Business
BY KATLYNN FOX
With over 40 years experience on a board, John Miller opened his own school and shop geared to make skate training accessible to all. At The Skate Gym in Leander, he blends a controlled gym setting with the raw creativity of skateboarding. “People [ask] ‘Is skateboarding an art or a sport?’ Miller said. “It’s both. It’s creative, but it’s also a discipline—just like a sport. Skateboarding is like a perfect marriage between the two.” What they oer The skating concept opened just over a year ago, oering youth, teen and adult classes, private lessons and limited open skate hours. Beginner classes focus on four core skills—drop- ping in, learning to pump the ramp, performing little ollies as well as a rock to fakie. To eliminate barriers to entry, The Skate Gym distributes used boards and equipment to students if their board breaks or if they have equipment issues. The Skate Gym also oers workshops, col- laborating previously with the Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center and visually impaired students within Round Rock ISD. Respecting the craft One of the coolest aspects of The Skate Gym is that it has become a multi-generational practice for families, Miller said. Often, parents or siblings will watch their children during class and then want to learn to skate. “Then they’re going to the skate park together,” Miller said. “They’re getting outside, they’re getting physical activity o their screens and they’re doing something that’s basically free after they buy a board.” How it works Miller said he breaks down skateboarding skills, such as pushing, stance, and dropping in, into basic steps using a PVC pipe to spot students as they learn—similar to learning the proper form for weightlifting. The context Throughout delays in opening The Skate Gym, Miller started working at Elevate Fitness, where he earned his personal trainer and corrective exercise specialist certications. He took inspiration from other training gyms to create an accessible environment for beginners, as The Skate Gym fosters a hub for creativity and expression in Leander
The Skate Gym has become a place where anyone interested in the sport can participate. Miller said he especially wants girls to learn how to take up space and feel good about it.
PHOTOS BY KATLYNN FOX COMMUNITY IMPACT
The skate shop oers a range of apparel and brands, with a focus on uplifting local companies.
The Skate Gym owner John Miller has been skateboarding since he was eight-years-old.
skateparks are notoriously intimidating for people, Miller said. Learn more The Skate Gym also oers classic and local skating brands, selling boards, wheels and apparel. Local companies oered include Day One, Beware, Cherries and Bone Crue. Miller also uplifts local talent through a zine, where skaters in the community can collaborate through writing and collages. He fosters a creative cohort through additional events at the gym, including paint and skate nights.
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11880 Hero Way W., Ste. 704, Leander www.theskategym.com
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LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
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