overdue return to the game!

[sol9jam 0]

Whats up? If you read my other posts..youll know i just got back into the game after a 13yr hiatis.......and man has this been long overdue, i got all geared up, been playing pick up twice a week, getting my lungs and feet back, just signed up for a mens leaque, nothing to intense....just wanted some feed back and ideas on what to do off the ice to expedite improvements to my game, i read some threads on conditioning, but im just looking for a few simple exercises, or drills i can do at home inbetween ice time to stay sharp.....any input would be great..thanks!!

[hampshirepuck 2]

cardio cardio cardio, I usually do intervals on a bike for 30 mins then lunges then nautilus circuit, watch what you eat before you play I usually eat something light 2 hours before

[Shayno 1]

I am in the same "boat".....took about 14-15yrs off, and am back....would like to hear some strengthening and coditioning options. Thanks Sol9jam!

[Jason Harris 31]

I think the elliptical machines are great training aids for hockey, because they are low impact yet designed in a way that allows people to go closer to a sprint's pace.

[wrangler 157]

I took about 25 years off. I started getting into condition by playing basketball after a 15-year layoff there. Full-court, 1-2.5 hours, worked up to 3-5 days a week.

[Tailboard Jockey 25]

I think the elliptical machines are great training aids for hockey, because they are low impact yet designed in a way that allows people to go closer to a sprint's pace.

From what I've read about elliptical machines, they don't provide enough resistance to make it worth your time on one. It will get your hear rate up, but don't do much for your muscles.

[Jason Harris 31]

I would strongly disagree with that. In fact, it's possible to put the resistance so high that you wouldn't get much in the way of cardiovascular results, so I try to increase the resistance to the highest level I can go while still getting my heart rate up to 80% or more. However, I find the ellipticals with arm poles to be worthless, since the arms become a limiting factor. Maybe someone could run at X pace, but could only go 70% of X pace with the arms, so the legs don't get the workout they need.

That said, when I claimed that ellipticals are a great training tool for hockey, they are, but they're not the only exercising I do. I'll do a whole body workout with weights or machines, then finish up with the elliptical and/or treadmill.

[fsuhockeystar97 0]

I would try P90X or something similar to that. Builds strength, flexibility, and endurance. Has 6 to 7 days worth of workouts for each week (Day 7 is an optional stretching routine). All the strength workouts are done with short rest periods, so they help with endurance as well as strength. Lays out options to where you can focus on bulking up or on trimming down or in between. Has good explanations as to why you should do everything it has you doing. Also comes with a nutrition guide to help you eat healthier. Its a good program, I've had it for a couple years(got it while I was still in the Army), just started using it for the third time. I jump into it whenever I start feeling out of shape. Not really much information as far as maintaining with it, but they do offer an add-on program called P90X plus that you can add in if you're feeling really spunky. I've never tried that one, but a friend of mine said it's nuts.

[Hidious 0]

P90X is pretty hardcore if you aren't already in good shape. But i agree, check out Plyo X and you can choose some exercises in there. Doing the whole routine is better but...painful ;)

[fsuhockeystar97 0]

Yeah it is prett hardcore. Could always do Power 90 though. My fiance found P90X too hard, loves Power 90. It's designed more for someone who isn't necessarily iin great shape. Not as thorough, but a good start. And you can always go to P90X afterwards.

[Deerok 3]

I feel pretty fortunate that my gym has a type of elliptical machine that simulates a skating stride (forget what it's called). Basically instead of moving your feet back and forth you move them back and out and to the sides like you were skating.

I do sprints of 45 seconds to a minute (on a high resistance level) and then slow back down to a normal pace for a few minutes and back again at a high tempo (using as close to on ice form as possible-knee bend).

it probably looks funny, but it's effective.

[hampshirepuck 2]

I feel pretty fortunate that my gym has a type of elliptical machine that simulates a skating stride (forget what it's called). Basically instead of moving your feet back and forth you move them back and out and to the sides like you were skating.

I do sprints of 45 seconds to a minute (on a high resistance level) and then slow back down to a normal pace for a few minutes and back again at a high tempo (using as close to on ice form as possible-knee bend).

it probably looks funny, but it's effective.

thats pretty wild i wish my gym had one of those... does it have speeds like a treadmill?

[GoBucky 0]

Cardio and lower leg exercises. I found that making my lower legs and ankles stronger did a lot to improve my skating.

[Konig von Kuhlem 0]

I've been trying the leg exercise programs from the "Vertical Jump Development Bible". Best money I've ever spent on an exercise book! And it's only twice a week...

http://www.higher-faster-sports.com/products.html

[t6lock 24]

For the people concerned saying P90X might be a little hardcore, I did a workout called Beachbody Insanity which is pure cardio. It's a 60 day program that you can definitely extend on your own schedule, but I did this before my hockey season started, and I had never felt better playing hockey in my 15 years of playing. My favourite part of the workout was you didn't need any weights or props or anything, just an open floor.

[Joshison 1]

When me and my buddy started getting back into it we would go to stick times, and mess around then at the end do some suicides when most people were off the ice.