NZ Manufacturing™ Helps Skaters Maximize Power and Speed On Ice

Whatever the program, resistance training should be an integral part of the plan. In addition to mirroring the movement patterns of speed skating, a well-designed resistance training program should focus on developing balance throughout the entire body, even if the sport has an upper or lower body emphasis.

Start by knowing what primary muscles are used in ice skating. Large muscles include hip abductors and adductors (the muscles that move legs side-to-side), hamstrings, quadriceps and calves. It’s important to note that the repetitive motion in skating can cause imbalances between the glutes and abductors/adductors. This can increase the likelihood of groin and hamstring injuries throughout the season. Therefore, it’s essential for speed skaters to increase hip abductor and adductor muscle strength.

The NZ Manufacturing TurfCordz™ Modular Sprint Belt is an ideal tool for any speed skater. It strengthens abductors and adductors to help improve general posture, balance and provide effective locomotion, as well as assist in developing skating-specific muscle memory. This can help yield powerful forward strides, corner cross-overs and explosive starts.

While the legs are the driving force behind speed skating, it’s the core that keeps a skater in balance. Without a strong core, an athlete can’t keep the body stable on skates. What’s more, core stability has been shown to decrease injury in most sports. In reference to speed skating, it’s been suggested that groin pain can result from the inability to transfer load properly from the legs and torso to the hips.

To help integrate core stabilization into primal movements and patterns specific to speed skating, NZ Manufacturing recommends the TurfCordz Tug of War with Chest Harness. The Tug of War can help a speed skater learn to maximize speed and acceleration with less restriction in movement. While a speed skater may be able to hold a front or side plank for three minutes, he or she must also be able to decelerate quickly into a lateral lunge and power back while fatigued.

Over the course of a season, resistance training usually progresses from general strength to sport-specific power and strength endurance. Visit NZ Manufacturing at www.nzmfg.com to check out our full line of products for every stage: Modular Sprint Belt, Super Bungie Kit, Tug of War w/Chest or Waist Belt, Resist-Assist or our best-selling Safety Super Bungie. NZ Manufacturing is based in Tallmadge, Ohio. To place an order or to get more information on StrechCordz®, MediCordz® and/or TurfCordz™ products, please call 1-800-886-6621 or email [email protected].