The Hockey-Workout Mindset

"WORK OUT TO GET STRONGER. PLAY HOCKEY TO GET BETTER AT HOCKEY" 

- PAJER HOCKEY'S VIEW ON WORKING OUT AS A HOCKEY PLAYER

The Pajer Hockey Workout Mindset

Working out is necessary for any and all hockey players. However, do not be mistaken, when you go into the gym, do not expect to become a better hockey player. The ONLY way to become a better hockey player is to get out on the ice and play as much as you can against the highest level you can find. Only then will you get better. 

Working out provides 2 key things: 

Both of these ARE IMPORTANT. To expand on the first point; The problem is that too many hockey players enter the gym with the mindset of getting better at hockey. I do not support that mindset. The mindset is that you should enter the gym to get bigger, stronger, and faster. With this mindset, you will naturally become a better hockey player.

As for the second point, an injury can derail any aspirations you have with hockey. Working out does help prevent injuries, but can also be the cause of injury. This is why I am cautious of when the top 1% of NHL players release training videos. Guys like McDavid, MacKinnon, and Bedard have had the greatest trainers and coaches guide them through complex movements and exercises that are effective for those who have very little to improve upon. For 99.9% of hockey players, you do not need those exercises. In fact, those exercises, without proper guidance, have a high probability of injury. 

Beyond all of this, you need to do what is good for you. I would recommend training to failure and to workout as often as you can, focusing on muscle growth and density. This would be in conjunction with getting on the ice as many times a week as you can. Everyone is a little bit different, but just do what works well for you.

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