Workout question

[FatAndSlow 0]

I play about 3 times a week. I want to start working out but I'm wondering should I workout on the days I play or on the days I don't play. I understand that when you workout that you should give your body a day of rest. Would playing hockey on your day of rest be detrimental?

Thanks in advance

FatAndSlow (Hopefully not for long)

[black hills tj 5]

I would say it probably depends on your routine. Are you working out for cardio or muscle gain?

[sitzlejd 0]

I guess it depends on what you mean by "working out." If you're doing mostly cardio (which i assume based on your name), then I'd use hockey for cardio on those days you have games.

The way I do it is that I don't lift legs or do intense cardio the same day as a game. It usually works out that games fall on the same day as my heavy upper body day, which I don't see as a conflict at all.

If you want to have a true day off where you do nothing, make it a day you don't have hockey. If you're going for weight loss, however, I don't know that you need a whole day off. Just listen to your body and take a day off when you feel yourself being worn down.

[Quintin 16]

Depends on how you feel for the day. Most of the time, it's more mental than physical. I've had days where I've finished full body conditioning circuits hours before practice and felt amazing. But when I have an upper body lifting day and followed by practice, I feel like crap. Just depends how you approach it, with regards to your nutrition and recovery.

[Scotty 8]

Ideally, it would probably be best to have a recovery day in between a lifting session and your game. Let's say you play on Wednesday night. That would mean you put in a tough lifting day on Monday, rest Tuesday, and only play hockey Wednesday (therefore making it an active rest day). Resume lifting on Thursday, etc.

Don't forget that nutrition is paramount and will largely determine your muscle gains, fat losses, and recovery.

[Apes44 7]

What i have found to work really well was the day after a game do my heavy leg day ad two days before a light leg day so i hit them twice a week but i only play once a week. Just experiment with things and go with what you feel...i know a guy who does legs day of the game and he has no problems.

[JoeyJ0506 192]

What i have found to work really well was the day after a game do my heavy leg day ad two days before a light leg day so i hit them twice a week but i only play once a week. Just experiment with things and go with what you feel...i know a guy who does legs day of the game and he has no problems.

But somehow you still have little chicken legs..

In all seriousness he's right. Depending on your level of fitness, diet, body composition, etc. you will react very differently to exercise than anyone can probably predict (outside of a trainer, etc.). I personally cannot lift or do resistance cardio (see: bike, elliptical, rowing, or stair climber) before I play because no matter how much potassium, protein, electrolytes, etc I put into my body I know I will get cramps in both my legs and arms during the game that night. I do enjoy going for a jog the day of a game though.

Experiment and see what works best for you.

[Beflar 53]

As you get older your going to have to start to do things like stretching and cool downs etc. the stuff you never did as a kid. Your going to find that once you start getting into better shape your body can do more. So just pace yourself at the start of the year and you can ramp up from there. Make sure to get yourself some time off as well so you don't burn out.