Warm-Up Is the Key to Great Sessions

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Along with the challenge of staying focused, this warm-up routine allows you to set the tone for the rest of your practice session.  You’re allowing your body to ease into the ice and prepare to be used for skating. This is much better for your joints and muscles as you start jumping, spinning, and skating your program. 

A good warm-up routine is the same idea as stretching before a workout at the gym.  It doesn’t have be intense, but it gets your heart rate up, and prepares your mind for the next 25 minutes to one hour session. Use your arms, point your toes, and extend your legs.  Your warm-up is a full body workout.  After warm-up, your jumps and spins will feel and likely look better too.  Enjoy this process!  Your warm-up routine allows you to take the first five to ten minutes of your session to find your focus.

After a long day at work, or school, you can shake-off any negativity from the day and use your warm-up to bring in positive vibes.  Take this time to find your focus, be present in the practice session, and not think about your to-do list.  Until next time, skate strong, find your focus & keep building your strength!

Sample Warm-Up Routine

1.   Stroking 1-2 laps around the rink

2.   Crossovers (½ lap forward and ½ lap backwards)

3.   Cross-rolls with arm work, using the length of the rink

4.   4-6 Forward and Backward Swizzles with arm work

5.   Forward and Backward Slaloms, using the length of the rink-- each side

6.   Back Scratch or Scratch Spin

7.   1-2 single jumps or a jump combo

For a challenge, replace the Swizzles with Counters or Rockers, and Slaloms with Power-Pulls.