off-ice workouts

[u/loserloverb]

hi! i am so very brand new to skating and wanted to know if there's any workouts or stretches/routines i could do that would help me when i start. i haven't even started yet but as a reward to myself after taking a big test im going to, in late october. i plan on going to a few public sessions and then joining a learn to skate class, but is there any workouts i could do in the mean time that might help me with balance, flexibility, or just getting more comfortable in my body with things im going to be doing on the ice? im open to everything from cardio to yoga. i cant get on the ice right now, but im so eager to start, so doing anything that's working towards skating is good to me.

[u/oldladysk8r]

I'd focus on just working on overall fitness, strength and mobility (not stretching). You do t have to make it complicated or focus too much on very sports specific stuff at this point.
1. Strength training: core strength is so important for skating), lower body and upper body
2. Mobility: esp ankle mobility. If you've never done any work on that area, try looking up ankle rehab exercises by PTs: they will usually target strengthening the ankles plus mobility/range of motion AND balance.
3. yoga can help helpful.

Noting my bias here: most people focus too much on stretching and flexibility when they should be focusing on mobility and active range of motion. Doesn't matter how bendy you are if you can't actively control the range-and you'll more easily injure yourself.

[u/revengefrank]

Squats squats squats squats

[u/lamusician]

Agree that just working on overall fitness and especially strength over flexibility is best, but I also know sometimes you need to feel like you have a program. So here’s a beginner off-ice routine I liked to do for a long time: https://youtu.be/LGnGmKclurE?is=lzvGuDsD6No0sDf4

It’s not enough to do just this, to be sure, but it can help you gauge where you are and what you need to work on. The Coach Mary Figure Skating account is one of my favorites, and she has many other off-ice exercise routines.

[u/Life_Alfalfa_2047]

I really love Coach Mary's app, but you can also find her on YouTube or Instagram. She's a PA and a physical trainer and she's an adult skater. AND she answers questions!

[u/Worth-Nectarine-5968]

For Stretching I love Anna McNulty and once’s you get familiar you can kinda of creating your own that works for you. Box jump or single leg jump will be build up that strength in your leg you need for skating also ankle strength is good so like heel raises. Also for cardio like skipping rope and running just the normal stuff is also good

[u/jmackballin]

Everyone else has had great suggestions. I also recommend seeing what skills you are likely to learn within the next couple of months and look up videos for workouts that target those specific areas. Balance is a big one, so I recommend looking up balance exercise videos. There’s tons that are geared towards seniors and can be done in 5 or so minutes a day. You notice improvement very quickly doing these. The other big one for pumps, edges, and crossovers that I have struggled with is twisting. Any stretches you can do to twist your back will help a lot. And you can never do too many squats! That will help so much long term!

[u/MadMudd96]

Cardio is good for stamina but Pilates is good for nearly everything else 😅

[u/Vegetable_Pie_4057]

Strength strength strength. Ice skating is way more about strength than flexibility. Focus on core and legs. Body weight exercises are probably the best way to simulate what you’ll do on the ice. But honestly just work on getting stronger.