I Went Rollerskating For The First Time In Years At Insanity Complex In Alabama

Rollerskating at Insanity Complex in Madison, Alabama was one of the most fun things I have done since returning to my home state a few years ago. I hadn't been in five or six years, despite having grown up with skates on my feet as soon as I could walk. That's not at all hyperbole, either. My parents simply laced me up in skates with tightened wheels, slowly loosening them as I got used to clunking around on quads.

Skating had been a family affair long before I came along. My grandparents met at a long-gone North Alabama skating rink many years ago and eventually opened a rural rink in Kentucky for a time in the 1960s. My parents met in high school around then, and I have a photo of the two of them in front of his 16th birthday gift he shared with his brother – a '57 Ford 500. Fast forward to my early childhood, and my dad owned and operated a few rinks around Alabama in the '80s and '90s.

With that context, it hopefully makes sense how important it seems to me to find a "home rink" back in my home state. That led me to Insanity Complex one summer Sunday. Lace up and roll with me as I share my experience, and you might want to give it a go, too.

I'll start by saying that Insanity Complex in Madison, Alabama is much more than a mere rollerskating rink. The 28-acre family entertainment venue opened in 2015 and includes batting cages, miniature golf, and a skate park. And that's just outdoors.

A 30-foot rock-climbing wall greets you once you enter, plus a laser tag space, and a huge variety of arcade games.

If you need wheels, there's a well-stocked pro shop with skates. If you're not quite ready to commit, head over to the huge, tidy skate rental booth. Skate rental is $4.50 per person, and rolling skate aid props for beginners are $5 to rent.

I bought a new pair of skates a couple of years before the pandemic, so they haven't gotten much use. I was so excited to give them another spin at this clean, modern and spacious rink.

The floor at Insanity's rink is polyurethane versus wood. While I prefer wood because that's what I was most used to growing up, the floor here was nice, clean, and smooth. It took a few laps, my balance came back just like riding a bike (in my case, probably better).

The session I attended was an afternoon matinee, and it wasn't very crowded. That was great for me since I was getting my bearings! The complex has various special events and specials, and hours and sessions vary seasonally. I loved the music selections the day I visited because a lot of the songs were '80s and '90s hip-hop, funk, and other rink throwbacks I know all too well.

Have you gone skating or done another activity at Insanity Complex in Madison, Alabama? If you want to check it out, you'll find the current schedule, hours of operation, and admission fees on the Insanity Complex website. Keep up to date on special events by following Insanity Complex Facebook page. Want to get all the best gear for your next trip to the rink? Check out REI's inventory of roller skating helmets, pads, and skates!