Last updated on November 18th, 2022 at 09:57 pm
Any hockey player with any kind of dream of making the jump to big-time hockey like junior, college, or even the pro level needs to have some sort of ice hockey weight training program in place to help them achieve their goals. There’s only a handful of players out there today that’ll ever get by without training off the ice. My advice would be to play on the side of caution and assume you’re NOT one of those players.
You should always be striving to give yourself the best chance to succeed. Having a hockey training program in place is just one step to making sure you do that.
Here are 3 musts for your ice hockey weight training program:
1. An Ice Hockey Weight Training Program Should Consist Of Some Mobility work
Too often hockey players concentrate too much effort with getting stronger in the gym and forget they need to learn how to MOVE properly first. Once you know how to properly move and you constantly practice moving properly, then “have at ‘er” with adding strength to your frame. Hockey players should be especially concerned with mobility in the ankles, hips, and thoracic spine.
2. Train For Stability and Strength
Including stability exercises in your ice hockey weight training program is another element that often gets bypassed by hockey players. The core is the major area that needs stability training and is the place in the body that’s used to transfer force towards the limbs. An unstable core is a recipe for injury, not only in the game, but in the gym as well.
Having increased strength is every hockey player’s goal in the weight room, and rightly so. Most players want to throw as much weight as they can on the bar, but can’t even do a proper pushup. Training should begin with bodyweight exercises and once those are mastered, then it’s time to start getting under the bar.
3. Train With Goals In Mind
I haven’t always been the best at this as playing rec hockey doesn’t always motivate me to the fullest, but as soon as I don’t have a goal to work towards, I start noticing a decline in my performance. It’s always important to have a purpose for training, but not only that, a specific goal in mind at all times. Training for hockey never ends until you hang up your skates, so having a goal keeps things fresh as well as motivating.
If you’re looking for more workout creating tips check these 7 out. Not only does it keep things motivating but it gives hockey players goals to work towards, which most programs leave out.
Scott is a hockey coach, hockey dad, as well as a hockey off-ice performance coach(Exercise Physiologist and Strength Coach) with a wide range of experience in everything hockey training related. Learn more about Scott.