Off Ice Hockey Conditioning: How to Analyze Your Workout

Off ice hockey conditioning is essential for a player to improve his or her skills and strength. Working out can dramatically increase your performance when you are on the ice. Because of this, a player needs to constantly analyze his or her workout routine to make sure it is being effective and maximizing a player's potential. Some things that should be considered in off ice hockey conditioning workouts include focusing on which muscles are targeted, the amount of weight being used, and is enough rest being balanced with the workout.

Depending on which muscle group you are targeting, a hockey player needs to determine the proper amount of weight is necessary for a suitable workout. As time passes, players should be increasing the amount of weight as appropriate. Oftentimes, hockey players fall into a routine and simply lift the same amount of weights every time they hit the gym. While this may be effective at first, over time it will not provide a very vigorous workout, so a player is not maximizing his or her full potential. Additionally, a player needs to make sure that all of the different muscle groups are being targeted. Leaving certain muscles out of the workout will hurt your performance overall, so you need to make sure that you have a proper balance in your workout.

Another thing hockey players need to remember in their off ice hockey conditioning is that rest is very important. The body needs time to physically recover between workouts, so working out the same muscles everyday can lead to potential injury. If you give your body time to recover, you should see that your time in the gym is more enjoyable and you will likely be able to get better workouts in when you have been fully rested, rather than simply going through the motions and using less weight when you are feeling physically exhausted.

In addition to simply lifting weights, cardio is extremely important in a sport like ice hockey. You should analyze your workout and make sure that some form of cardio exercise is included in your workout routine.

Sources:

USA Hockey
Carbon Hockey Sticks