course motion control shoes, since overpronation and motion control are often found together.

Look for the motion control operation to provide shoes durability and control. These shoes can be lightweight and have a great stability. Seriously consider buying a movement operating shoes if you wear orthotics or flat feet. A shoe with Motion Control is a very stable shoes to choose. Of course, it is good for us.

The Shoe With The Wheel In The Heel

noreply@blogger.com (Satriani) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:10:12 PDT

X Games...trend by helping...hanging and just be cool literally a "momentum" to strengthen the corners of surprising, namely footwear. And the latter moves fashion are not just racy or mix colors and arrangement of materials. Not only Trend-Setting-mode distinctive personality statements, casual "sneakers" are literally build new opportunities in sport the heel of the shoe.

What's going on in the movement. Like Yo-Yos hoola hoops and decades back, the last and difficult pricing pleasure shoes likely than young children, adults and old, are catching a ride on a cross is among the most ordinary street casual shoes and a piece borrowed of rollerblading and as a piece borrowed from skateboarding free riding.

The allocation of a wheel in your heel. MTV and Internet-enabled urban and urban sun children have closure on the possibility of obtaining a "free ride" of ordinary shoes. Looking for a sport like Sneaker, these wheels-within-a-shoe heelies create a whole new breath of experience for the shoe-holders. Do longer confined to clomping along the sidewalk, wheels-shoe could literally hang-back on their heelies and glide and swing and figure-8 their way through a terminal, or down the supermarket aisle as many children now.

When you do not want to cruise while walking. In each child or a young guy of the day there comes a time when "looking cool" does not along the race atop a wheel-line integrated in your shoes. You're headed to film ... or time has made funky and cruise on a pair of heelys can not cut.

Solution? The leader wheel-in-a-shoe models offer a simple twist-and-remove design to remove the wheel. You just need a pair of quarters. Insert pieces into the grooves on each side of the wheel and support presto ... the wheel is displayed. Insert the shoe "plug" and bob's your uncle you're ready to go wheelessly in the rest of your day.

After finding wheel-In-A-Shoe Shoes. Adding mechanical moving parts, and one mid-shock absorbing suspension system is partly about creating a great trip and get a good landing heel seizes skateboard and other maneuvers now available footwear children. Adding locomotion shoe is also about security and maintenance.

Forget your brilliant wheel-in-a-shoe footwear. The materials tend to be synthetic suede that are constant color. No, you need to focus on footwear are mechanics, namely the wheel and port maintenance.

The removal of your wheels. Like in-line skating or skateboarding, your wheel-in-a-shoe footwear attracts crud, rust and corrosion. Result? Your shoes literally slow down, as rolling resistance increases. Two (2) pieces slide into slots designed in the wheel housing to remove your shoe wheels is simple and straightforward.

Cleaning wheels and bearings. Most wheels in a shoe footwear for children and adults, is designed based on the quality ABEC wheel bearings ... even those who are used to in-line skates and skateboards. Cleaning bearings on a regular basis and crud removes rust and makes rapid deployment. A 20-minute soaking in the standard bearing cleaning solution is all that is necessary to eliminate crud. Then, the lubrication of bearings is a simple matter of buying a small can of machine oil, as white lithium. A few jets, rubbing, and the wheels are ready for a new facility.

Adults and children models. Most wheels in a shoe brands offer the full range of sizes more young adults sizes to size 12 or size 13, with a large comfortable fits.

Heelys: Wheel Me into the Short Camp

noreply@blogger.com (Satriani) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:50:01 PDT

Imagine being given the opportunity to short a huge, publicly traded fad that is already showing signs of fatigue. Imagine no longer - that description perfectly fits Heelys (HLYS).

Less than six months after its December 2006 IPO, investor enthusiasm for HLYS has sufficiently waned to push the stock below its initial offering price of $30 twice, and only recently the stock has recently rallied due to a conveniently timed upgrade from IPO manager Wachovia, which gave the stock an 8% bounce as it tested all-time lows. Aside from the charts, there are also fundamental reasons I am skeptical that HLYS has any upside as a company or stock, which is why I believe it is one of the best short plays in the market today.

Looking at Q4 2006 vs. Q3 2006, revenues experienced a sequential decline, and operating cash flow was negative – a discrepancy that looks to be largely due to a growth in accounts receivable, which suggests Heelys is extended quite generous terms to retailers. Although I am hesitant to make an allegation of channel stuffing, I judge companies by operating cash flow, not net income; whether Heelys is just not in a hurry to collect on receivables, or perhaps just being aggressive in recognizing revenues, any company that quadruples sales and grows net income six-fold while having reduced operating cash flow on a year-over-year basis is going to raise red flags on my valuation model.

The fact that all these sales come from the whims of 10 year olds just seems to give Heelys an inherently unstable business model; everyone can name a half-dozen fads that have come and gone in that age group, and Heelys look gimmicky enough to fit in with Pogs, Pokemon, Razor Scooters, Beanie Babies, and those shoes that had flashing lights in the soles, as trendy but transient products that capture the short attention spans of elementary school students for a year or so

Two final notes from the Wachovia report I am reading:

1. One listed risk is “lawsuits and negative sentiment related to injury,” which I think is one underestimated risk; many stores specifically mention that Heelys are not permitted to be used because the enormous liability created by allowing preteens skate around crowded aisles, and the quickest way to kill this fad would be to get parents opposed to the shoes on safety grounds.

2. Another comment I find interesting is that “sales and earnings growth could begin to naturally decelerate,” which seems to be a hint of recognition to the beginning of the end of the Heelys fad. Right now the five-year growth estimate is an annualized 25%, I see little to no chance that Heelys is in as good a position in 2011 as they are now, and the degree of insider selling that follows the end of the post-IPO lockup period in early June will certainly be interesting to watch.

In short: Heelys is essentially a publicly traded fad catering to elementary school students. The financial health of the company is questionable, the risks that come with a concentrated product are huge for the target market, and the recent jump off the Wachovia upgrade seems like a false rally meant to prop up the sagging stock price, which will soon be under additional pressure as insiders’ holdings enter a market that may already be seeing too much supply and not enough demand.

Although I think Heelys has some legs left as a company – which will give the “Worst IPO Performance of 2007 Award” to Vonage (VG) – I still think a short entry here just above $30 could easily return 65% or more, as I value HLYS at around $8.

Heelys' Wheels Come Off

noreply@blogger.com (Satriani) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:50:01 PDT

OK, so some of us investing types have always suspected Heelys (Nasdaq: HLYS) was one heck of a one-trick pony. The stock's recent high-speed roll downhill might make us feel a little smug in that assessment, too. However, Heelys has added another trick to go along with its hybrid skate shoes; it gives new meaning to the phrase, "And that's when the wheels came off."

Dubbed the Gamer, these sportin' shoes are designed to emulate a Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) Xbox controller. If you venture to the site unveiling the Gamer, you might wonder if it comes with a robot. (It doesn't.) Please note the buttons on the sole (which do nothing) as well as the power button on the side of the shoe. (That's just for looks, too.)

The footwear (fadwear?) market is really something else these days. I mean, for goodness' sake, I still can't buy the idea that Crocs (Nasdaq: CROX) can sustain sales of its ugly plastic clogs, no matter what the bulls say. And of course, Skechers (NYSE: SKX) recently launched a new shoe that might remind you of Crocs (go figure!). But apparently ugly doesn't stop anybody these days; the Heelys Gamer isn't exactly a beaut, either.

Yesterday afternoon, we had a mighty big laugh about the Gamer. My cube neighbors here at Fool HQ chimed in: Katrina Chan came up with some excellent theories on her Motley Fool CAPS blog as to what Heelys management might have bounced around as ideas for the bizarre footwear department, and Kristin Graham suggested the stock should have gone down, not up, on this product unveiling.

A two-trick pony is little help when you're dealing with finite fads, and while I believe video game popularity is a lasting trend, the Heelys Gamer doesn't even look like it'll reach the status of Pet Rocks. Unlike original Heelys, which allow kids to roll around on the wheels in the heels, the Heelys Gamer doesn't actually do anything. Since when is a shoe in any way related to a video game controller? Suffice it to say, I suspect the Gamer won't do much for Heelys' business, either.

Heelys Wheel Ahead

noreply@blogger.com (Satriani) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:50:01 PDT

In Japan kids dance in them, figure-skating style. In Canada they glide in them to whack a street-hockey puck. And from London to St. Petersburg, preteens use them as alternative transportation. They're Heelys, and the brand is on the move. But how does a company with $40 million in annual revenues and a slender marketing budget expand to more than 60 countries in less than five years without getting lost? HSL Inc., launched in late 2000 with one product, posted U.S. sales of more than $36 million last year--an increase of 250%--and about $2.4 million in Europe (up a respectable 200%) while the company was opening up Latin America and combatting piracy in Asia. "Our marketing strategy is universal," says Mike Staffaroni, CEO of HSL, which is based in Carrollton, Texas. From Day One, the company has aimed at controlled distribution and growth, maintaining mystique by selling at premium-priced, higher-end retailers and "nix to the likes of Wal-Mart or Target." It positions Heelys as sporting equipment, not toys, despite a target audience of 6-to-14-year-olds.

The key to selling the brand abroad has been keeping it hot at home. Whether in Detroit or Taipei, the company relies on grass-roots marketing. To explain how to "heel" skate on one rear wheel, the company cherry-picks a handful of cool kids, "like school athletes," in selected schools to join Team Heelys. These paid performers demo the shoes at malls, concerts and sporting events, and they also chat up Team Heelys wannabes on the Heelys website, generating cred and buzz.

Staying hot means constantly retooling, chugging out upgraded wheel varieties, fashions and comfort features twice a year. HSL has also added accessories like helmets and related products.

Months after launching in the U.S., HSL shipped to Japan, its first offshore market. The company couldn't afford its own subsidiaries, so within each country or region it signed an exclusive distributor, which uses HSL's global marketing strategy but handles TV advertising, local-language websites and events.

Take Japan. Public demos proved a perfect vehicle for product exposure in that densely populated country. HSL rolled out Heelys in brighter colors and produced Hello Kitty and Winnie the Pooh models to take advantage of local licensing agreements. But success spawned cheap copies, slicing HSL's monopoly market share in half. In a neat bit of counterprogramming, however, its man in Japan recommended fighting the pirates on their turf: self-serve discounters. So HSL created Cruz, a lower-priced sub-brand, exclusively for Japan.

Not every local distributor has worked out. "It takes time to find the right one and to see results," Staffaroni says. Britain started slowly but is now the No. 2 market in Europe, while sales in Russia have increased for three years. Within five years, the company hopes to distribute directly in Europe, eliminating the middleman and boosting margins. Longer term, the company wants to control distribution in South America, Canada and Mexico.

Maintenance

noreply@blogger.com (Satriani) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 11:22:19 PST

The most obvious maintenance steps you can do are

* Avoid riding on Heelys in wet weather and on sandy or muddy ground - the wheel bearings are sealed but damp and grit will eventually get into the bearings and cause rusting, squeaking and seizing
* After unintentionally getting your Heelys seriously wet or dirty, remove the wheels and wipe/dry them as appropriate, as well as cleaning out the wheel cavities, before reinserting.

However careful you are though, if you skate a lot, you'll eventually start to be dissatisified with your wheels, which will perhaps make a noise or provide significant rolling resistance. This means that the bearings are wearing out. Now, the official Heelys site gives instructions for mechanically-minded people on how to re-grease the bearings, but..

1. most people won't have the time or tools for this
2. a re-greased and tightened bearing, however well done at home, won't last as long as a brand new factory-sealed bearing

Thus I demonstrate below how easy it is to change your Heelys wheels. To start, visit the official Heelys wheel guide and find out which set of replacement wheels you need. In our case, I was tracking down a double-set for my daughter's Rebel:

Having ordered these from your local supplier (see the Google ads around this site for ideas), double-check they're the right ones before slitting open the pack.

Using your thumbs (preferably) or the wheel/sole-saver removal tool (if you're weak thumbed!), remove the old wheels:

Assemble the new wheels, taking care to get the small/large wheels in the right order on each shoe:

Bang them into place and check they roll ok. Job done!

it's worth keeping the old wheels - Heelys wheels are expensive and the old ones will have some life left in them. If you have a disaster with one of the new ones (God forbid), it'll be the work of a minute to pop back one or more of the old ones to tide you over, etc:

Christmas Gift For Kids - Air Roller Shoes

noreply@blogger.com (Satriani) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:22:38 PDT

The first roller shoes hit the streets in 2000, and since then they've become a global craze with over four million sold worldwide. With department stores regularly selling out every holiday season, they're expected to be this year's most popular Christmas gift for kids. They come in all range of colors and sizes, and the latest model fans will be hoping for doesn't just have one wheel, but one button to unleash it, the Air Roller Shoes.

As with the evolution of the bicycle or the motor car, whenever a new invention arrives other inventors will examine the design to try and find ways to change and improve it. The roller skate shoe is no exception, and an incarnation has now arrived with a new take on the original design. Now the roller shoe's wheels never need to be removed because they can just be retracted into the sole.

The new versions of the roller shoes are just as comfortable, durable and trendy as any athletic shoe. But with the push of a button they immediately transform into fun roller skate shoes for gliding, grinding and performing tricks with your friends.

Most one wheeled roller shoes require you to manually attach or remove the wheels. This means having to stop and sit down whenever you want to switch between walking and rolling mode. You also have to carry wheels around with you along with the replacement plugs and the plug removal tool. Not a great recipe for making a quick getaway!

Well, the new versions of the roller shoe eliminates the need to carry around wheels, plugs and tools because you can switch modes simply by clicking your heels. The wheel is stored in a compartment within the heel, and is activated by pressing a small button on the back of the shoe. When you want to walk or run you simply keep the button pushed in, and when you want to switch to rolling mode you simply pull the button out. The wheel will then be released and locked into place for either mode, allowing you to roll away without ever having to sit down or barely stop.

The popularity of roller shoes continues to grow year on year with celebrities such as R & B singer Usher and basketball star Shaquille O'Neal both big fans. The Denver cast of �The Little Mermaid' musical even wear them to enrich their performances by being able to glide effortlessly across the stage and make it look as though they're swimming through water.

So, when you go shopping this holiday season remember to look out for the roller shoes with one wheel and one button. It's going to be the top Christmas gift for Kids and the version many youngsters will be hoping to get in their stocking.

Why walk when you can glide, and why carry your wheels in your pocket when you can carry them in your sole?

Dangerous Roller Shoes

noreply@blogger.com (Satriani) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:23:03 PDT

Roller shoes are the hot new craze on sidewalks and playgrounds around the country. But now, more experts are warning kids to use safety gear.

They look like ordinary sneakers, but when the user shifts his weight in roller shoes, wheels pop out of the heel resulting in a fun and sometimes dangerous ride.

Pediatric Orthopedist Robert Bruce has seen up to 20 young patients in the past year with roller shoe injuries. He says he has seen fractures, broken bones, and mostly in wrists and elbows.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports 1,600 emergency room visits in 2006 because of roller shoes. That compares with 480,000 ER trips because of bicycle injuries.

Heelys, the most popular brand of roller shoes, includes safety information in the packaging and says quote: "We continue to recommend the use of helmets, wrist guards, elbow pads and knee pads."

Dr. Bruce says his injured patients admitted they weren't wearing any protective gear. "In an ideal world, they would have head protection because a head injury does not recover does not heal, they would have maybe wrist guards or elbow pads." He claims many injuries happen when the roller shoes are new and kids are just learning to get their balance.

Protect your body when wearing roller shoes

noreply@blogger.com (Satriani) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:23:03 PDT

BALTIMORE - Roller shoes are the craze among kids but involve great risk without proper protection.

Local hospitals, including the University of Maryland Hospital for Children and Howard County General Hospital, haven’t seen many cases in their emergency rooms. In fact, Sinai Hospital hasn’t seen any cases.

Dr. Richard Lichenstein, director of pediatrics in the emergency room at the University of Maryland Hospital for Children, has seen a few cases, but nothing major. While he’s seen mainly scrapes and bruises, colleagues have seen head injuries, he said.

“If you [the parents] really are observant, prudent and observe its use … [you] can prevent a trip to the ER,” he said.

Dr. Jackson Tsai, a pediatrician at Howard County General Hospital, also hasn’t seen many cases. He has seen bumps and scratches, as well as wrist and elbow injuries. Roller shoes aren’t as damaging as skateboards, he said, but that doesn’t mean proper protection should be forgotten when wearing the shoes.

He recommends protective gear and also attributes the lack of protective gear worn by children to their parents. He is “not a fan for [the shoes].”

Neither are shopping malls, which have started to ban the shoes, Lichenstein said.

“They are so fun, but can be so dangerous,” he said.

Gabriella Gambino, 10, found that out the hard way. She got hurt after running her knee into a ledge at the grocery store.

“I don’t personally like them because they’re really dangerous,” said Lyn Gambino, Gabriella’s mother. She put restrictions on her daughters’ use of the shoes since her accident.

Now, “I wear them around the house” and can’t wear them to school, Gabriella said.

But, the shoes are more comfortable than in-line skates and more versatile because the wheel can be removed, Gabriella said.

How to protect yourself

Safety tips from Lichenstein include wearing:

» a helmet

» elbow pads

» wrist pads

» kneepads

Heely shoes fun but dangerous

noreply@blogger.com (Satriani) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:23:03 PDT

June 7, 2007 (Insidermedicine) Roller shoes, or “Heelys” can be fun to wear, but are causing serious injuries when used without protective gear, according to research published in the journal Pediatrics.

Heelys are innovative sneakers with detachable or convertible wheels in the heel that allow “heelers” to go from a walk to a roll by shifting body weight. They are often sold under the brand names “Heely” or “Street gliders”. Launched in 2000 in the US, they have become extremely popular among children, with more than 4.5 million pairs sold in 60 countries worldwide. Other companies have since created their own version of the Heely, allowing greater access to this new trend and resulting in an increasing number of injuries.

To assess the safety of roller shoes, researchers tracked the number of roller shoe-related injuries at a single hospital during the 2006 summer school holiday.

They found that over a 10 week period, 67 children suffered from Heely or Street Glider-related fractures or dislocated joints, representing 8% of the orthopedic cases over that time. Girls were much more likely to be injured than boys, and the average age of injured children was just under 10.

The study showed that broken wrists were by far the most common injury, but others included broken arms, elbow dislocations, foot and ankle injuries, and broken legs.

Interestingly, 20% of the injuries happened during the first use, and 36% of the injuries were sustained while learning how to use them. None of the children was using protection gear at the time of the injury. Despite their parents’ concern, more than half of the injured children said they wanted to continue using their roller shoes after they recovered from their injury.

It is recommendable that children use protective gear, including wrist guards, while wearing this type of shoes, and that they understand that the skills required to use the rolling feature need to be acquired with practice, just as is true for any other type of skates.

Retractable Roller Shoes, Fun for Whole Family

noreply@blogger.com (Satriani) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:22:38 PDT

Roller shoes are roller skates with retractable or pop out wheels. Also called heelys, these retractable roller shoes are a wonderful way to introduce your whole family to the love and fun of outdoor rollerblading. With a simple push, your shoes will be able to convert from a simple athletic shoe into an excellent roller skate. With retractable roller shoes you can walk, run, and skate without having to change shoes.

Before long, you will be skating with ease and working on mastering new tricks. Not only are retractable roller shoes fun and convenient, they are great for encouraging children to become more active. Without the hassle of heavy equipment or the fuss of changing shoes, kids who tend to stay indoors more can effortlessly spring into action, and begin skating. Skate from parking lot to shopping mall, school classroom, grocery store... retract the wheels and walk as sneakers.

Pop Out or Fixed Wheels

You will find roller shoes with fixed wheels or pop out wheels. Your best option is the style with the pop out wheels. That way it is easier to replace worn out wheels, or remove the wheels when you enter a store which doesn't allow roller blades or roller shoes.

Purchasing Retractable Roller Shoes

You can purchase retractable roller shoes at your local sporting goods store or you can look for cheap heelys or roller shoes online. It isn't a good idea to purchase them from a toy store as they are more than a toy. You should always purchase them from an authorized dealer, and put the same attention to the purchase that you would for any shoe purchase.

There are many different styles to choose from and retractable roller shoes are comfortable as well as fashionable. You can find sizes ranging from children to adult, and they come in a host of colors.

Have Fun with Your Roller Shoes

Retractable roller shoes are perfect for the whole family, and can provide countless hours of pleasurable entertainment. These shoes are cool, comfortable, and fun!

How to Roller Skate Safely

noreply@blogger.com (Satriani) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 08:24:58 PDT

Roller skating works your cardio, improves your core strength and develops your balance and reaction times. Not quite as encompassing as swimming, it's still an exercise that enhances many muscle groups simultaneously. When you do skate, you should practice safety for yourself and others.

Instructions

Step1
Check that your skates are in good condition. Loose toe stoppers may need tightening and wheel nuts can come loose. If your skates aren't quiet or smooth, have your ball bearings changed.
Step2
Use safety gear such as elbow and knee pads, wrist guards and a helmet, especially if you roller skate outdoors.
Step3
Skate at a comfortable speed, slow enough so as to be able to avoid others and to stop quickly if necessary. If you are a beginner, stay to the outside of the rink closest to the wall. Leave the inside lane for the fast skaters.
Step4
Learn to fall. If you are about to go down, refrain from breaking your fall with an outstretched arm which could result in a sprain or break. Relax and just let yourself drop straight down into a sitting position.

Step5
Pay attention. As you roller skate be mindful of people and objects that are in your path so you can navigate around them. Be wary of potholes on the street since they can be hard to spot. Look both ways when crossing a street, even if it's marked one-way.
Step6
Learn how to slow down and stop so you can avoid collisions.

Roller skating

noreply@blogger.com (Satriani) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 08:24:58 PDT

Let's get ready to roll - Dangers in roller skating

With the first sunshine of spring, many people are itching to dig out their skates. Strap on the skates and get rolling - inline skating is both a popular leisure activity and a serious sport for speed or halfpipe enthusiasts. Most skaters have first hand experience that the popular sport is not without its hazards. A sudden obstacle, rough terrain or the wrong material may quickly bring you down, resulting in unpleasant injuries. Yet many injuries can be prevented with the right material, good training and a healthy dose of care. While most skaters are basically aware of this, many are unfamiliar with what really counts. TÜV Product Service, TÜV SÜD Group, therefore provides skating tips.

Safe skating starts with buying the right boots

Anyone interested in inline skating is spoilt for choice: soft boots or hard plastic boots, four or five wheels, hard or soft wheels, laces or buckles - what features are important for safe shoes? First of all, consider that you may pay dearly for being a cheapskate when it comes to equipment; in the majority of cases, low-end inline skates cannot be recommended. The reason: cost-saving manufacturing often results in imprecise workmanship, and thus sluggish or rough skating dynamics. This causes particular problems for beginners. Parents of children who usually grow out of their shoes far too fast, therefore, should avoid making a price-based purchasing decision. Generally speaking, there are skates available in all price categories that meet the safety standards.

Tip: skates that can be adjusted to accommodate multiple sizes

As a matter of principle, skating boots must fit well, i.e. exactly and firmly without causing bruises. As far as safety is concerned, skaters should best look out for the TÜV Product Service certification mark (blue octagon).

The overview explains other important aspects

· Leisure skaters should beware of excessively hard wheels. Softer wheels offer better shock absorption and grip, thus helping to prevent skidding on smooth surfaces during curving.
· Brake pads should not be too hard either. Rubber mixtures especially developed for stoppers offer the best braking characteristics.
· Boots should have a hard cuff to provide extra foothold and prevent twisted ankles. A sturdy cuff also increases the pressure acting on the brake pads during braking.
· Four-wheel skates are perfect for novices as they are easy to turn and make skating simpler. Professional skaters can switch to five wheels if desired. So-called speed skates run faster but are not as maneuverable.
· The right annular bearings are equally important: Ratings ABEC 1 to 5 stand for smooth running. Bearings should be selected according to the skater's skill level, from ABEC 1 for beginners to ABEC 5 for high-speed professionals.

Save your skin - pad yourself up

Once you've selected the right boots, you also need protective gear. Pads for hands, elbows and knees and a safety helmet are a must on every ride. Protective gear also should always be distinguished by TÜV mark/GS mark.
Protective gear must provide a snug fit without cutting into the skin. If you find a set where the knee pads fit while the elbow pads are too wide, ask the sales assistant for another size. And like it or not, pads and safety helmet should be replaced if they have been involved in a serious crash. Even if your protective gear fits perfectly, here’s one more important piece of advice: skaters should put on their protective gear before strapping on their skates, because skidding from a standing position frequently results in bad injuries at the outset.

Before finally starting on tarmac with your new equipment, we recommend joining a training course: after all, the right way to fall, brake and corner is practised most effectively in one of the training courses offered by experienced providers. Now you have good equipment and good training, there’s only one more thing to be done: skate carefully!

Heelys Hazardous for Kids, Study Finds

noreply@blogger.com (Satriani) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 08:24:37 PDT

Even if one hasn't had firsthand experience zipping across sidewalks on a pair of shoes with wheels in the heels, most everyone is familiar with "heeling," as the activity is called.

Now, doctors are worried that the footwear may put young users at increased risk of sprains and fractures, and a new study may further justify their fears.

According to a study released today in the current issue of the journal Pediatrics, 67 children were treated for injuries from footwear known as Heelys and similar products at Temple Street Children's University Hospital in Dublin, Ireland, over a 10-week period last summer.

"The results are pretty amazing," says study author Dr. Mihai Vioreanu, adding that the unnatural balance needed to successfully pilot the shoes likely contributes to injuries.

"This balanced position with a tendency of the body to fall backwards explains the risk of falling," he says.

The study isn't the first red flag that has been raised over the footwear. According to The Associated Press, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported last week that one death and at least 64 roller-shoe injuries could be blamed on the trendy footwear.

And the injuries aren't just in Ireland. In recent years, doctors in Korea, Singapore, the United States and other countries have raised concerns about the shoes and the injuries they may be causing.

All of this comes at a time when the products have already sparked an international craze. Heelys Inc., the company that manufactures the Heelys brand footwear, says it has shipped more than 10 million pairs of the wheeled footwear since its introduction in 2000.

Protective Gear Usually Neglected

The company maintains that its products are safe. Last April, Heelys Inc. announced that a study using Consumer Product Safety Commission data on product-related injuries from January 2001 through September 2006 confirmed that the use of the footwear was significantly safer than bicycling, skateboarding, basketball, soccer and even tennis.

Bay city roller

noreply@blogger.com (Satriani) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 08:24:37 PDT

Naples was a blur. My eyes jogged in their sockets as the airport bus rattled over cobbled streets. It was past 10pm on a warm Mediterranean evening. The cafés along Corso Umberto I buzzed with life. Girls in white, figure-hugging trousers straddled mopeds, lit cigarettes and stuck their bosoms out. Macho Neapolitan men stood three-deep at the bar, sunglasses balanced on their foreheads and their T-shirts stretched over taught muscles as they prodded and slapped each other in fun.

Off the coast, lightning bolts were crashing to earth on the island of Capri, but the smart set holding court at the cafés were not bothered - too busy with their lavish summer-night frivolities before the dawn heralded another day of work.

While Naples's citizens got on with the business of making a living, I embarked on the equally serious business of exploring a city as beautiful as it is chaotic.

A myriad of visitors have come to Naples over the years and most have left their mark. The Greeks built the original Neapolis, or New City, around 600BC. Later, it was occupied by a succession of Romans, Byzantines, Anjevins and Bourbons until Giuseppe Garibaldi liberated the city in 1860, and Naples became part of a united Italy.

Regardless of who was in power, the unstable land beneath Naples periodically shook and exploded as earthquakes and eruptions tore the city apart. Mount Vesuvius rises from the coastal plain to the south-east, a constant reminder that the natural world can strike again at any time.

Another destabilising influ ence is the Camorra, the Neapolitan mafia, but most tourists would never know they existed, such is the friendly ambience of this city. It was just my luck that I should inadvertently get caught up in a spot of local police work aimed at curbing their activities.

It all happened one blissful evening as I strolled along the Via Partenope gazing at a silhouetted cruise ship on the golden Mediterranean. I'd never had a Campari soda before, and Naples seemed the perfect place to start. So I dived into the Pinterre bar, drank two and waited for David Niven and Sophia Loren to whizz around the corner on a Lambretta en route to a white-suit film function on a yacht. The bitter-sweet taste of the Campari seemed to reflect a city that, for all its history and beauty, has a rough edge.

I paid the waiter and left a tip, but I had not gone 100 yards when a plain-clothes policeman grabbed my arm and demanded that I show him my receipt from the bar. When I could not produce it, he urged me in a rather physical manner back to the bar.

Walk and roll with care

noreply@blogger.com (Satriani) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 08:24:37 PDT

As summer vacation starts in earnest, a just-released study may give parents pause before they let their children use Heelys or other wheeled sneakers. This latest study raises more concerns, particularly about novice users, and underscores our previous recommendation: wearers should use protective gear, including a helmet, wrist guards, and knee and elbow pads.

The study, published in the June issue of Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, was conducted by the trauma and orthopedic surgery department of Temple Street Children’s University Hospital in Dublin, Ireland. For 10 weeks last summer, the hospital tracked all roller-shoe injuries referred to the orthopedic department. Not included were more major injuries such as those treated in the ER or, at the other extreme, minor ones handled at home.

Over the 10 weeks, the department saw 67 children with roller-shoe injuries, about 8 percent of the department’s overall workload. Girls accounted for more than 80 percent of the injured. Twenty percent of all the patients were novices, trying roller-sneakers for the first time; a third of the patients had been on Heelys or comparable shoes no more than five times. None of the children used any sort of protective gear at the time of the injury, and only 12 percent were fully familiar with the user instructions.

Eighty-seven percent of the children had “upper-limb trauma,” mostly broken wrists.

The moral here, says the study, is that full protective gear should be worn at all times. We highly doubt that that advice will be taken seriously by kids.

By the way, despite their parents’ intentions that the children stop using Heelys, a majority of the patients said they intended to continue to use them after making a complete recovery.

Faster Heelys! Kill! Kill!

noreply@blogger.com (Satriani) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 08:24:37 PDT

Doctors have come out with shocking news: shoes with wheels are not the most stable way to walk. Around the world medical professionals are reporting broken arms, legs and cracked skulls because of these Heelys "The shoes that roll." Shoes that roll you right into the emergency room.

I'm being melodramatic, like my local television news, but is anyone really surprised that walking with a wheel on the bottom of your shoe is not exactly stable? A report from Dublin, Ireland says over a 10 week period last summer 67 children were treated for injuries after a mishap with Heelys. In the United States, in a 15 month period, one death and 64 "Roller Shoe" accidents were reported to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Same story in Singapore which reports 37 injuries at a hospital over a 7 month period in 2004.

Best quote: "As these shoes are sold in department stores, parents buying them may develop a false sense of security — that they are like any other shoe," said Dr. James Beaty, academy president and a pediatric orthopedic surgeon in Memphis."

They're just regular shoes.....until they crack your head open.

Doctors are now recommending children wear protective gear when wearing Heelys. Since kids wear these shoes all day, I'm finding this suggestion pretty comical. My daughter would sell both her kidneys for a pair of Heelys. I've continually said no because she can't even master the art of the flip flop, I'm not about to put a wheel on her shoe. Even if she agrees to wear protective gear 12 hours a day.

A new childhood threat: roller shoes

noreply@blogger.com (Satriani) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 08:24:37 PDT

I was awed the first time I saw a kid in Heelys, the rolling shoes with the stealth wheels embedded in the heels. The young child had been walking normally when he suddenly shot across the lobby of the YMCA.

They struck me as a disaster waiting to happen, even though the company says you shouldn't "heel" faster than you can walk. But if that's the case, what's the point of using them?

So far, they've been banned by some shopping malls, schools and amusement parks and were considered one of the 10 worst toys for kids last year by the World Against Toys Causing Harm (W.A.T.C.H.)

And now a new study in Pediatrics shows that the shoes are particularly dangerous for beginners and girls.

Last summer, the orthopedic department of a Dublin hospital saw 67 children—56 girls and 11 boys-- for injuries suffered while using "roller shoes" known by the brand names Heelys and Street Gliders.

Fractured and dislocated arms, wrists and shoulders were the most common injuries in the children, who ranged in age from 6.2 to 14.9 years. More than half of the injuries occurred in beginners and none of the children had been using protective gear when injured. The authors weren't sure why more girls were injured and speculated that perhaps more girls wear Heelys.

Most said they would continue "heeling" or "street gliding" after their injuries healed.

One of the problems with the shoes is that they're a cross between sneakers and recreational equipment, said Steven Krug, head of the Division of Emergency Medicine at Children’s Memorial Hospital.

"Most people buy them as footware and don’t assume the necessary precautions," said Krug. "They’re not quite roller skates and not a bicycle, but the same sort of problems can occur. I’ve taken care of kids who see a nice little ramp and engage in Heely mode. Maybe you make it, maybe you don’t."

It's also hard to get kids to wear protective gear when they're walking and suddenly decide to glide twenty feet. Most aren't going to strap on a helmet and wrist pads every time they want to spontaneously roll.

The Heelys company says the product is safer than biking, skateboarding, basketball, soccer and even tennis. But the other sports have more children participating. And is Heeling even a sport?

Regardless, if you have a beginning "heeler" or you want to try them yourself to catch the bus or break twenty minutes in a five-kilometer race, here are a few roller shoe tips from Heelys:

* Heelys recommends protective gear when the wheels are in the shoes and coincidentally sells a helmet and protective pads for ($19.99)
* Always stagger your feet with your strong foot in front – putting them side by side will result in your feet sliding out from under you.
* When walking with the wheels in, do not lean back on your heels and make sure to walk with your toes touching the ground first.
* Be extra cautious when heeling on uneven surface – debris and crevices can cause sudden stops and uncontrolled movements.
* When you feel like you are losing balance, step out of heeling by putting your toes down and lean forward.