Pushup tempo

Top 3 Techniques To Get Stronger Without Weights

Top 3 Techniques To Get Stronger Without Weights

Although we live in a performance world where everyone wants to use weights to get stronger which obviously can work…but before you go buying all those weights, there are a few techniques you can still use to get super strong that can be done anywhere anytime! We’ll break down our top 3 techniques. we use with our athletes.

Tempo

Adding tempo to your exercises can greatly increase the strength you can gain from them. Tempo refers to the time under tension during your reps. Let’s use a pushup for example. Use a 5 second down, 5 sec up cadence on your pushup. This will greatly increase the difficulty and strength you can gain from the exercise! You can also add in pauses during your reps too. This will not only make the exercises harder but also will improve your body control and stability!

 

 

Intensity

Intensity is referring to how hard your body is working during exercise. Ok, this may seem like an obvious one but there are specific ways to increase the intensity to make sure your getting the most of your exercise program! Let’s use a squat for an example. A body weight squat may not be hard but you can add a jump to add intensity or switch to only one leg to increase the intensity of it.Another way to increase intensity is to combine multiple exercises together without any breaks. This is called super setting. An example may be pushups right into pullups or squat jumps right into jump lunges.

 

 

Duration

Duration is exactly what it sounds like, how long you are performing an exercise. Either you can do an exercise for continuous reps until failure or complete a certain amount of reps in a certain period of time. An example is on our challenge days with our athletes they may have to complete 200 pushups and 50 pullups, among various other exercises in a certain period of time. Anyone who has ever completed a challenge workout with us knows they are no joke and require some serious strength!

 

 

Now you can see there are many ways to still get super strong without needing heavy weights. Although weights still have a place in a balanced elite hockey player program, the ability to be strong through your bodyweight first is always a core component we look to instill in our athletes!

Written by:

Rob Jost – ACE-CPT, NSCA-CPT

 

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3 ways boxing can increase hockey performance

Boxing for Hockey players training

Boxing, Team, Boxing Family, Boxing is Therapeutic, Boxing in Your Life

Improving hockey performance varies for each individual, but one consistent factor is the foundational ability to move effectively. Whether it’s increasing foot speed, getting stronger in the corners, improving speed, or enhancing shot power—all common needs for developing hockey players—dry land training proves invaluable. Directly focusing on the athlete’s needs allows for remarkable results. Pairing hockey with another sport that demands similar movements for success, such as boxing, can reinforce these skills exceptionally well.

Footwork:

Understanding how to shift weight and produce high force effectively is unparalleled. Boxing footwork drills emphasize speed and endurance, demanding athletes to move quickly and sustain activity levels throughout training. Improved foot speed, stamina, and cardiovascular fitness are beneficial attributes in any sport requiring bursts of speed and sustained effort, including hockey.

Punch Power Production:

Boxing training emphasizes developing rotational power and speed, crucial for hockey players. Boxers generate force through rapid rotation of the hips, torso, and shoulders, enabling them to deliver powerful punches with precision and speed. Similar training techniques can benefit hockey players by enhancing rotational power during shooting, passing, quick turns, and hitting. Understanding how to execute a cross, hook, or uppercut facilitates athletic development without over-teaching, simplifying the transition for hockey players to shooting, passing, and hitting.

Change of Direction:

Boxers utilize lateral movement and angles to change direction and create openings for counterattacks. Stepping to the side or pivoting allows boxers to avoid oncoming punches and position themselves for effective strikes. Efficiently generating power from different angles is essential for any athlete, particularly hockey players. Training on and off the ice, combined with boxing, reinforces confidence in athletic ability and maximizes performance potential.Boxing for hockey players

Increasing athletic ability is crucial for executing the demands of any sport effectively. Off-ice training enhances athletic prowess, enabling mastery of movements. Incorporating another sport with similar demands, yet individual-based like boxing, aids in developing and mastering essential skills.

#unleashthepotential

 

Written by: 

Kirill Vaks CSCS

 

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Confidence on the ice

How Training Builds Confidence on the Ice

How Training Builds Confidence on the Ice


Confidence can seem like it comes out of nowhere sometimes, but it’s usually a combination of proper preparation and putting in the work!  Getting stronger physically can obviously have huge effect but also mentally how a player perceives himself can sometimes be the biggest thing holding them back. We’ll breakdown where a player can build their confidence the most to truly start unleashing their potential!

Mental Fortitude

Many times we hold our selves back because mentally we don’t believe in ourselves or we think the other team or player is bigger, stronger and faster than us but sometimes this is just a mental block. We’ve seen kids confidence skyrocket after just a few sessions! Although you could gain some strength and skill in that time that’s definitely more of a mental boost of confidence! This could be a one time mental confidence boost, but consistently training will keep your confidence high knowing that your are primed and ready to take on any situation no matter the circumstances!

Training Aspects is the home of the hockey player hockey trainingBattle Tested

The ability to find comfort in the uncomfortable is everything! And that is what we look to instill in all our athletes through our training. We don’t encourage wearing a hoodie for nothing! The battle you have to go through of being uncomfortable while wearing a hoodie in the heat of the summer while pushing through a workout is like non other! Safety is always number 1 when wearing a hoodie in our training program but the mental grit and confidence that comes from being battle tested through training with a hoodie on truly prepares you for the really tough situations! There is just something different about being battle tested like our athletes are that prepares you take on any game situation with poise and strength knowing you can conquer and crush it!

Strength and Physical Readiness

This is an obvious one but through a proper training program you build strength, speed and the ability for your body to endure more for longer! When improving your body’s well being, a sense of increased confidence definitely starts to show. Increasing all of these attributes among others help you feel ready to take on anything in the game. When your body feels strong and ready, you feel ready! This leads to a sustained increase in confidence and a huge increase in overall performance!

If you’re looking to skyrocket your confidence and take your game to the elite level start to really focus on and incorporate these aspects into your off-season program! We are always here if you need any help or guidance on how to create a better off-season program so you know you’re getting the most out of it!

pullups for hockey training

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Written by: 

Rob Jost ACE-CPT, NSCA-CPT

 

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The Best Way to Prep Your Muscles for Workout or Performance

The Best Way to Prep Your Muscles for a Workout or Performance

Remember R.M.A.I.

Optimal physical performance and overall fitness require preparation for our muscles to be at their most effective. Whether you’re gearing up for a workout, sports performance, or simply aiming to enhance daily mobility, the type of muscle preparation can significantly impact how you move and feel. Understanding the four essential steps — Release, Mobilize/Stretch, Activate, and Integrate — forms the cornerstone of a holistic approach to muscle prep. This effective method caters to the needs of all populations, from easing tension in overactive muscles to improving range of motion and enhancing muscle engagement. Let’s unlock your body’s full potential to ensure a flourishing, smooth performance!

Release The Muscles:

Priming muscles for performance or training becomes more challenging when they’re tense or overactive. The muscles you’ll be targeting are typically the ones that feel the tightest or sore. Releasing these muscles helps alleviate tension, improving range of motion and reducing discomfort. Begin by using a foam roller or a palm-sized ball to target the muscle in need of release. Position the muscle on the roller or ball and roll up and down until you locate the ‘sweet spot’—the area that feels the most tense and sore. The aim isn’t to force the muscle onto this spot but rather to focus on controlled breathing and relaxation while pressure releases tension. Each spot requires at least a minute as different muscles will vary in tightness. Once each targeted muscle is released, you can proceed to stretch/mobilize step.

Mobilize/Stretch:

Mobilization is a crucial step in creating stronger ranges of motion. With the surrounding muscles released, it’s time to test and enhance the ranges of motion by facilitating movement throughout the joints. This process gradually opens up the joints, making them easier to move through without the discomfort of soreness or tightness. Mobilizing the limbs alleviates stiffness, allowing for deeper and fuller ranges of motion translated through the exercises. When it comes to stretching, dynamic stretching can also be incorporated, but static stretching should be avoided unless the muscles are already adequately warmed up. Engaging in static stretching without proper warm-up may hinder performance and could potentially lead to muscle strain. Mobilizing includes moving the joint throughout it’s entire ranges of motion in a nice controlled fashion. Simply said, it lays the groundwork for stronger ranges of motion by facilitating joint movement.

Activation:

After mobilization, next is activating the muscles to prepare them for the upcoming demands. Activating the muscles involves engaging them in a controlled manner throughout the desired range of motion. Think of this step as priming and waking up the muscles for their optimal performance in these deeper ranges. By activating the muscles, you increase blood flow and improve the neuromuscular communication needed to go past the usual mobility they’re used to. Muscle activation exercises help reinforce proper movement patterns, reducing the risk of injury and maximizing performance by incorporating loaded dynamic movements that can further stimulate the muscles and prepare them. This phase sets the stage for a smooth transition into more intense movements, ensuring that your muscles are ready to perform at their best while minimizing the risk of strain or injury.

Integrate The Muscles:

The final step is integration, which involves mimicking the specific movements that will be performed during training or the performance itself. Integration allows the muscles to seamlessly transition from activation to functional movement patterns, ensuring optimal coordination and efficiency. By replicating the demands of the upcoming activity, integration reinforces the neuromuscular pathways. This phase not only prepares the body for the specific challenges ahead but also enhances the body’s awareness of its position and movements in space. Through targeted integration exercises, such as sport-specific drills, functional movements, or dynamic simulations, the body is slowly prepared for full performance. By completing the integration phase, you bridge the gap between preparation and execution, ensuring that your muscles are fully primed to excel!

Here is an example tutorial focusing on the ankle:

Written by:

Dan Aquino – ASFA-CPT

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Skating stride good form

Top 3 Ways to Improve Hockey Stride Performance

Top 3 Ways to Improve Hockey Stride Performance

The off-season is here and it’s time to start training for next year! Hockey stride performance is always at the top of the mind of every parent and kid at season end. “How do I improve my stride?” How do I get faster?” We’re here to help answer those questions and be as efficient as possible in your training program focus. So you can maximize those off-season hockey stride gainz!

 

Hockey Stride Tip 1:  Ankle Mobility

Ankle mobility is one of the most under rated yet important aspects of improving your stride speed, power and performance! Coaches always say GET LOW! And they’re correct…but what might not be understood is a lot of getting low is bout ankle mobility!  Without the ability to dorsiflex or bend your ankle forward efficiently, how low you can get into your stride will be greatly limited. Here are a couple pictures to show the difference ankle mobility makes in getting lower in your stride and the effect it has on the whole body posture while skating.

Skating stride bad form

Poor Stride form, limited ankle mobility

Skating stride good form

Skating stride with proper ankle mobility

Hockey Stride Tip 2:  Ankle, Knee, Hip Alignment

Proper alignment is everything when it comes to creating more power and overall speed in your skate stride! Without aligning the three main joints of the lower body (ankle, knee, hip) your ability to produce power and speed will be greatly reduced. You can’t produce force effieciently off an unstable foundation. If the joints are aligned strongly the body can produce great force and power leading to increased speed and performance of your stride! Checck out the pictures below for proper ankle, knee and hip alignment.

 

Skate stride alignment

Poor Alignment of Ankle, Knee, Hip

 

Skate stride alignment

Proper alignment of ankle, knee, hip

Hockey Stride Tip 3: Hip Extension

Maximizing your hip extension is the ultimate when it comes to improving stride efficiency and power output! If each stride has a bigger pushoff and extension of the hip this leads to less strides needed. This will lead to better skating efficiency. Better skating efficiency will lead to increased stamina to last through the 3rd period and keep the body fresher through the long season! Here are some pics to show efficient hip extension.

 

Hip extension for stride

Poor Hip Extension in your stride

 

Skating stride good form

Skating stride with proper hip extension

 

Now you know what to focus on in your stride mechanics and positioning to maximize your performance this off-season! If you still have questions or are not sure how to add these things into your program, don’t hesitate to reach out! We’ d love to answer any questions you have or invite you in for a complimentary movement assessment to truly help you…

UNLEASH THE POTENTIAL!

Written By:

Rob Jost ACE-CPT, NSCA-CPT

 

Suggested Article: Top 3 Off-Season Mistakes to Avoid

 

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