Many youth players are starting to use dryland training exercises at the request of coaches and parents. Many hockey coaches are running these dryland training sessions themselves after looking up exercises on the internet or remembering what they did when they were kids. At hockeyot.com we offer a professional training package that can make your […]
Making Proper Nutrition a Priority – Part 2
In our last article we talked about the importance of eating a good breakfast to start your day. Let’s now focus on the other meals of the day. It goes without saying that your body will perform much better if you use premium fuel to keep it going. There is a lot of information out […]
Making Proper Nutrition a Priority – Part 1
You can’t build the machine, or keep it running, without the proper fuel. If you are going to be serious about training for the game of hockey, proper nutrition needs to be part of the equation. An individualized nutrition planning guide is included in HockeyOT, so this article will focus on high level concepts. It […]
Get More Speed in Your Game, Part 2
The key to increased speed is less contact time with the ground or ice due to a more powerful sprinting action. As simple as this statement is, athletes will spend most of their training time on increasing speed. Team sports such as hockey make heavy demands on sprint capabilities. The truly great players are able […]
How to Choose the Right Fitness Trainer
You have decided to get serious about training for hockey. Many questions can come up now. What exercises should you do? How many days per week? Should you train during the season? To help answer some of these questions you may decide to hire a fitness trainer. Trainers can help maintain motivation and avoid training […]
A Pain in the Groin!
Groin injuries are among the most common injuries seen in hockey. A groin pull is a painful and debilitating injury to the muscles of the inner thigh. Research has shown that hip flexibility, and more importantly, strengthening, can help decrease the occurrence of groin strains. Hip strengthening should be performed during the entire season to maintain […]
Do You Know How Much Water You Need to Drink?
This article is slightly scientific and has a few simple math calculations but don’t be afraid! If you read it and apply the ideas you will gain a significant advantage over your dehydrated competition. Failure to adequately hydrate on a daily basis, and especially during exercise, can lead to impaired heat dissipation. This can elevate […]
10 Tips for Optimal Recovery after Workouts
We have identified 10 things that an athlete can do to assist their body in regenerating between workouts. This is a crucial element in a training regime, because the quicker you can recover between workout sessions, the more frequently you can train with a higher intensity. 1) Drink water before, during and after exercise. This […]
A Simple Exercise to Improve Skating Speed
The leg muscles are under a heavy load as your skate blades dig into the ice. These muscles are also among the strongest in the body, and if used correctly, can greatly enhance performance. Many beginner skaters have an exaggerated forward lean that comes more from the spine than from the hips. As a result, the […]
The Best Warm-up for Your Team
I’ve been seeing a significant increase in young hockey teams using what is called a dynamic warm-up prior to games. I definitely applaud this new trend. It is a great way to stimulate the central nervous system and prepare the muscles for a dynamic activity like hockey. It can help improve game performance […]
Off-Ice Training During the Season to Take Your Game to the Next Level
What Should I Do For In-Season Training? You worked hard all summer with off-ice training, and finally the season is here. “Do I need to keep up with the off-ice work now?” The answer is definitely yes. Over 60% of a hockey player’s time is spent in-season, so if you are not training with weights […]
How To Stay Committed To a Hockey Fitness Program
Many players begin an exercise program but very few actually stay committed. We all have our reasons for starting a fitness program. Some adult players tend to aim for weight loss and reduced body fat, while others target a healthier lifestyle or minimizing injuries. Youth hockey players often aim to get stronger and faster to enhance […]