Getting Older and Stiffer

[Spearmint Rhino]

Most guys have the opposite problem.

Yoga can be great for that too depending on the ‘scenery’

 

[swoopster]

I am one of those guys 70+ yo and playing twice a week. Our local rink has noon drop in hockey from 12 to 2 every week day, so on Tuesday there is a good group of retired guys who show up. On Friday, some of us better older players skate with much better and younger players, and we have a ball. We are respected as legends and locker room camraderie and joking is great. I cruise when I want, play no defense and occasionally make the beautiful move or pass... all for $8 dollars.

F going out and coming home after midnight, playing with clowns who can't wrap their pinheads around "rec hockey" and the cost is less and the ice time longer.... win win win!

Keep playing and remember.... it's supposed to be fun and make you feel like a kid again!

 

[Boxscore]

I am one of those guys 70+ yo and playing twice a week. Our local rink has noon drop in hockey from 12 to 2 every week day, so on Tuesday there is a good group of retired guys who show up. On Friday, some of us better older players skate with much better and younger players, and we have a ball. We are respected as legends and locker room camraderie and joking is great. I cruise when I want, play no defense and occasionally make the beautiful move or pass... all for $8 dollars.

F going out and coming home after midnight, playing with clowns who can't wrap their pinheads around "rec hockey" and the cost is less and the ice time longer.... win win win!

Keep playing and remember.... it's supposed to be fun and make you feel like a kid again!

This is wonderful and absolutely where I hope to be in 20 years. I skate every Sunday morning with a great group of guys... but it costs a $20 spot. Well worth it!

 

[Malaka]

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

Check out the ready state on YouTube or download their app. Try their warmups and protocols. Do Pilates, and check out yoga from a PT like Dr Arielle Foster(regular yoga programs poor mechanics). Absolutely seek help from licensed professionals and not anecdotes off the Internet, take care of yourself and stay on top of maintenance.

 

[Saskatoon]

37 here - I found the most difference with losing 15 pounds from my normal weight (I'm 6'1 so that amount probably less if you are shorter) and like others have said doing yoga.

I wasn't serious about it either - the wife and I would just choose a 30-60 min random youtube video

 

[Yukon Joe]

I'd really like to go to a trainer one time and say "please give me a 15-30 minute workout I can do at home that will help make me a better hockey player".

Because I ordinarily hate doing just static exercise at home or in a gym (much rather be playing a game like hockey) but maybe I can fool myself into actually doing it if I think it'll improve my game.

 

[KingsHockey24]

Have intercourse before you head out to the arena.

 

[Boxscore]

Have intercourse before you head out to the arena.

"Women weaken legs." ~ Mickey Goldmill

 

[Nathaniel]

Im 31 and already having trouble taking on guys like I did when I was even 29. Crazy how fast you can actually hit a wall once you reach 30. Im not exactly a gym rat either.

 

[Boxscore]

Im 31 and already having trouble taking on guys like I did when I was even 29. Crazy how fast you can actually hit a wall once you reach 30. Im not exactly a gym rat either.

I felt my first "dip" at 39... second one at 50. It's frustrating but you'll adapt.

 

[Nathaniel]

I felt my first "dip" at 39... second one at 50. It's frustrating but you'll adapt.

It is not even that I don't want to take people on anymore. Its like my mind just stops me from doing so. Like it knows my body. Frustrating for sure

 

[Leafshater67]

It is not even that I don't want to take people on anymore. Its like my mind just stops me from doing so. Like it knows my body. Frustrating for sure

Yeah, I used to be full of piss and vinegar and fought often in junior. Now I just don’t have that dog in me anymore. The dog inside of me now is a golden retriever. Not scared at all, just indifferent mostly.

I’m not going to let anyone bully me out there but getting in a fight every game isn’t something I’ll ever do again on purpose.

 

[Reverend Mayhem]

I’m a shorter guy but I wouldn’t say I back down from shit

I’ve played and scrummed and almost fought guys 7-8 inches over me and 50-100 pounds heavier. But my dog is getting tired as well. I’ve lost shoulder mobility and knee mobility in my right side.

It’s just sad to hit that wall at 31 but I didn’t take care of myself off the rink either. But I was never that much of an athlete anyways. Just one competitive MF.

I learned to ice skate proper at like 18 and am self-taught.

My question is can I force my knees to bend if I play lower to the ice? I feel like I’ve at least gotten more economical with my energy this way but it takes a heavy toll.

 

[shakes the clown]

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

there's no tricks. You're getting old. I first noticed it around 33 years old, that was the first time I felt like I lost a step. Every few years you feel like you lost another step until eventually there are no more steps to lose.

Also playing full contact at 35 is just plain idiotic. You're basically asking for injuries and a shortened mens league career.

 

[shakes the clown]

I am one of those guys 70+ yo and playing twice a week. Our local rink has noon drop in hockey from 12 to 2 every week day, so on Tuesday there is a good group of retired guys who show up. On Friday, some of us better older players skate with much better and younger players, and we have a ball. We are respected as legends and locker room camraderie and joking is great. I cruise when I want, play no defense and occasionally make the beautiful move or pass... all for $8 dollars.

F going out and coming home after midnight, playing with clowns who can't wrap their pinheads around "rec hockey" and the cost is less and the ice time longer.... win win win!

Keep playing and remember.... it's supposed to be fun and make you feel like a kid again!

yep, you can still play orgainzed rat with young guys as long as the young guys have old man respect.

 

[shoeshine boy]

they say that there are 2 major cliffs in ageing. 40 and 60. stuff starts to hurt that didnt used to and you don't recover as quickly.
I recommend stretching everyday. I do about 15-20 minutes of gentle stretching every night. about 80% of the stretches are for hips and groin.
also, start seeing a massage therapist once a month.

 

[Leafshater67]

Leaf, how many times per week are you skating?

Sometimes every day but usually about 3-4 times.

 

[Leafshater67]

just outta curiousity. Are you using free weights vs machines (like leg press) for strength? Do you have a warm up, cool down routine? What exercises are you currently doing broadly. Have you changed things up frequently or are you primarily focussing on increasing weight/reps for each exercise?

Lots of potential avenues to go down with increasing movement at your hips.

Originally, I was doing a lot of free weights and doing your typical gym bro chest and arms to try to gain a little muscle mass back. Probably lifting heavier than I should have been too.

Since getting a personal trainer, I’ve been working on a lot of cardio, stretching and a proper cooldown. It’s much more focused and efficient than me winging it honestly and I’m busy so I have more time now that I’m not planning workouts. He swears in yoga too and I’ve almost got my courage up enough to try hot yoga with my wife but not quite. I’m doing minimal free weights now, mostly all machine stuff and cardio.

I probably should have mentioned my primary goal is not really ice hockey performance, it’s mostly just to be agile and athletic again. I want to live a healthy lifestyle and enjoy myself. I spent so many years being fat and lazy, it took a toll on my life and took me out of many things I enjoyed. Even just something like snowmobiling in the mountains takes a lot of fitness and I was going less and less. I feel like I’ve taken my life back and my competitive nature has me competing with myself to get better. It just happens to be my on ice performance is the easiest way to measure it.

playing full contact at 35 is just plain idiotic. You're basically asking for injuries and a shortened mens league career.

If I never played again tomorrow, it would have been worth it because I wasn’t playing at all.

It’s only a couple of years. This is my second season, I’ll probably play my last next year but I still haven’t decided if I’m going to play another at all yet. I’ve accomplished my mission and it cuts into snowmobile season. Two bad seasons gave me lots of time to play hockey but a good one would limit it.

I regret nothing. It was awesome to get back into playing shape and prove something to myself. It’s also a massive rush playing in front of a bunch of screaming fans. Also glad my wife got to see me play and cheer for me, that was cool. I forgot what it felt like honestly. I’m still an effective player but I am aware that I am not a young man either. I figure a few years in my 30’s isn’t as bad as if I never quit playing for 15 years.

 

[DaveG]

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.

they say that there are 2 major cliffs in ageing. 40 and 60. stuff starts to hurt that didnt used to and you don't recover as quickly.
I recommend stretching everyday. I do about 15-20 minutes of gentle stretching every night. about 80% of the stretches are for hips and groin.
also, start seeing a massage therapist once a month.

Working on mobility has been a huge help for me in this regard. In addition to doing my usual pre-game stretching and my gym work 3-4 times a week I'm doing a dedicated yoga day once a week as well (thankfully included with my gym, but there's good routines on youtube) that have helped to a ridiculous degree. Working on strength using full range of motion as much as possible will naturally help, but dedicated flexibility works is rather underrated. It's made a big difference for me not being AS beat up after a game/skate session though of course being in my mid 40s now I'm still not going to be at my peak.

 

[Reverend Mayhem]

Honestly far too many players IMO make the mistake of doing too much upper body work and not enough core and cardio. I’m as guilty for that as any.