Getting older and stiffer

[Leafshater67]

Hey guys,

I’m not old by any means but I am getting older and noticing some stiffness in my hips primarily.

I was just wondering what you guys are feeling like 35+ and what tips / tricks you’ve done to deal with it.

I am going to the gym 4 times a week minimum, doing a healthy mix of cardio and weights with my focus being on core and legs. I am thinking of hiring a personal trainer and trying to incorporate some flexibility stuff in there. I am not really sure but sometimes my hips just lock up.

Playing senior hockey now. I am 35, it’s full contact. I am having fun and having some success on the ice but it takes more out of me than it should and my hips seem to get it the worst

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[puckpilot]

Search up some hip mobility stretches on youtube and find the ones that work for you. Hockey players have notoriously tight hips.

Just don't expect immediate results. It can take time to regain flexibility. About 5-10 years ago, I was so stiff I was having issues reaching down to wipe my own rump. That and a bunch of other issues with my shoulders and back made me realize how much of a difference stretching regularly can make.

When I started in on my hips, it took like 6 months before I started to really see results. It took some time to break down the scar tissue and mostly rid myself of the crunchy muscles. I'm north of 50 now, and flexibility is not an issue. In fact stretching regularly has taken care of most of those aches and pains I'd get in my neck and shoulders and lower back.

I make it a habit of stretching while watching TV or stuff on the computer. Instead of sitting on the couch. I get on the floor, get into a stretch. I can get all my stretching in during a one hour show.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Hey guys,

I’m not old by any means but I am getting older and noticing some stiffness in my hips primarily.

I was just wondering what you guys are feeling like 35+ and what tips / tricks you’ve done to deal with it.

I am going to the gym 4 times a week minimum, doing a healthy mix of cardio and weights with my focus being on core and legs. I am thinking of hiring a personal trainer and trying to incorporate some flexibility stuff in there. I am not really sure but sometimes my hips just lock up.

Playing senior hockey now. I am 35, it’s full contact. I am having fun and having some success on the ice but it takes more out of me than it should and my hips seem to get it the worst

Hip and ankle mobility workouts are absolutely essential at any age, and you will pay the price big time if you aren’t doing it as you get older.

Way too many ppl overlook ankle mobility when they play hockey and it’s a huge mistake.

Be sure to do both hip and ankle mobility routines 4-5x a week/10-15 mins a day.

Another important factor is your hollow - if you are skating on a 1/2 it’s going to make you work way too hard and grind down your hips/knees/back.

Work your way to a 3/4 hollow and get your skates profiled - your body will thank you.

 

[Leafshater67]

Hip and ankle mobility workouts are absolutely essential at any age, and you will pay the price big time if you aren’t doing it as you get older.

Way too many ppl overlook ankle mobility when they play hockey and it’s a huge mistake.

Be sure to do both hip and ankle mobility routines 4-5x a week/10-15 mins a day.

Another important factor is your hollow - if you are skating on a 1/2 it’s going to make you work way too hard and grind down your hips/knees/back.

Work your way to a 3/4 hollow and get your skates profiled - your body will thank you.

Copy that. I’m at a 9/16 atm, I’ve got a spare set of skates I will get done to 3/4 and try. That’s not something that even crossed my mind honestly. Thanks for that. I am Not a young man anymore and am carrying another 30 or so pounds. No clue what I used to run in junior but it wasn’t the standard profile, that’s all I know.

I’ve spent the past 3 years doing the same workout routine I did in my early 20’s and trying to undo years of not exercising. I definitely have to adapt. I’ll include ankles into that too because it’s not something that crossed my mind. I’m going to start calling personal trainers with my goals and see what I can get. Thanks for that.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Copy that. I’m at a 9/16 atm, I’ve got a spare set of skates I will get done to 3/4 and try. That’s not something that even crossed my mind honestly. Thanks for that. I am Not a young man anymore and am carrying another 30 or so pounds. No clue what I used to run in junior but it wasn’t the standard profile, that’s all I know.

I’ve spent the past 3 years doing the same workout routine I did in my early 20’s and trying to undo years of not exercising. I definitely have to adapt. I’ll include ankles into that too because it’s not something that crossed my mind. I’m going to start calling personal trainers with my goals and see what I can get. Thanks for that.

Skate profiles are wild with so many choices today.

When I played it was basically 7’ 9’ 11’ 13’.

Now they have various machines they do them on and there are boundless options.

Basically pick a machine, ie Prosharp, Cag, etc and then drill down into what you prefer.

 

[Leafshater67]

Skate profiles are wild with so many choices today.

When I played it was basically 7’ 9’ 11’ 13’.

Now they have various machines they do them on and there are boundless options.

Basically pick a machine, ie Prosharp, Cag, etc and then drill down into what you prefer.

Yeah, I’ve been running the same profile since after junior and haven’t experimented at all.

I had a brand new pair of RBK 9k pumps in the basement from back in junior. I bought modern skates (jetspeed 6) and I’m going to try some blade stuff as well on my spare pair for practice. Thanks for that. I’ve been out of the loop for a long time now

 

[DingerMcSlapshot]

Hey guys,

I’m not old by any means but I am getting older and noticing some stiffness in my hips primarily.

I was just wondering what you guys are feeling like 35+ and what tips / tricks you’ve done to deal with it.

I am going to the gym 4 times a week minimum, doing a healthy mix of cardio and weights with my focus being on core and legs. I am thinking of hiring a personal trainer and trying to incorporate some flexibility stuff in there. I am not really sure but sometimes my hips just lock up.

Playing senior hockey now. I am 35, it’s full contact. I am having fun and having some success on the ice but it takes more out of me than it should and my hips seem to get it the worst

Arthritis probably. Stay active. You can slow it down a smidge. But cannot be stopped. Near the end of my playing days. I was taking COX-2 meds the night before games. See a Dr. and get a Professional opinion. Best bet.

 

[DingerMcSlapshot]

Hip and ankle mobility workouts are absolutely essential at any age, and you will pay the price big time if you aren’t doing it as you get older.

Way too many ppl overlook ankle mobility when they play hockey and it’s a huge mistake.

Be sure to do both hip and ankle mobility routines 4-5x a week/10-15 mins a day.

Another important factor is your hollow - if you are skating on a 1/2 it’s going to make you work way too hard and grind down your hips/knees/back.

Work your way to a 3/4 hollow and get your skates profiled - your body will thank you.

New skates have almost eliminated ankle mobility. Met the Magic Man many decades ago. Learned something from him that stuck with me forever. Don't tighten skates too much and don't do up the last 3 or 4 eyelets. Now you have mobility and superior edges.

 

[Yukon Joe]

So I've got nothing to suggest to @Leafshater67 because I'm older (49) and he's already doing more exercise than I'm doing.

But if anyone wants to suggest some specific exercises/stretches to combat stiffness and improve flexibility in hockey players I'm all ears.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

New skates have almost eliminated ankle mobility. Met the Magic Man many decades ago. Learned something from him that stuck with me forever. Don't tighten skates too much and don't do up the last 3 or 4 eyelets. Now you have mobility and superior edges.

Ya I taught my daughter the “Crosby Method” and she doesn’t lace her second eyelet but laces her top eyelet.

It’s a hybrid method that helps ankle mobility but still offers some stability.

 

[Boxscore]

I'm 50+ and have been back on the ice for the last 7 months. The best advice I can give as you feel your body starting to ache, slow down, and tighten up...

1. Stretch before and after you play.
2. Focus your exercises on enhancing your play... bike, squats, core, tris.
3. Invest in a massage gun... this is absolutely one of the best things you can do!
4. Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated on the bench.
5. And (most importantly)... improve your diet with nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory foods.

As a side note: Not to derail your passion but playing full-contact at 35 for fun is a losing proposition, lmao. It will take a toll on your body and when you hit 41 you will 100% pay the price. If you want to prolong your playing career, consider switching to non-contact, open hockey, or a league with buddies.

My goal is to play into my mid-60s and that likely wouldn't be possible if I kept playing contact post-high school.

 

[Yukon Joe]

My goal is to play into my mid-60s and that likely wouldn't be possible if I kept playing contact post-high school.

I know at least one guy who is still playing in his 70s. He's not fast to be sure, but he's still out there.

OP said he is playing senior hockey. It's amateur hockey, but very high level. If he can still play at that level then good for him. I suspect that even at the highest level of rec hockey it is going to be less competitive than senior hockey.

 

[DaaaaB's]

I know at least one guy who is still playing in his 70s. He's not fast to be sure, but he's still out there.

OP said he is playing senior hockey. It's amateur hockey, but very high level. If he can still play at that level then good for him. I suspect that even at the highest level of rec hockey it is going to be less competitive than senior hockey.

My Dad played with his huff'n'puff group until he was 70 and there were guys older than him still playing. Most of the guys who play on the Senior team in town quit between 30-35 and some earlier but there's a guy a bit older than me who amazingly played until he was 42.

Myself on the other hand, I had to quit playing hockey(rec not senior) about 5 years ago(41 now) because of my hips and ankles. I've tried physiotherapy, stretching and all kinds of ointments but nothing really helps much and I'm probably going to have to quit my job soon because of it. Getting old really sucks.

 

[Yukon Joe]

Myself on the other hand, I had to quit playing hockey(rec not senior) about 5 years ago(41 now) because of my hips and ankles. I've tried physiotherapy, stretching and all kinds of ointments but nothing really helps much and I'm probably going to have to quit my job soon because of it. Getting old really sucks.

Getting old really does suck. I'd recommend against it - except it's better than the alternative.