Is is okay for kids to workout?

The debate of youth working out has raged for decades, the stunting of growth, increased injury-all worries of a parent or guardian. While science has consistently proven the benefits of working out when performed smart and safely for youth, you still have a small population who says otherwise.

Institue 3's age-specificity training table - ages, physical maturity, and athletic ability dictate which training methods we use for the training aspects on the left.

Any qualified strength training professional realizes that it's safe for all ages to participate in working out, but all ages have different training needs. At Institute 3e this is our biggest challenge, helping parents understand why/what we do with different ages. Age-specificity is a huge part to our training success, obviously we don't train a 16 year old the same as an 8 year old, every individual has their own needs. These needs are determined by...

1. Athlete's age - while age isn't the only predictor of training styles used, it's a component of assessing which training needs will be sought out.

2. Physical maturity - every athlete develops at different rates-this determines the training methods used within their age-specific training style.

3. Athletic ability - not all athletes are created equal, methods will vary according to ability, this aspect often goes hand in hand with physical maturing.

Every athlete has their own needs, every athlete requires varied instructions and exercises fully dependent on their abilities. Aside from improving already developed skills we always stress the importance of putting in the work at a young age. Accumulation of training years is huge for a young athlete's future success.

So does lifting cause stunting of growth and increased injury?

When you play a sport there is already an inherent risk of injury, strength training does not increase one's risk for injury when used properly. In a review performed to assess strength training in children and adolescents multiple factors were assessed and found.

• Injury - Any form of injury was always related back to misuse of equipment or lack of supervision. At Institute 3e we have multiple trainers working with every team to ensure safety and proper form. Along with this, we take a lot of time going through progressions to ensure proper form and movements are learned/adapted to.

• Strength - It was found that children/adolescents can improve their strength anywhere from 30-50% after 8-weeks of training consistently (strength %'s vary by athlete). Strength at Institute 3e doesn't just mean moving weights, it means moving the body in a stronger way. For example, a lot of our athletes have trouble climbing the rope their first visit, after coming consistently climbing the rope becomes easier and attainable. This is a form of tracked progress for us, methods we're using have made your athlete stronger in a safe way.

• Denser bones, stronger tendons, muscles, and ligaments - In a study examining the positive effects strength training has on youth 9-10 years old, bone and lean mass both increased. While some mass change was associated with normal growth, it was seen that strength training helped increase normal rates in a healthy manner. When muscle and bones get stronger the tendons and ligaments will do so as well.

• Growth plate injuries - In a review assessing youth/adolescent growth plate injuries it was observed that sports and poorly made programs played a large part in injuries. While some injuries an unavoidable and purely accidental, there are countermeasures that can be taken to decrease injury prevalence. The countermeasures noted in this review involve: smart coaching, individual programming, and attention to individual's needs (health & physical). All aspects we commonly practice at Institute 3e.

When playing sports and working out there will always be risk of injury, especially in high-speed contact sports. The most important aspect to healthy growth in younger athletes is careful supervision and well-designed exercise programs. We make it a point to structure our workouts to an athlete's age, physical maturity, and athletic ability to ensure safe and optimal growth.

Rest Times and Their Usefulness

Every well constructed lifting program all have one thing in common: delegated rest times. Rest times are incorporated to facilitate different training results. A solid program will have a correlation between rest times and the type of strength being trained for. For example, if you're lifting in the "relative strength" phase where you're hitting heavy 3 rep squats, you're going to have a longer rest. The longer rest is needed for better recovery; the nervous system needs a break to maintain its high level of performance.

There are a few key takeaways when thinking about rest and recognizing its usefulness. A lot of folks in the gym will sit and talk in-between sets and not control their rest, these are usually those without a goal in mind or tracked numbers. Every rest period has a goal, whether it be hit consistent strength numbers or create a fatigue while still moving the appropriate weight. Here's how you should interpret and use rest to your advantage...

1. Rest period lengths and their usefulness

   • Higher rest periods - 2 minutes+ - their use comes when you're lifting in the relative strength category performing compound movements. Also, if you're performing any form of PAP/contrast training, (the rest after the PAP/contrast movements in reference here) a longer rest is needed for nervous system recovery.

     • Examples - squats, deadlifts, bench/overhead pressing, Olympic lifts, etc usually will require more rest. These recruit more muscles than most lifts and are the lifts most often performed in the relative strength category.

   • Medium rest periods - 60-90 seconds - their use comes when training in the hypertrophy and endurance categories; aka when strength, endurance and muscle size are being trained for. You'll usually see these when you perform accessory lifts (lifts that complement the first compound movement). The 60-90 seconds allow enough rest to maintain a degree of strength, but should create some form of fatigue to facilitate growth.

     • Examples - dips, incline dumbbell presses, chin-ups, GHD, etc...movements that don't tax the system as heavily as compounds and usually have higher rep ranges.

       • Exception: when compounds are performed at higher reps/less weight (ex: 8 rep back squat) sometimes rest times may be in the 90ish second category-this is often used for beginners.

   • Shorter rest periods - 10-60 seconds - you'll usually see these used when performing training circuits, agonist/antagonist training or various forms of PAP/contrast methods. When circuit training you're doing multiple movements quickly after another, typically full body. Circuits are often used for fat loss and strength adaptation, high level of work within a short amount of time. Agonist and antagonist are opposing muscles, ex: a press then a pulling movement. PAP/contrast are when you train the same muscles quickly after one another, their use is to overload muscles by varied intensities.

     • Examples - circuit (hex deadlift, dumbbell row, GHD, incline dumbbell press, dumbbell curl all performed 45 seconds after one another), PAP/contrast performing a 3-RM back squat with 10 second rest then doing 6 reps of vertical jump.

2. Be honest - when there's a rest time written in a program try to follow the delegated time. These times are made to facilitate different forms of growth, if you're constantly taking off or adding time then you're changing your true numbers.

3. True numbers/progress - rest periods can help ensure you're recording more accurate progress. Like stated above having loose rest periods can influence how much weight you're actually able to move at that given time for the asked rep range.

Whether your goal is fat loss, strength gain or muscle gain rest periods are an easy variable to manipulate for results. Rest periods should always correlate with the lift and the reps, without these two factors strategic rest periods will not be as effective.

Why Tempo Matters

A lot of our athletes are familiar with tempo (the 3010's etc you see in programs), but do you understand why we use them and why they change?

Tempo involves creating a time frame for each part of the lift, the eccentric (downward movement), the concentric (upward movement) and holds at the top and bottom. This in return varies the muscle's time under tension, the time under tension will facilitate different results and adaptations. To help you understand better, we made a list of why and how to interpret tempos--this way you can utilize them in your training.

Let's look at a tempo that appears like this....3-1-1-0

1. The first 3 is the eccentric count, so a three second descend (lowering phase) in a back squat.

2. The second 1 is the hold at the bottom of the eccentric phase, so this calls for a 1 second hold at the bottom position of the back squat.

3. The third 1 is the concentric phase, the upward motion or contraction phase-in this example you would stand up at a rate of 1 second from the back squat.

4. The fourth 0 is the top of the concentric phase (top of the movement), this calls for a 0 second stop between each rep at the top of the back squat, no break in-between reps.

Now that you have an understanding of how to read and interpret tempos, here's how changing them can be beneficial and why we do so.

• Easy to track - using a set tempo ensures every rep is the same, you're not haphazardly moving weight at different speeds every lift (which would effect results/true progress).

• Different muscle types stimulated - fast and slow twitch muscle fibers respond differently to different stimulus's, everyone has both types just in different amounts. Fast twitch respond better to heavier explosive movements, while slow twitch respond best to slower more prolonged movements.

  • A tempo that involves a lot of 1's and X's calls for more explosive phases stimulating fast twitch fibers, while numbers like 3-4+ and excessive holds will help recruit/build your slow twitch fibers (generally speaking).

• Increased muscle growth - when you focus on time under tension you're providing a calculated stimulus to the muscle. This in return will create more protein synthesis (which we covered briefly here) which will result in increased muscle size/growth, moving weights at inconsistent tempos can slow this process.

• Planned training phases - all workouts should have a common goal behind them, tempos allow support a more thought out plan to reach this goal. For explosive strength increases you'll usually see lower reps and faster tempos and for muscle size/strength you'll see higher reps and longer time under tension. Together time under tension and reps performed will dictate results, use the guide below as a reference.

  • Relative strength – reps 1-5, time under tension 1-20 seconds and 85% or greater of 1 RM

  • Functional hypertrophy - reps 6-8, time under tension 20-40 seconds and 79-84% of 1 RM

  • Hypertrophy - reps 9-12, time under tension 40-60 seconds and 70-78% of 1 RM

  • Strength endurance - reps 13+, time under tension 60+ seconds and 69% or less of 1 RM

Tempo is a great tool for increasing strength when used correctly. A well designed program has respect for these principles and utilizes the science behind them.

No Belt, No Straps

When we work with athletes we don't use weight lifting belts, nor straps. Like everything, there's a time and place for both, although, we have reasoning for not employing these for our athletes. If you use belts and straps-hear our reasoning out and try avoiding them for a few lifts.

Belts are often used by elite olympic lifters, powerlifters and bodybuilders. There focus is to help maintain compression through the abdominal area (stomach) and to help prevent injury when working with heavy loads (usually 85+% maximal weight) by taking some of the force off of the body. We choose not to use them for our athletes and here's why...

1. Foundational strength - most of our athletes are building their base of strength, using a belt could hinder their natural growth.

2. True numbers - a belt might enable an athlete add more weight than their body is ready for, this will then lead to misinterpreted 1, 3, 5, + rep loads.

3. Back/core growth/strength - the back/core need to have a base of strength before anyone should be worried about finding their maximal weight. By not using belts your back and core will learn to support weight on their own (and grow faster).

4. Non-transferable - in most athletics it's not realistic that there will be a compressional force on the abdomen when performing, using a belt in the weight room could take away from lifting/performance carry over.

5. Risk/Benefit - when pursuing true 1 rep maxes there is always a risk of injury, most athletes don't need to find TRUE 1 rep maxes. Their max without a belt should be the max used to assess other reps.

Belts have their time and place, for most athletes they're unneeded-it's a safer/better bet to build strength without them, especially in younger athletes. In regards to straps there is a littleuse for them in our gym, but we have a strong case as to why we don't employ them in 99% of cases.

1. Grip strength - grip is a limiting factor, meaning you can only handle a weight your grip can handle. Always strapping up to make a lift will hinder grip strength and improvement, which a hockey player needs.

2. Forearm/hand growth - constantly strapping up will take away from natural growth of the forearm/hand musculature. When you're constantly holding a stick and having others test your strength on the puck you need a strong grip.

3. True numbers - not using straps will help keep you true to what needs work, this usually being grip!

When building a solid base of strength you'll benefit more by avoiding the constant use of belts and straps. The back and core need to be strong, especially in hockey-you'll have better gains by not relying on a belt. Vice versa a hockey player needs a good grip, straps can hinder the growth and strength of a grip.

Institute 3E In-Season Training Ideology for Older Athletes

There's no question that in-season and off-season training styles should be different. First of all, in-season the goal is to perform your sport optimally and to keep that high tempo through the season. Along with performing optimally it should be a goal to maintain the strength and size gained in the off-season.

If in-season the goal is to play your sport at your peak and you took the same training methodology we use in our off-season training it would do harm than good. The body wouldn't be able to repair and recover in time to perform optimally every time you were on the ice; you world more than likely inhibit growth. This being said there are a few training variations we implicate with our older athletes for their in-season training.

1. Frequency - we recommend for older athletes to lift twice a week. This is an ideal amount to maintain muscle without frying the nervous system and leaving an athlete lethargic or sore for the majority of the week.
2. Compound movements - every in-season lift we perform focuses on a compound movement as the first exercise. For example, a squat, deadlift, Olympic lift or bench/overhead press will be the initial focus. The compound movements are how we gain the most muscle, when in-season they're also how we maintain the most muscle. Along with this they're a great sign for checking and maintaining one's strength levels.
3. Work : Rest ratio - a good in-season lift will have emphasis on the rest an athlete is getting in-between sets. If reps are lower, rest is higher to allow optimal performance and to avoid burnout.
4. Volume - lifts are made to be shorter and to hit a majority of muscles, when skating 4+ times a week a 2-hour lift can severely deplete the body.
5. Intensity - in-season intensity of lifts are dictated by the volume (reps). This means let the reps dictate the weight, constantly missing reps and going as heavy as possible will impede proper maintenance/growth.

An example of an in-season (functional hypertrophy, maintain size) lift would look like this....

• A. Back squat, 5-7 reps, 40X0 tempo, 4 sets, 2 minute rest
• B1. Chin-up, 6-8 reps, 30X0 tempo, 4 sets, 90 second rest
• B2. Incline DB Bench Press, 6-8 reps, 30X0 tempo, 4 sets, 90 second rest
• C. GHD, 8-10 reps, 30X0 tempo, 3 sets, 90 second rest

The main concern of this lift is to perform the back squat to the same caliber you did in the off-season. If you can, then it's a good sign that your strength and size is being maintained. The remaining lifts are for maintenance of other facets of strength, usually focusing on multiple body parts since frequency of lift days are kept lower.

Peewee Training

In a recent article we discussed mite and squirt training, this article will entail training for the peewee aged athlete. 

In the athletic and strength training world there is something called, "accumulation of training years." In summation this explains that the more time spent training or practicing a skill, the easier it will be to develop as time passes with a better pay off. We realize this and construct programs that are tailored to your athlete's specific age and skill. 

The aspects we focus on with the peewee aged athlete include...

1. General coordination

2. Flexibility

3. Speed (reaction time) 

4. Speed (movement frequency)

5. Strength endurance

As time goes it becomes increasingly harder for some skills to be developed by an athlete, if not prefaced at an early age. For example, if a younger athlete can't perform 5 consecutive push-ups, then it will be tougher for them to transition to more advanced lifting and a higher level of play as they age. 

General coordination, flexibility and speed (reaction time) are all keys for elite athletes to develop at young ages. For these aspects we use animal flow (advanced), basic tumbling/advanced tumbling, beginning dowel training, tennis ball drills, advanced agility drills and many more. We also explained these three more in-depth in the mite and squirt post. 

Speed (movement frequency) is an aspect that has an athlete focus on their ability to maintain a pace with a time demand. It helps preface the athlete by combining cognitive and speed aspects, it develops one's ability to gauge and develop different speeds on cue. Examples of drills we use here are jumping drills, advanced agility/speed drills, various tennis ball movements, jump rope drills and animal flow into tumbling (frog stands/hand stands). 

Strength endurance is an increasingly important skill as your athlete ages, this is their ability to maintain a level of strength over an amount of time. Every athlete should have a base of basic strength at this age, this will facilitate their future transition to advanced lifting. For strength endurance we focus on a lot of bodyweight oriented exercises like, pistol squats, push-up drills, chin-ups, rope climbing, peg board and many more. 

When your athlete trains with us it's more than just going to an off-ice session. It's investing in their future, their future of growth and athletic development. There are aspects of athleticism that become increasingly harder to learn with age, don't miss your athlete's opportunity for optimal growth. To get a better idea of the images above check out the video below! 

Mite and Squirt Training

When parents hear about their athletes training at this age they become worrisome of things usually heard from others (possible stunting of growth, injury, etc.). This article will illustrate our age-specific training methods and how we help facilitate your athlete's growth–not inhibit it. 

There is something in the athletic and strength training world called, "accumulation of training years." This means the more time spent training and practicing skills, the more results and progress you'll see as time passes. Basically, the more time put in now–the better the end pay off. 

We have three aspects we focus on with your mite or squirt, these are...

1. General coordination

2. Flexibility

3. Speed (reaction time) 

These are all key fundamentals to a young athlete's growth as he/she develops, certain things like coordination become increasingly hard to develop as you age. This being said, the work we do is done to increase the efficiency of your athlete's abilities as they grow. We're priming them for an easier transition to future training and higher levels of play. 

General coordination is done through things like animal flow, tumbling drills and various balance drills we've constructed. These drills also teach body awareness something so key for the athlete whose sport has multiple demands. 

The best way to stay flexible is to never lose it. Younger athletes already have a tendency to be naturally flexible, this is key for developing good habits for their future. We work on improving what they already have and incorporate body awareness aspects. 

The aspect of speed we focus on is more than doing sprints and making your athlete run ladders (anyone can do that). We realize that reaction-time speed is something that is harder to learn as you age, we focus on combining multiple aspects of different skills into one. Examples include, tumbles to one-leg getups, animal flow with frog stands (tripods), beginner jump drills and many more. 

When your athlete trains with us it's more than just going to an off-ice session. It's investing in their future, their future of growth and athletic development. There are aspects of athleticism that become increasingly harder to learn with age, don't miss your athlete's opportunity for optimal growth. To get a better idea of the images above check out the video below! 

Post-Activation Potentiation

The theory and practice of Post-Activation Potentiation (PAP) revolves around prepping the nervous system for heavier maximal loads. This is known as Post-Tetanic Facilitation, this states if you lift a heavy amount usually a single, double or triple-you'll be able to lift a heavier amount with a higher rep range (ex: you'll be able to lift a heavier 6 rep after a heavy single, as opposed to just doing 6's) or create more power if you're doing a plyometric. In summary it's the method of priming the nervous system by creating a more effective neural drive.

When working with our athletes we facilitate this into the programs of some of our most elite players. They don't realize it at the time, but they're practicing a method that has long been used to create power and strength increases in a plethora of athletes. Hockey players have a demand for strength and speed in their game, thus making our form of PAP a useful tactic for increasing both at once.

An example of PAP we use with our athletes...

A1. Back squat - 3 reps, 40X0, 10 sec rest, 8 sets

A2. Depth jump - 6 reps, X, 4 min rest, 8 sets

Another example might be...

A1. High handle sled push - 10 meters, X, 0 sec, 10 sets

A2. Sprint - 10 meters, X, 3 minute rest, 10 sets

This example includes a heavy strength movement (3 rep back squat) and a plyometric (depth jump), both effective for hockey players. We combine these movements to increase a player's recruitment of muscle fibers when producing power. It's important to point out the rest time in-between each set--make sure to take a longer rest after the second movement when practicing PAP. The reason for this is the increased demand on neural drive, the body needs adequate rest to keep performing at an efficient rate.

PAP can be an effective change up when increasing one's strength/power production. It can be used combining different movements other than the one's used above (ex: 1 rep back squat, followed by a 6 rep back squat). It's also important to note that this method should be used sparingly, it's taxing on the nervous system and should be used strategically with your in/off-season schedules--this will help avoid burnout or any form of strength backtracking.

Important takeaways

1. Use sparingly, there's a time and place in everyone's training program when PAP could be more or less effective.
2. Allow adequate rest time.
3. Combine movements that benefit and facilitate well together.
4. If you're new to lifting this method won't benefit you as much as an advanced, trained athlete.

6 Movements to Build a Monster Grip

Grip strength is one of the most important components in all areas of sports. Whether it be staying strong on the puck, handling a baseball bat, squeezing a ball or wrapping up a tackle—all of these require a strong grip. Younger and older athletes both can benefit from strengthening their grip, younger will build a base and older will build from what they’ve already developed (which might illuminate weak areas). 

Grip is one of the limiting factors when it comes to lifting and performing. A limiting factor is something that will physically stop you from progress, even though other factors might have the ability to progress. In translation, you have an extremely strong back that will allow for a heavy deadlift, although your grip strength is lacking and you can’t hold the weight you’re trying to lift. While your back is willing and capable, you physically can’t because of your lack of grip strength. This is why it’s key to build your grip, your body can only progress if every part of it is in sync working together. 

“What about using straps?”

 While these are great for handling heavy weight, straps often play a role as a crutch to an athlete. While there are exceptions to using straps, avoid them when performing normal lifts, they shouldn’t be a go-to. 

What we’ve done at Institute 3E is observe over the course of the years what exercises and movements build the best grips. These are movements we practice with our athletes and movements that will allow for growth at any age or athleticism.  

1. Rope Climbs. 

Why? Rope climbing is great because it requires a pulling movement, stabilization and coordination. Not only does climbing a rope require the strength to hold your body weight, but it requires a strong grip to stabilize on a moving object. 

How? If rope climbing is out of the equation for you and you simply can’t perform the movement, perform rope holds. Work on holding your body weight up with a set count, for example holding your body up for a 30 second increment—work your way up until you’re able to climb. 

Remember. When climbing the rope try to work your way up to climbing without legs, this is a true feat of upper body and grip strength. Also, when climbing use your feet as a tool not a crutch, the use of feet shouldn’t be the only reason you can climb. Lastly, don’t slide down the rope when at the top, this not only will burn your hands, but half of the battle is continuing the climb on the eccentric (down phase) part of the climb.  

1. Peg Board. 

Why? While the peg board isn’t common at most gyms, it’s an amazing tool for building at athlete’s grip and upper body strength. It requires you to maintain a fixed grip on the peg that can support your bodyweight and upwards momentum. 

How? Peg board like rope climbing is a skill that needs to be trained, it’s not east to perform your first try. If you can’t climb without risk of injury, do peg holds. Hold yourself up on the board with fixed arms and grips—do this for an amount of time until you can climb on your own. 

Remember. To perform the peg board only when you’re ready and capable to climb on your own, it’s always a good idea to have someone with you as well. Keep your upper body tight so you avoid swaying and completely losing control of your position when climbing. Also, avoid using your feet to help push off and climb the wall. 

3. Fat Grip Chin-up/Pullup. 

Why? FYI: A chin-up is when your palms are facing you, pullups your palms face away and arms tend to be a little wider. These are a fundamental movement, but offer massive amounts of growth. When doing either of these movements with fatter grips your forearms and hands will be forced to do more due to the inability to wrap your hands and get a firm grip. 

How? A primary goal for both of these movements is being able to do multiple reps with your bodyweight getting full ROM (range of motion). This means you have long arms on the eccentric part (down motion) and getting your chin above the bar when pulling yourself up. The full range of motion should be your main goal with this exercise, once you’ve achieved multiple reps with bodyweight move to adding weight around your waist. 

Remember. This movement is useful when performed properly—don’t rush to adding weight around your waist if you can’t do reps with long arms and chin above the bar. Also, normal bars can be used to progress and build your strength to fatter grips, if you can’t do fat grips, don’t fret and start on normal bars. 

4. Fat Gripz Deadlift. 

Why? The deadlift itself is a feat of strength, when adding a fatter grip it changes the complete dynamic of the lift. It no longer relies on brute strength to pick up the bar off the ground, it requires a strong grip to even get the bar moving. If you’re curious about your grip strength with a heavier weight, try deadlifting with fat grips. 

How? It’s key to remember when performing this deadlift that we’re going to have a “clean” grip. This means both palms are facing down, we’re not doing the offset grip—offset increases chance of a torn bicep and will hinder symmetrical forearm development.

Remember. Form matters. If you’re not comfortable with deadlifting to begin with, start without using fatter grips, once you’ve perfected the form you can begin to experiment. This movement isn’t about your ego, don’t be surprised if your deadlift drops a substantial amount when switching up to a fatter grip. Take it slow and make sure you’re performing the proper lifting mechanics—good form is the quickest way to grip progress with this movement. 

5. Snatch Grip Deadlift. 

Why? While this movement could be argued about it’s place on the list, there’s no denying that gripping a barbell snatch grip style requires a strong grip. With a wider grip we won’t have the same strength as something more conventional. The reasoning is our hands don’t have the same amount of surface area to apply force on the bar, along with the fingers having less ability to wrap in a hooking motion.

How? The snatch deadlift will force you to sit a little lower than a conventional deadlift, solely for the reason it wouldn’t be optimal to leave out your legs in the lift (your back would be to rounded). This being said, with the legs and back being able to work in sync the amount of weight that’s lifted can only match what the grip can handle. 

Remember. If you can’t perform an obscene amount of weight, it’s okay. When you pair this exercise with other grip focused lifts you’ll progress quickly, the snatch grip requires a different dynamic when applying force to a bar. Along with the normal fatter grip deadlift,  don’t let your ego dictate the mechanics of this lift! 

6. Farmers Walks. 

Why? Farmers walks are possibly one of the most effective ways to test your grip strength. You’re supporting a high amount of weight on each arm and walking a set distance. Not only do you have to have the strength to lift the weight, but you have to maintain good posture as well. The walk adds extra tension on the grip to maintain a fixed stable position during movement.

How? When performing farmers walks it’s key to remember that posture is important, if the weight is pulling your chest down or causing you to stumble—it’s too heavy. If you’re not used to this movement, start a little lighter and add weight/distance as you get stronger and more competent.  

Remember. If the actual farmers walk bars aren’t a resource for you, use barbells or dumbbells they both can be used to achieve the movement. Progress at your own speed and don’t be afraid of calluses, they’re a small price to pay for building a beast grip! 

These forearm building movements are great to add to any lifting arsenal. Keep your eyes open for another article featuring more grip based movements in the future. And always, if you have any questions or concerns ask away! 

Age Specific In-Season Training

Off-season and in-season training are both key to a hockey player’s success, although, they’re both entirely different beings. At different ages a growing hockey player will reciprocate to different forms of work. For example, a junior level player will benefit most from focusing on strength and hypertrophy aspects, while a pee wee should be most concerned with strength endurance and speed work. 

In-season training is so key because this is the training that will allow you to keep your off-season work at maintenance. If you’re a junior level player and you make strength gains in the off-season, but lose them all by the end of the season–this is a sign of strength loss, which usually relates to size loss. The same scenario is true with younger players, if a pee wee major was able to do 14 pull-ups in the off-season, but can barely do 5 in-season, he’s lost muscle endurance which will correlate to strength. 

The key point is that in-season training is what keeps your off-season gains present and ready to increase in the next off-season. You can leave a season and hit the ground running because you know your past advancements are still present and primed. Every hockey age group has specific training aspects that will benefit them most.

Junior/Midget

At this level the focus is to have no drop off in size and strength gains, an older player’s success is often dictated by how strong he is on the ice. Workouts that surround strength (lower volume) and hypertrophy (higher volume) are king and queen when keeping strength and size. Below are a few points that every junior/midget level player should follow in the off-season. 

•Intensity of workouts should be dictated by the volume–this is key to avoid killing the nervous system. Since you’re in season, there has to be some concern on the work:rest ratio. If you’re going super heavy with lifts at a high volume multiple times a week you’re setting your body up for failure. 

•Frequency (recommended 2x a week)–2x a week is the perfect balance to have a strength workout one day and hypertrophy the next. Also, it is better to couple practices and workouts on same days, this allows full days of rest which the body needs in-season. 

•Volume kept lower than off-season–along with frequency and intensity, volume should be kept lower in workouts for the off-season. 

Bantam/Peewee Major 

This level has more focus on strength endurance, as opposed to max strength levels in the midget level. It is key to learn the fundamental lifting principals now, the body and muscles are growing rapidly. Learning fundamental movements will be a key to success when strength and size become the main focus. 

•Workouts should focus on strength endurance–the ability to do more reps of a fundamental movement will benefit for the priming of training in the future. Its beneficial to build this foundational ground, the body can then begin to grow and adapt into the stress being presented on the joints and muscles. 

•Various speed-work–while lifting fundamentals are heavily stressed at this level, agility and speed are also very important. With the fast development of the body, this age is primed for faster adaptation to become faster and more agile. 

Peewee Minor/Squirt/Mite 

Last but not least–the little guys. The unsung heroes in the gym who are training not only for the present, but their future selves (usually without knowing it). Gym time at this age is so key, not only for priming the body for lifting weights and training, but teaching basics such as: coordination, locomotive skills and manipulation skills. A lot of youth are missing opportunities to learn the basics by not having the education on how to train, or even the proper coaching. While you can teach and improve coordination as you get older, building a solid base at a young age sets you up for success, especially while in-season. 

•Locomotive skills–these are your fundamental human movements: crawling, running, jumping, skipping, etc. As the body gets older it’s increasingly more hard to pick up simple movements such as a jump to a crawl, it feels awkward and unnatural. Locomotive skills teach young ones how to move their bodies in odd situations, how to position themselves when the optimal position isn’t had. 

•Balance skills–balance is something that can be heavily influenced at this stage in life, through constant exposure and training balance will increase. It not only requires fundamental movements (locomotion), it requires coordination too, both of which can only be trained to a certain point.

•Manipulation skills–this is your stick handling, skating with the puck, any time you’re using your balance and coordination involving something else. These aspects are key for every position in hockey and early adaptation is an easy to step for success. 

Every age group has aspects of training that should be emphasized and focused on to maximize potential. In-season and off-season training go hand in hand, there is a proper way to do both to increase training gains throughout the whole year.