Katy's Column | Stryd!

My journey began with a seemingly out-of-the-blue direct message from Sauce Toss, a company I'd heard of but never interacted with before. They requested a Zoom call to discuss an exciting new training tool. To be honest, I was puzzled. I didn't exactly possess what you might call "hockey hands," and I was unsure what Sauce Toss could possibly use me for, but none the less I was intrigued as Sauce Toss is a well-known brand & I was excited to meet the team.

 As the virtual meeting started, I found myself chatting with the guys behind the PowerSkater, a machine that has been around for years, but a complete new concept to me. They were passionate and confident about the product's potential, but my skepticism remained. I've been coaching power skating for years, honing specific mechanics and techniques, and I couldn't wrap my head around how a machine could accurately replicate the complexities of on-ice movement.

Despite my doubts, I listened intently as they explained the science and design behind the PowerSkater. They assured me that this device wasn't meant to replace traditional power skating training, but rather to complement it. Intrigued by their perspective, I decided to give the PowerSkater a chance. After all, innovation comes from pushing boundaries and embracing the unknown.

My first encounter with the PowerSkater was eye-opening. I stepped onto the machine with a mix of excitement and apprehension. As I glided through the stride motion, I felt a sense of familiarity. It wasn't a perfect replica of hockey skating, but it had a rhythm that resonated with the movement. I was cautiously optimistic, but still unsure of its application in my coaching. UNTIL ... 

I started using the PowerSkater in my training sessions with athletes. I was blown away by how it addressed the fundamental bad habits that many hockey players struggle with in their skating. It forced my athletes to correct their posture, engage their core, and emphasize proper weight distribution—all crucial elements for efficient skating.

My skepticism has transformed into genuine enthusiasm! The PowerSkater has become indispensable tool in my training arsenal. It isn't about replacing traditional coaching methods, but rather using technology to pinpoint and correct the nuances that can be challenging to capture on the ice alone. My athletes continue to improve, not just in terms of speed and power, but in their overall skating mechanics.

If you find yourself intrigued by the journey I've shared, and if you're eager to transform your own power skating skills, I have exciting news for you. You can be part of this movement and enhance your training regimen by purchasing your very own Stryd.os PowerSkater. By using the code "KATY23" at checkout, you'll not only gain access to cutting-edge technology at a discount but also the opportunity to train alongside me.

When it comes to ice hockey power, agility, and endurance are essential attributes that can make or break a player's performance on the ice. Enter Stryd.os PowerSkater — a revolutionary training tool that has been gaining attention and changing the game for hockey players. In this post, we'll explore why I BELIEVE the Stryd.os PowerSkater is such a beneficial tool for hockey players, and how it can give you the edge you need to excel in this fast-paced sport.

1. Explosive Power Development: The PowerSkater's design and function are perfectly aligned with the demands of hockey. The stride motion simulates the precise movements required during a game. By engaging muscles in the core, quads, & glutes, the PowerSkater builds explosive power that is directly transferable to on-ice strength. This type of power development is crucial for not only stride development but quick turns, accelerations, and many other facets of skating skill that are integral to hockey gameplay.

2. Muscle Endurance: Hockey is a sport that demands not only short bursts of speed but also sustained effort throughout the game. The PowerSkater's ability to provide muscle endurance training through extended intervals helps players build the stamina required for intense shifts on the ice. The continuous movement of the Stryd.os PowerSkater challenges muscles to maintain performance even when fatigued, ensuring you remain strong during crucial moments of the game.

3. Agility and Balance Enhancement: Hockey players need to be agile and maintain balance while navigating the ice amidst opponents. PowerSkater workouts improve lateral stability, balance, and proprioception—the body's sense of its position in space. These gains translate to better control on skates, enabling you to change directions swiftly and maintain control during challenging plays.

4. Hockey-Specific Training: Traditional conditioning exercises can sometimes lack the specificity required for hockey. The Stryd.os PowerSkater, on the other hand, closely replicates the movement and muscle engagement patterns involved in skating. This specificity ensures that your training translates seamlessly to the rink, giving you a distinct advantage.

5. Versatile Training Tool: The PowerSkater isn't just for off-ice training—it's compact and portable, making it an ideal tool for home workouts or training sessions at the gym. Whether you're a professional player or a dedicated amateur, the PowerSkater offers a versatile training solution that fits into your schedule. 

Join the Stryd.os PowerSkater movement today by using my code "KATY23" at checkout. This code not only gets you access to cutting-edge technology but also opens the door to training alongside me. Don't miss out on the chance to upgrade your power skating skills and become a part of a community dedicated to pushing boundaries and reaching new heights on the ice. Embrace innovation, embrace growth, and let's power up your game together.

In the world of ice hockey, goaltenders are a unique breed of athletes, with their own set of skills and training needs. Enter the Stryd.os PowerSkater—an innovative training tool that's not only making waves among skaters but is also finding its place in the world of goaltending.

I had the privilege of joining Global Goaltenders Retreat, held in the stunning backdrop of Breckenridge, Colorado this summer! What an honor!!  It was incredible to see a group of goaltending experts came together to explore the potential of the Stryd.os PowerSkater from a perspective that might seem unconventional at first glance. The result? An exciting revelation of how this tool could be tailored to the unique demands of goaltending training!

I brought the PowerSkater as a tool to train the skaters who joined me, but as the goalies saw us working some became curious. So, they began experimenting with the PowerSkater. It wasn't long that they quickly realized that the PowerSkater could be adapted in ingenious ways to target goaltender-specific techniques.

A couple of insights I gained from the goalie perspective and some ideas I'm happy to share with you all ...

1. Goaltender Stride and Stance: Holding the glove side and blocker quiet, the goaltenders mimicked the general stance and extension of a goaltender's stride on the PowerSkater. This innovative approach aimed to improve the goaltender's lateral movement and gain strength/agility on the ice.

2. Butterfly Pushes: An intriguing experiment involved removing the foot rests and laying the goalie pad on the PowerSkater. This allowed goaltenders to practice pushing off from the butterfly position, simulating movements crucial for rapid recoveries and quick positioning adjustments during play.

Plans have been set in motion to return to Breckenridge, Colorado next summer, armed with even more innovative ideas and strategies to explore the potential of this remarkable tool with players and goaltenders alike! 

Join the Stryd.os PowerSkater movement today by using my code "KATY23" at checkout. This code not only gets you access to cutting-edge technology but also opens the door to training alongside me. Don't miss out on the chance to upgrade your power skating skills and become a part of a community dedicated to pushing boundaries and reaching new heights on the ice. Embrace innovation, embrace growth, and let's power up your game together.

Shakopee, MN a group of dedicated skaters embarked on a transformative journey trusting me and the Stryd.os PowerSkater as their guide, they delved into a comprehensive program aimed at rehabilitating their strides and reshaping their skating! Twice a week, we would meet, driven by the shared determination to revive our movements and rediscover the art of efficient skating!

Over the course of the 20-hour camp, skaters experienced a dramatic shift in their skating dynamics. The PowerSkater, with its innovative design, targeted the underlying issues that had been holding back their progress. Bad habits that had become ingrained were systematically dismantled, leaving room for the cultivation of proper mechanics.

As the skaters dedicated themselves to using the PowerSkater twice weekly off-ice & skating with me twice weekly on-ice, a metamorphosis was taking place. The newfound skating strength was not isolated to a single aspect of their game! YAY!  This is a gift that keeps on a givin! Beyond just the regular ol' stride, translatable skills emerged—insane improvement with body awareness, overall strength grew, accelerations became sharper, transitions smoother, improved footwork and overall speed more explosive. The modern game demands versatility, and the PowerSkater plus on-ice development was delivering just that.

As the camp concludes, a sense of accomplishment is the overall vibe. The athletes, coaches, and the Stryd.os PowerSkater have worked in harmony to achieve a transformation that went beyond what team they make next season or numbers on a scoreboard. The skaters had spent five weeks immersed in the process of revitalizing their strides, both on and off the ice. Their dedication and commitment have been tangible proof of the impact the PowerSkater has!

Join the Stryd.os PowerSkater movement today by using my code "KATY23" at checkout. This code not only gets you access to cutting-edge technology but also opens the door to training alongside me. Don't miss out on the chance to upgrade your power skating skills and become a part of a community dedicated to pushing boundaries and reaching new heights on the ice. Embrace innovation, embrace growth, and let's power up your game together.

Ice hockey is a fast-paced, physically demanding sport that requires players to master several skills. THE MOST CRUCIAL SKILL IS SKATING. Effective skating technique can make or break a player's performance on the ice; which can define outcomes of game, outcomes of a player's career. While many athletes focus on strength, speed, and agility, they often underestimate the importance of proper skating technique. Let's explore why you can't outperform bad skating technique in ice hockey and reintroduce a potential remedy: the Stryd.os PowerSkater! 

Skating is the foundation of ice hockey. It dictates a player's ability to accelerate, decelerate, change direction, and maintain balance on the ice. Bad skating technique can result in wasted energy, slower speed, reduced agility, and maybe even an increased risk of injury. Here are a few key reasons why proper skating technique is essential:

1. Efficiency : Efficient skating allows players to conserve energy while maintaining performance. Fatigue is when the errors set-in.

2. Speed : Skating speed is a critical asset in ice hockey, both offensively and defensively. Elevated technique can significantly improve a player's top speed, acceleration, & ability to maintain speed through nuances of the game. 

3. Agility : Skating technique influences a player's ability to make quick turns, pivot, and perform a variety of footwork at that fast pace the game now requires. 

4. Balance / Control : Proper skating technique allows players to maintain balance & body control using mind-to-muscle connection through the second nature habits created through mechanics training. 

5. Injury Prevention : Poor skating technique can put extra strain on joints and muscles, increasing the risk of injuries.

NOW! Why You Can't Outperform Bad Skating Technique ... 

In ice hockey, the margin for error is minimal, and even the most talented players cannot consistently outperform bad skating technique, especially as the game continues to advance and progress. So, here's why ... 

1. Limitations in Physical Ability : Regardless of your strength and endurance, if your skating technique is flawed, you won't be able to fully utilize your physical attributes on the ice.

2. Competitive Disadvantage : In a sport where fractions of a second matter, even a slight disadvantage in technique can be the difference between making or missing a crucial play.

3. Inefficiency : Bad skating technique results in wasted energy and effort. Players with poor technique tire more quickly and can't sustain high levels of performance throughout a game.

The Stryd.os PowerSkater : Is it a remedy for bad technique?

In the world of ice hockey, there is no substitute for good skating technique. Regardless of your natural talent, strength, or speed, you cannot consistently outperform bad technique. However, with the right training tools and training intentions, you can improve your skating skills through strengthen technique and mechanics. The Stryd.os PowerSkater offers a promising solution for players to rebuild consistently building strength on the machine using mindful body awareness with every movement. As skaters progress through their workouts with the Stryd.os platform or personal PowerSkater instructor, they'll find themselves using the correct technical movement throughout the workout cycle and forced to maintain proper mechanics as fatigue sets-in. The second-nature habits & foundation built on the PowerSkater will directly transfer onto the ice.This innovative training tool provides the essential framework for players to develop the balance for skating control, power for strength on pushes, agility for small-area quickness and precision for all the variety of skating the modern day demands. 

Join the Stryd.os PowerSkater movement today by using my code "KATY23" at checkout. This code not only gets you access to cutting-edge technology but also opens the door to training alongside me. Don't miss out on the chance to upgrade your power skating skills and become a part of a community dedicated to pushing boundaries and reaching new heights on the ice. Embrace innovation, embrace growth, and let's power up your game together.