Strength & Conditioning

FITNESS AND CONDITIONING FOR THE HOCKEY PLAYER

Strength and conditioning become more important to a player as they increase the caliber of hockey they compete in.  It is extremely important that the athlete train specifically for their age with a program designed by an accredited and qualified professional if they want to reach their full potential as a player. 

Today's game demands more than coming to training camp to get in shape, or being in the weight room 5 days a week.

Training for the elite hockey player is marked by four general time periods; off season, pre-season, in-season, and post season.  Additionally within these categories there are sport specific training periods that a qualified trainer for hockey will program for.

Off Season

• Low intensity aerobic training
• Variety of activities and sports
• Focus on general athleticism
• Weight training with focus on building muscle mass

Pre Season

• Aerobic activity goes to medium then high intensity
• Anaerobic sport specific program implemented
• Weight program adjustments for stability and injury prevention
• Fitness testing to identify benchmarks for individuals and identify areas of weakness

In Season

• Maintenance period of fitness levels, significant gains especially in muscle mass are difficult
• Muscle mass generally will not increase during this period, due to activity levels it will often decrease
• Periodic fitness evaluations to check weight loss /gain, reduction of identified areas of weakness and players commitment to nutrition and training program
• Position specific training can be done in this period
• Speed, agility and quickness drills with high repetitions
• Proper ratio of off ice training and practice /game ratio

Post Season

• "cool" down period for the body to taper off of high activity levels
• Rest, recovery and injury healing time
• Off season fitness planning based on final fitness evaluations

Some Common Training Mistakes

• Not using a qualified hockey specific trainer and program, at elite levels this is critical
• Hockey is a physically demanding game and a foundation of strength is what the sport specific training will be based on, ensure proper and adequate weight training in the off season
• Not coming into season with adequate muscle mass
• Unbalanced strength areas
• Non specific sport training (does not effectively transfer results to game)
• Lack of proper evaluation to identify weaknesses eg muscle imbalance
• Improper rest periods between off ice sessions, between off ice sessions and game / practice schedule
• Improper technique leading to injuries

THE COLLINGWOOD BLUES HOCKEY CLUB IS PROUD TO ENSURE THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF CONDITIONING AND TRAINING TO ITS PLAYERS

For individual, small group and team training or for more strenght / training / fitness information contact:

Sarah Applegarth

• Masters Degree in Adolescent Exercise Physiology -McMaster University 2005
• BSC in Human Kinetics and Minor in Nutritional Sciences- University of Guelph 1997
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach, Professional Fitness and Lifestyle Consultant for accredited testing laboratory
• Alpine Ontario Fitness Director- 2000-2007
• Strength and Conditioning Coach for University Of Guelph Womens Hockey Team 2003-current
• Active 2010 Fitness Testing Coordinator 2003 and 2004
• Head Strength and Conditioning Coach of Provincial Ski Team 2000-2002
• Twist Conditioning Sport Conditioning Specialist- Master Trainer
• CP Rail Ergonomist 2001-2003
• Short list for Olympic Womens Hockey Team 1995-1997
• Member of Mississauga Ice Bears National Womens Hockey League team 1998-2000
• Member of University of Guelph Womens Varsity Hockey team 1992-1997, Captain 1996/97
• Represented Ontario at National Womens Hockey Championships 1995
• Represented Ontario at National Womens Soccer Championships 1992
• Member of Collingwood Soccer League 2001-curren

Contact info 

sapplegarth@rogers.com

Greg Grossman

• Graduate from the University of Western Ontario (bachelor of arts)
• Certified Personnel Trainer  (Can Fit)
• Former National Ski Team member ( 1986-91)
• Member of Canada's Olympic ski team, Calgary 88'
• Member of Canada's World Championship Team 87', 89'
• 4 medals at National Championships
• Men's Head Coach for the Southern Ontario Ski Team (1997- 2000)
• Assistant Coach with the Ontario Men's Ski team (2000- 2003)
• Ontario Men's dry land coach in charge of design and implementation (2002-2005)
• Osler/Peaks Ski Team coach (2003-2005)
• Recipient of the "Joey Lavigne Ontario Coach of the Year"
• Member of the Collingwood Soccer League -10 years
• Member of the Collingwood Rockets -5 years
• Member of the Collingwood over 35 rep team -4 years
• Volunteer with the Collingwood Triathalon 1995-2000

Contact Info 

greg.grossmann@gmail.com