| Hockey is an extremely dynamic game, and hockey | | | | Legs don't impress at the beach and so a lot of |
| conditioning is of the utmost importance if you want to | | | | people hit the gym and ignore them in favour of their |
| dominate on the ice. Heading to the gym regularly is | | | | chest and arms. Muscles that make people's jaw drop |
| always a good idea, but if you're a hockey player, just | | | | might make you feel good, but if you want to be a |
| going and working out for a bit isn't enough. There are | | | | good hockey player, you cannot ignore your legs. Your |
| certain areas you need to be focusing on. Here are | | | | legs are your most important asset in hockey. Squats, |
| the top three areas you can't afford to ignore if you | | | | split-squats, dead lifts, step-ups and more should all be |
| want to train to be your best. | | | | part of your regular workout routine. |
| 1) Core strength | | | | 3) Plyometrics |
| Core strength is unbelievably important. A need for | | | | Plyometrics is one of the hockey player's best friends. |
| core strength is something common to all sports, but | | | | Plyometrics focus around jumping and bounding, and |
| hockey especially so because of how unstable it is. | | | | the goal is to develop fast, explosive movements. |
| When you skate, turn, hit, shoot and pass, core | | | | Plyometrics will make your muscles more powerful |
| strength comes into play. A great way to work on | | | | and improve your speed and quickness. Some people |
| your core strength is to add instability to your other | | | | won't do plyometrics in a gym because they think it |
| exercises by using an exercise ball instead of a bench | | | | looks goofy. If you're one of those people fine, take it |
| or seat. | | | | outside, but don't ignore this aspect of training at any |
| 2) Your legs | | | | cost. |