Evolving Performance Podcast (Ep1): Speed Training for Hockey w/ Vicki Bendus

In this episode, Vicki Bendus shares incredible insights into speed training for hockey, including:

Key findings from her research on identifying the most impactful physical factors and related off-ice tests for on-ice speed
Speed profiling strategies to identify where a player ranks relative to their peers and what qualities they need to improve to maximize their speed
Specific training strategies players can use to improve their speed
The difference between acceleration and max velocity, how each impacts the game and different training methods to improve each
Important age-specific considerations and how to maximize speed in older players
Impactful strategies to improve speed during the season

Supporting High Performance

Special thanks to this podcast’s sponsor Metabolic Elite. Metabolic Elite’s entire product line is designed to specifically support the health, performance, and recovery of high performers. Each product is formulated using research-supported ingredients and dosages using the highest quality ingredients, so you can be confident that every product you take will deliver the maximal benefit and effect.

Check out why Metabolic Elite’s Liposomal Tablet delivery system is a game-changer: LPT White Paper

Save 15% using the code ‘neeld15’ at checkout here: Metabolic Elite

A few of my personal go-to’s:

To improve focus, decision making, and coordination: Synapsin
To improve inflammation and recovery: Tetra Cur
To support the immune system and weight management: Viraxall
To improve digestive health: Max 12 Probiotic

Maximizing Adaptation while Minimizing Recovery with Isometric Exercises

Isometric exercises are one of the more powerful and under-utilized training strategies available to athletes, especially in-season.

I recently wrote an article for Metabolic Elite discussing three isometric training methods, how they benefit performance, and how to appropriately perform them. Check it out at the link below:

Click here to read: Maximizing Adaptation while Minimizing Recovery with Isometric Exercises

To your success,

Kevin Neeld

P.S. If you’re interested in maximizing your adaptation to training AND your game-day performance, I’d highly encourage you to check out the products from Metabolic Elite. You can save 15% by using the code ‘Neeld15’ at checkout.

Introducing the Evolving Performance Podcast

Over the last few years, balancing my work and family schedules has led to me consuming a lot more audio books and podcasts than I did earlier in my career.

While there are a lot of great podcasts out there, I find that that many are (WAY) too long and/or fall short on practical application.

This is what inspired me to start the Evolving Performance Podcast.

In this “Episode 0”, I give a quick overview of my background, discuss the wide-ranging opportunities athletes have to improve their performance, and how these will impact the podcast.

My main goal with the podcast is to tap into an incredible community of performance and medical professionals, athletes, and coaches that I’ve had an opportunity to personally learn from, and share practical insights that can positively impact an athlete’s development, performance, and career.

✅ World-class guests with REAL experience
✅ Succinct, digestible episodes
✅ Effective strategies to maximize health and performance

As I mention in the video, it’s important to me that the information shared on these podcasts actually helps you. With that in mind, I’m going to ask for your input on guests, topics, and questions you’d like to see featured on the podcast, primarily through instagram. So if you don’t already, give me a follow.

Stay tuned for Episode 1, which will drop early next week!

As always, feel free to post any comments/questions below, and please share/re-post this so others can benefit.

To your success,

Kevin Neeld

Bruins Academy Feature: Upper Body Strength for Hockey Players

Check out this short clip from “Bruins Academy” where Tim Lebbossiere and I discuss two exercise variations hockey players at all ages can do to improve their upper body strength.

If you’re interested, you can check out the full episode here: Bruins Academy (Season 9, Episode 7)

Feel free to post any comments/questions below. If you found this helpful, please share/re-post it so others can benefit.

To your success,

Kevin Neeld

P.S. If you’re interested in year-round comprehensive hockey-specific training programs for players at different ages, check out Ultimate Hockey Transformation.

Enter your first name and email below to sign up for my FREE Sports Performance and Hockey Training Newsletter!

Core Strength Variations

Core strength is an essential physical quality from both performance and durability perspectives. Learning to generate stiffness through the torso can help athletes transfer energy from the lower to upper body, deliver/absorb contract, and prevent undesirable motion of the hips, spine, and rib cage.

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The Slideboard Bodysaw is an advanced “anti-extension” progression to a front plank that emphasizes generating stiffness through the core to prevent the hips from falling down or into anterior tilt.

The goal here is to actively push the chest away from the ground and keep the hips level and square to the ground while pushing the body backward. The further back you push, the harder it is.

Typically performed for 3 sets of 8-12 reps or 3-6x5s holds.

The Slideboard Jigsaw is a variation of the Bodysaw that adds a component of lateral flexion/rotation control. The coaching cues are the same (i.e. push the chest away and keep the hips level).

Typically performed for 3 sets of 6-10 reps/side.

Feel free to post any comments/questions below. If you found this helpful, please share/re-post it so others can benefit.

To your success,

Kevin Neeld
SpeedTrainingforHockey.com
HockeyTransformation.com
OptimizingAdaptation.com

P.S. If you’re interested in year-round comprehensive hockey-specific training programs for players at different ages, check out Ultimate Hockey Transformation.

Enter your first name and email below to sign up for my FREE Sports Performance and Hockey Training Newsletter!