Although in principle it is possible to warm up on the ice, by doing a few laps or certain Moves In The Field, you will be wasting valuable ice time on something which can be done for free at the rink-side. Even if you think that working on stroking is never a waste of time, it is much easier to concentrate in proper technique and posture when you are not all cold and stiff. Also, it is impossible to stretch you leg muscles properly with your boots on. Finally, if you test or compete it is especially important to have an warm-up routine in order to be able to use the short on-ice warm up more effectively. Not to mention that the warm up helps relax and keep those pre-performance nerves under control.



The full warm up should last between 5-15 minutes. As a rule of thumb, the higher your skater level and the older you are, the more you benefit from a longer warm up. However, even a few minutes make a big difference: you get a feeling for the ice much faster and skate with more power and better balance right from the start, being able to make more efficient use of the session. When it comes to the Big Three of exercise cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training it's pretty clear which one can get overlooked. After all, while we prize cardiovascular and strength training for their role in helping us lose weight, build muscle and get fit, the benefits of flexibility training are less immediately alluring.

Flexibility training is probably the most overlooked element of an exercise program. Many people prioritize cardiovascular activity and strength training during their workouts and then leave the gym without a good stretch. The information given to the exerciser about when to stretch, how long to stretch and how to stretch can many times be confusing and conflicting. Even some physiologists disagree on the best way to stretch. However, in reality flexibility is an important part of an exercise program and there are a few commonly known guidelines that you can follow. For more details visit http://www.soundbodytrainer.com/