Fitness Garage

ADVANTAGES TO USING A Skating Treadmill

In the world of hockey training there are an endless number of techniques, tools and programs that are designed to improve fundamental skills. Choosing the right program depends on several different variables. A player’s age, strength and skill level are just a few factors that a hockey player would consider when choosing an on-ice or dryland training program to suit their game.

One off-ice training tool that is growing in popularity is the skating treadmill. For those who have not seen a skating treadmill in action, it is very similar to a regular running treadmill except it is designed for hockey players. The player usually wears the bottom half of their equipment and skates and is strapped into an overhead harness which protects them if they fall. The skating treadmill is equipped with a heavier rubber bottom which allows players to wear their skates and can also be adjusted for speed and incline like a traditional treadmill.

The first advantage of training on a skating treadmill is that it allows the coach to focus on skating mechanics with particular attention on the stride. There are so many great hockey skills and power skating schools out there but how often does a player and coach get to break down and analyze the actual biomechanics of skating? With the treadmill, players work one-on-one with a coach who focuses on improving body position and the skating stride. The coach is right there with the athlete so that corrections can be made while the athlete is skating. Having the ability to provide real-time feedback is something that is not always possible on the ice, especially when a coach is working with multiple players.

Another advantage to the treadmill is that it can benefit players from all skill and age levels. For younger players, it improves muscle memory on both the extension and recovery stride. As a minor hockey coach, I have seen players develop “bad habits” on the ice and once that player becomes accustomed to skating with poor body position or technique it is very difficult to break. The treadmill forces players to lengthen their stride and maximize their recovery which can help improve a “choppy” skater’s muscle memory. In addition to stride, the treadmill also helps improve body position and arm drive which are both important to a player’s overall skating technique. Ultimately the player can then transfer these skills on the ice. For older, more experienced skaters, who have already developed an advanced skating technique, the treadmill can be used as a tool to improve endurance and speed.

Much like an on-ice practice a session on the treadmill consists of a warm-up followed by a number of drills that are designed based on the player’s skill level. Because the coach can adjust the speed and incline of the treadmill athletes can develop a baseline so that they can see improvement over several sessions. Depending on what specific skill a player is looking to improve, the skating treadmill is worth looking into, especially if your focus is on skating mechanics.