Ask Coach Rex

Spring 2021

Published on June 3, 2021

“My son is 10 years old and is treadmill skating for his age is a good idea? What are the pros and cons?“

~From Amit J.

Coach Rex’s Answer:

  • Thank you Amit. A very good question. The skating treadmill has been an effective off ice training aid for the last 3 decades mainly for teenage players and up. I personally used it for two summers myself when doing some hockey player training. I found the treadmill training improved my forward starting especially my quickness and power.
  • However, many skating treadmill training setups have players skating up hill. When skating uphill on a treadmill, the skating movements change. There’s more hip extension (pushing backward) and less hip abduction (pushing to the side). The treadmill training helps more with forward starting and less for forward striding development. Also, it’s a “different friction feel” skating on the plastic treadmill surface vs. actual rink ice.
  • In addition, if skating technique is not tweaked on the treadmill by a qualified power skating instructor, the workout turns into more of hockey fitness (an anaerobic conditioning exercise of 10 to 45 seconds) each time on the treadmill and building leg muscle strength. The skating treadmill’s primary skating benefit is to help with a hockey player’s forward movement and it’s limited when helping a player improve their overall skating skills.
Amit’s Son Raj enjoying some time on an outdoor rink with a beautiful view!
  • Amit, for your 10-year-old hockey playing son, I recommend a broader skating curriculum especially practicing stronger balance and edges as well as agility and mobility drills on the ice. No off ice teaching aid not even the skating treadmill can replace good on ice skating practice and quality power skating instruction especially for young developing hockey players (6 to 12 age range). The bottom line, you will receive better value and results for your hockey development dollars from an experienced on ice power skating program.

Note: The skating treadmill can be an option if on-ice development is not available.

~Coach Rex

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