| Not all training is alike, and hockey strength training will | | | | game, and should be a top priority. Also, working your |
| specifically target exercises that will translate into | | | | legs promotes the release of testosterone, which will |
| improvements when you hit the ice. To be at your | | | | help your whole body gain. |
| best at the rink, you need to always be training, and | | | | 3) Try doing your lifting on a Swiss-ball for instability. |
| the weight room is one of the best places to do it. | | | | Hockey is an inherently unstable game, so doing your |
| Here are three tips on getting the most out of your | | | | off-ice training under unstable conditions will directly |
| workouts. | | | | benefit your game. Using an exercise ball to add |
| 1) Train for power as well as strength and | | | | instability to your lifting will help activate your core and |
| endurance.Not all lifting trains your muscles in the same | | | | stabilizer muscles more, regardless of what muscle |
| way. A lot of players will go to the gym and do 8 or | | | | group you're targeting. There are a lot of ways to |
| more reps of certain weight, at a pretty medium pace. | | | | incorporate a ball into lifting, such as sitting on one for |
| This kind of lifting will train strength. To train power, a | | | | curls, using one as a bench for presses, or putting your |
| necessity in hockey, you need to use more weight, | | | | foot on one for split squats. |
| through fewer repetitions, and explode through the | | | | Following these three tips will help you increase your |
| positive part of the lifts quickly (but always in control | | | | on-ice gains from your off-ice workouts, but these are |
| and with proper form!) | | | | only a few ways you can maximize you in-game |
| 2) Working your legs should be a top priority. | | | | performance through hockey specific training. For the |
| A lot of people don't like working their legs, whether it | | | | best results, get a good hockey based training manual, |
| be because they find it boring, or because they'd | | | | or consult a sport-specific trainer to get a full workout |
| rather spend time on beach muscles. Some guys even | | | | designed. Whatever you do though, always try and |
| say that their legs get enough of a pump on the ice, | | | | think of ways to target your workouts specifically to |
| and so they don't need to hit them in the gym. Wrong. | | | | help your game, and your improvements on the ice will |
| Your legs are the driving force behind your entire | | | | be noticeable. |