3 REASONS WHY OFF SEASON TRAINING CHANGED MY LIFE AS AN ATHLETE & TEEN
In small town Ontario, parents and athletes spend more time in the rink than their own homes. We travel hours for our youth athletes to lace up and hit the ice. While other people attend church or family brunch on Sundays, we are hitting the highway to drive miles to another small town. The hockey lifestyle is demanding and as early as age ten kids can be hitting the rink multiple times per week racking up hours chasing the dream.
Hockey was important to me throughout my childhood. As a kid, I made life-long friends who grew to be like family throughout the years. In high school, everyday my teammates and I would load up for practice after class. We spent every evening and weekend at the rink. Not only did all that time on the ice keep me out of the typical high school trouble, but it created a sense of work ethic, drive and goal orientated focus that helped me push to get good grades. As a female hockey player, grades meant just as much as your performance on the ice. To play at the University level, you needed not only a great goals against average, but also above average test scores. Throughout University, you had to maintain an above average GPA to stay on the active roster.
Mount Royal University, USports
Without hockey, I would have been in a less motivated friends group in high school, it would have been a struggle for me to pay attention in school, I wouldn’t have went to University, and continued on to open Jolt Fitness. All those hours spent in the rink dedicated to my craft built who I am today.
However, looking back - some of my fondest memories come from the times off the ice. Off season training was the staple of my summers. A few teammates and I would hit the gym with our trainer every morning. The workouts were hard, but I loved every minute of the training. I was surrounded by other athletes who had the drive to perform at the same level as I did and the trainers who wanted to push us to be better in all categories. Off season training gave me access to a trainer who taught me proper form and athletic training styles. Looking back I can see how impactful this was, as it was an important piece of the puzzle in pulling me away from the disordered eating and exercise plans I was following from magazines and whatever Victoria Secret Model was on the cover. My off season hockey trainers played a vital role in my success as an athlete and as a person. They were a third party I could trust outside of my coaches, they were part of the team that looked beyond my ice time and helped me grow as an athlete and person. These trainers that gave me my first insight and education into great progressive training programs instilled my love for fitness and are a huge influence on Jolt Fitness.
WHY DO YOUTH ATHLETES NEED OFF SEASON TRAINING?
After months of hauling athletes from rink to rink, the summer looks like a much needed breath of air from the demanding hockey schedule - and that it should be. Off season training can fit into an enjoyable summer, by allowing athletes time to focus on their performance without coaches, ice time, and statistics breathing down their neck. The gym allows them to be rewarded through hard work. It’s a simple equation of work hard = get stronger and faster. Hockey isn’t always that kind as many obstacles outside the athletes control can affect ice time, points, and position on the bench. Athletes need time away from the rink, but for goal orientated performance based athletes they need a progressive plan, a trainer with integrity, and a like minded community.
Follow a progressive training plan
A progressive training program is crucial for hockey athletes to enhance their performance on the ice. By gradually increasing the intensity and complexity of workouts over the course of the summer, athletes can improve their strength, speed, endurance, and agility in a sustainable manner. This approach helps prevent injuries by allowing the body to adapt and strengthen gradually, reducing the risk of overtraining or burnout. Additionally, a progressive training program ensures athletes continue to make progress and avoid plateauing in their development. By systematically challenging the body and mind, hockey athletes can reach their full potential and excel in their sport.
We break our training phases down into Rebuild, Strength and Power. Allowing active and optimal recovery from the season, building new functional strength, and harnessing athleticism through speed and power.
Access to a performance based trainer
The absence of professional trainers has led many young individuals to turn to sources such as TikTok for their workout plans. This trend not only increases the risk of injuries in the gym but also adversely impacts their long-term relationship with fitness. Speaking from personal experience, the absence of dedicated hockey trainers during my formative years would have resulted in my continued reliance on potentially unreliable "online influencers," exposing me to practices lacking proper integrity and educational foundation, further fueling disordered eating and exercise habits. Moreover, trainers serve as vital support systems that offer regular check-ins with athletes. Building connections with athletes outside their respective arenas fosters trust, honesty, and overall support, contributing significantly to their physical and mental well-being.
A community of like-minded athletes
The significance of athletes being immersed in a like-minded community within a supportive gym culture cannot be overstated. A gym environment that fosters camaraderie, encouragement, and motivation plays a pivotal role in an athlete's development and success. Surrounded by individuals who share similar goals and passion for the sport, hockey athletes are able to push themselves to new limits, both physically and mentally. Moreover, having access to educated trainers who possess a deep understanding of the sport and its specific demands is invaluable. These trainers can provide tailored guidance, support, and expertise to help athletes improve their skills, prevent injuries, and optimize their performance on the ice. Ultimately, being part of a community that shares a common love for hockey and is backed by knowledgeable trainers can create a positive and empowering environment for athletes to thrive and reach their full potential. We believe when youth athletes are introduced to fitness in this positive environment they are more likely to stick with fitness throughout their entire life even beyond their time in hockey.
OFF SEASON TRAINING @ JOLT FITNESS
2022 Jersey Retirement for teammate Emily Clark, PWHL
As I reflect on my off-season training, I am reminded of how this period has significantly influenced my personal growth and performance both on and off the ice. The positive fitness experiences I gained during this time have played a pivotal role in shaping my identity today. The community shared with other athletes and the dedicated trainers at the gym have left me with lasting connections that I truly value.
The impact of my off-season training extends beyond my athletic development; it was also integral to my overall growth as a teenager. The lessons I learned and the memories I made as a youth athlete have fueled my commitment to the Off Season Training program at Jolt Fitness. Being able to now contribute to the development of young athletes and provide a supportive environment is a fulfilling journey that has come full circle for me.
At Jolt, we deliver a full-spectrum hockey off-season program designed to build athletes into resilient, lightning-fast, and powerhouse athletes prepped to unleash their potential at their next home opener. Our structured progressive program unfolds across strategic phases, by rebuilding resiliency (injury prevention), strength development, and explosive power gains, culminating in peak performance as they hit the ice strong next season.
