If you’re anything like us, when the latest season of the NHL gets underway, you’ll be excitedly waiting for the puck to drop and the action to begin. But before you know it, those exciting hours will be gone and you’ll be scrambling for a way to make the most of your time before the puck drops again. Don’t worry, we’ve got your covered.
Whether you have an outdoor rink, a backyard, or even a tennis court, there’s always somewhere for you to practice your slap shot. But what if your favorite way to spend an evening is curling up with a good book and a mug of tea? Wouldn’t it be great if you could still play hockey and feel like you’re practicing, knowing that when the time comes, you’ll be able to hit the ice and enjoy yourself?
Well, you can! All you need is a pair of hockey skates, a hockey puck, and some patience! We’ll go over the basic process of stretching your skates so you can hit the ice without any pain or problems.
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Get A Customized Locker.
It’s important to keep your equipment organized and clean, which means you’ll need a place for all of your skates. You can’t make any significant progress if you don’t have a place to put all of the gear you’re working on. So, get a lockable storage unit for all of your winter gear, and make sure it’s big enough for all of your hockey equipment as well.
Set Up Regular Stretching Sessions.
After a long day of work or school, it’s nice to come home, relax, and work out. If you’ve got the space, why not? Find a space in your home that’s dedicated to working out, and set up a regular session. It doesn’t need to be extraordinary. Just pick a room with some free space and a treadmill. We know it can be hard to find the time during the week, so try and schedule it on a Sunday morning, if possible.
Wash And Dry All Skates Before Stretching.
Before you begin stretching your skates, it’s essential to clean them thoroughly and dry them. Harsh chemicals such as cleansers and sprays can strip away at the surface of the blade, rendering it less flexible and potentially causing serious injury. While it may be tempting to skip this step, it cannot be stressed enough how important it is. After cleaning and conditioning your skates, you’ll be able to begin stretching them without worry.
Use Your Stretching Routine.
The first step to stretching your skates is knowing how to do it. The process is quite simple, but it doesn’t mean it’s easy. Take a moment to read the tips below and you’ll be on your way to hitting the ice in no time!
Stand In Front Of The Mirror.
When you begin stretching your skates, you’ll need to stand in front of a mirror. This is important for observing precise form, as well as noting any significant improvements that may have occurred during the session. If you’re not used to observing your body in detail, this may be a little challenging at first. But, if you work at it, you’ll soon be able to see subtle changes that will allow you to continue improving.
Check For Loose Clothing.
One of the first things you’ll notice when you begin stretching your skates is that your clothing is very likely to be slightly more restricted than usual. This will make it much easier to stretch, as your body will be more free to move. Next, remove any jewelry or other items that may be in the way. Most importantly, make sure that your shoes are comfortable and that there are no laces or other obstacles that could prevent you from moving freely.
Begin At The Start Of The Exercise.
When you begin your session, you’ll need to assume a standard starting position. This is important as it prevents injury and also ensures that you begin the exercise at the same point as everyone else. Taking a few moments to find this position will ensure that you begin the workout correctly.
Hold Your Skates With Two Hands.
One of the simplest ways to begin stretching your skates is by holding them in front of you with both hands. This ensures that each leg is extended and equally stretched, preventing any one area of the skate from becoming disproportionately longer than the other. This, in turn, ensures that your pelvis is positioned correctly and that your body is able to achieve the proper alignment while you work out. Hold this position for a moment, breathing steadily and feeling your abdominal muscles engage. Hold this position until the coach has called for you to move on to the next exercise.
Relax Your Neck And Shoulders.
It’s important to remember that while we’re engaged in a stressful daily routine, our bodies still need to recover from the daily stresses of living. This means that we’re still prone to injuries if we don’t give them the time to heal, which is why it’s so important to take care of our bodies in the right way. Engage your abdominal muscles and breathe steadily for a few moments to relax your neck and shoulders. Once you’ve relaxed your neck and shoulders, you’ll be able to stretch your skates with ease, ensuring that you’re able to make the most out of your practice sessions.
Work Your Hamstrings.
The next step is to work your hamstrings. Walk backwards and bring your hands either behind your head or in front of your chest. Keep your knees unlocked and lightly bent. This is your starting position. Now, walk forwards until you feel a stretch in your hamstrings. As you walk, breathe deeply and regularly. Keep your hands either in front of your head or at the back of your neck. Feel the stretch in your hamstrings as you inhale, and contract your buttocks as you exhale. Continue this for ten minutes or until your muscles feel warm. It’s important to work your hamstrings and not your quadriceps, as the latter are muscles that you need for actual leg movement. This can lead to injury. So take care of your hamstrings and you’ll take care of your legs.
Stretch Your Skates On A Treadmill.
Some prefer to use a stationary bike, while others prefer to use a treadmill. The choice is yours. Personally, we think the treadmill is the best option for the majority of users. This is because you can really focus on the workout and keep your eyes open, without having to worry about falling off. Plus, it feels great when you’re done! So, if you have a treadmill, you can certainly use it for stretching as well. All you need to do is place one foot in front of the other and slowly ramp up the speed until you reach the desired level of intensity. Once you’re there, you can maintain this intensity for as long as you’d like, as the machine will make the workout more difficult as time goes by. Make sure you change the incline frequently to avoid injury and keep your body guessing what’s coming next!
Practice On Your Locker Room Floor.
If you don’t have a treadmill, you can always practice on the floor of your gym or home. Just make sure there’s a mat beneath you and place one foot in front of the other, while holding a weighted ball or something similar in your hands. This will help improve your balance and keep your body guessing as to what’s coming next. You can also do this workout on a swiss ball, which is another option that is often used by professional athletes, dancers, and hockey players. So, if you don’t have a treadmill and you don’t want to use the floor, there are still ways for you to get the benefits of a solid workout!
Use Handweights Or Plates.
When you use handweights or plates to practice with, you’ll need to do so with a light touch as these are usually used for strengthening and not for stretching. Avoid using too much pressure as this could result in injury. So, take it easy and light with these until you feel the desired results.
Keep Track Of Your Progress.
Once you’ve completed your practice session, it’s important to take some time to note down how you did and what could be improved upon. This way, you’ll be able to set new goals and continue moving forward. Keep track of your progress and you’ll find it much easier to reach your full potential.