Workout routines for hockey should focus on power and explosiveness, period. Now having said this, yes there should be an element of conditioning involved, but that goes without saying. As a strength and conditioning professional I have to recommend that you incorporate kettlebell training into your hockey strength and conditioning workouts if you want to edge out the competition and become the “king of the ice!”
As an athlete you may have heard of the ancient kettlebell by now, but if not then continue reading. Kettlebell training is an ancient art form of strength training that has been around for centuries. Its origins are based in Russia and this device has been used by some of the world’s greatest athletes and strongmen. So what makes this style of training so special? The key to kettlebell training is that it is “movement based” in nature rather than being a style of training that focuses in on targeting “specific body parts.” This is the very reason that kettlebell training translates so well over into the realm of ALL athletic competition, especially hockey.
As a hockey player you have got to have tremendous hip power, core strength, speed, explosiveness, and the conditioning of a race horse. Kettlebell training will provide you with all of this my friend. The most basic strength endurance lift you can perform with the kettlebell is the swing and this single lift incorporates hundreds of your muscles at one time and prepares your body for just about any physical task at hand. This is hockey strength and conditioning at its best my friend. Just by implementing the swing lift and a few other basic kettlebell lifts you can have yourself a fully effective off season hockey strength and conditioning program in place.
If you haven’t taken the time to learn about kettlebell swings and other kettlebell lifts to include into your strength training drills then you are falling behind my friend. If you are serious about dominating the competition and getting your body tuned in for the rigorous season ahead then you have to start now. I will even make it easier for you by inviting you to access the rest of my articles on the matter for free. Remember that most anyone can train hard, but only champions train smart!
