Info & Tips

Hockey is one of the few sports that maximizes the capabilities of the human body.

It requires strength, speed, dexterity, power, and intelligence.

 

To achieve that, you need the best equipment possible.

 

Undoubtedly, hockey skates is the most important tool for a hockey player.

 

Skates must be built for comfort and high performance, so finding the best hockey skates is crucial.

 

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Our Top Picks

Best Beginner Hockey Skates
Tour TR-750 Hockey Skate

Best Beginner Hockey Skates
Botas Draft 281 Hockey Skates

At the same time, hockey skates are also the most expensive piece of equipment you will buy.

The skates your favorite NHL forward wears, like the Bauer Vapor 2x Pro, can retail at $1000.

Customizable skates can cost much more.

If you’re a beginner player, or your kids are moving up in rank, this could be way outside your budget.

A common question asked by our synthetic ice customers is, “ What skates should we buy?”

That’s why we put together this short list of the 10 best hockey skates under $200.

At $200 - and just below (or above) - you can find a low-to-mid-tier skate that can provide an excellent fit, comfort, and protection.

These are also beginner skates, perfect for recreational players or those just getting into hockey.

When it’s time to upgrade, you (or your child) will have a feel for the fit and performance.

So it will be easier to transition to a pro-level skate.

When it comes to hockey skates, there are a few brands that you can trust for their experience and quality:

• Bauer
• CCM
• Graf
• Botas
• True

Some of these brands start well beyond our $200 ceiling, so you won’t see them on this list (we’re looking at you, True).

However, that does not mean they aren’t exceptional skates. 

Our mission is to keep coins in our pockets and excellent skates on our feet.

So, without further ado, consider one of these 10 hockey skates to help you crush it on the ice.

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Here Are Our Picks For The 10 Best Hockey Skates Under $200

These skates are perfect for any ice surface (natural or synthetic) and are often available in all sizes.

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Best Beginner Hockey Skate

Tour Tr-750 Hockey Skate 

 

Starting off the list is the Tour TR-750

The Tour skates are relatively unknown but are growing in popularity.

The Tr-750 are entry-level skates that are available for kids and adults.

The boot has a unique synthetic material with a hard-toe cap for added protection.

The inner lining is soft yet durable, providing the necessary support for hours. 

Key Features (Pros)

• Thick felt tongue to protect the upper foot
• Firm boot with a synthetic outsole that withstands moisture from the ice. 
• Comfortable for recreational skating or casual use

Possible Drawbacks (Cons)

• Synthetic materials can break down faster than other brands. 
• Stainless steel blades that require sharpening right out of the box. This could signify that the blades may not hold their edge over time.
• Sizing may be a challenge. The boot is for unisex adult sizes, but no other sizing chart information. 

Overall, this is a cost-effective entry-level skate that is comfortable and durable. 

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 Botas Draft 281 Hockey Skate

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This Czech-made skate is recommended for intermediate to advanced skaters and is available for kids and adults.

The boot can feel more like a stitched shoe, with two pieces of synthetic plastic that create the boot with a hard plastic toe cap.

Key Features (Pros)

• Botas provides solid ankle support without being too stiff
• A sleek, ergonomic tongue that provides comfort and protection. 
• The added padding around the ankles provides stability without stiffness.
• The boot has a sharp blade made of carbon steel.

Possible Drawbacks (Cons)

• Finding the right size can take time and effort. Make sure to follow sizing instructions. 
• Boot material may be less durable compared to other brands.

What makes Botas so appealing is its price point.

At less than $150 for their skates, you receive a competent entry-level boot while saving your hard-earned money. 

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American Athletic Ice Force Hockey Skate 

American Athletic is one of the best hockey skates at a competitive price.

The skate is great for indoor and outdoor use due to its strong, durable materials.

The light boot has a professional look but can still perform well. 

Key Features (Pros)

• PVC boot which improves speed but still provides durability. 
• A padded microfiber lining helps skaters with comfort while reducing moisture. 
• Unlike most brands, this one provides sizing that’s more true to your shoe size. 

Possible Drawbacks (Cons)

• Skaters with wider feet may struggle with comfort, even though the size guide attempts to correct that issue. 
• Stainless steel blades may need repeated sharpening to hold their edge. 
• The stiff boot can take some time to adjust when on the ice.

AA Ice Force is a highly-rated boot online for less than $80.

Of course, the materials aren’t mind-blowing, but you or your family will get fantastic use out of the skates with the proper care.

 

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Jackson Ultima Softec Sport Recreational Hockey Skate

Founded by world-class skaters, the Jackson brand has been around since the 1960s.

The Softec hockey skate is one of their premier offerings, a patented design that focuses on warmth and comfort without losing durability.

These skates are great for recreational hockey, so you don’t feel restricted by a rugged, rigid boot.

Key Features (Pros)

• Excellent style and colors not seen in hockey skates.
• Waterproof sole to prevent moisture, increasing the lifespan of your skate
• Heat moldable technology designed to keep your feet warm on cold rinks. 

Possible Drawbacks (Cons)

• Some skaters might prefer a stiffer boot. Reduced stability means the boot may take longer to break in.
• The softer material means reduced ankle support. However, there is a velcro strap for additional support.

Jackson provides the right mix of style and comfort.

The thick, warm material makes them ideal for outdoor skating and hockey.

Like most new boots, take some time to break them in and sharpen the blades before skating. 

 

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Botas Attack Men’s Hockey Skates

Another Botas makes this list. The Attack 181 is geared toward beginner and recreational skaters.

These lightweight skates have a hard quarter made of two parts, bringing additional stiffness to protect against pucks and stray sticks.

The plastic toe cap provides support to the front of the foot.

The runner and holder are standard, with the runner needing sharpening immediately to hold its edge. 

Key Features (Pros)

• Side ventilation reduces moisture, allowing you to skate longer. 
• A sleek design, with composite material to protect the foot.

Possible Drawbacks (Cons)

• The boot has comfortable inner padding but does not form to the foot like other models. 

• Blades are only possible to change with help from a professional.

This skate is excellent for testing your skills before upgrading to advanced skates.

You’ll get sufficient speed and durability.

For those with wide feet, the shape may require the boot to be worn with loose lacings. 

 

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TronX Stryker Soft Boot Hockey Skate 

TronX is known for its lacrosse and hockey accessories, but they’ve also ventured into skates with the Stryker hockey skates.

These boots look sleek and sturdy, but they’re soft boots for beginners or recreational skaters.

The soft shell also comes with a large tongue and padded lining, so you feel maximum comfort when you skate.

Key Features (Pros)

• Great entry-level skate at a competitive price. 
• Hard-toe cap for added protection from pucks and sticks.
• Comes with a size guide to help customers find the best fit.
• Blade comes pre-sharpened

Possible Drawbacks (Cons)

• Stainless steel blade may not hold its edge for long. It may need repeated sharpening based on use.
• Soft boots often lack added ankle support most skaters enjoy.

This boot is new to the party. However, the design, fit, and low price point will make it a mainstay. 

 

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Winnwell Amp 300 Hockey Skates 

Canadian-based Winnwell may be the best-kept secret when it comes to hockey equipment.

They provide everything from sticks, helmets, and nets and have recently included hockey skates in their offerings.

The Amp 300 has nylon and PU lining with molded toe cap designed for protection. 

Key Features (Pros)

• The NXT CleanSport technology helps these skates resist mold and moisture, leaving them fresher for longer.
• The comfortable felt tongue provides added protection and stability. 

Possible Drawbacks (Cons)

• Stainless steel runner must be sharpened before use, adding to the overall cost.
• Skate may not hold its edge with heavy use. 

The Amp 300 is available in multiple sizes for seniors and juniors, with the most expensive pair coming in at less than $120 CA ( about $90US).

With a 100% money-back guarantee, you can try these out with confidence. 

 

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CCM Super Tacks 9350 Senior Skates 

Along with Bauer, CCM is arguably the most well-known hockey skating brand.

Adults looking to restart hockey can consider the Super Tacks 9350 skates. CCM has the best hockey skates preferred by professional hockey players.

Even though this boot is less than $150, some of the high-end qualities apply to these tiers. 

Key Features (Pros)

• The 3-D designed quarter focuses on being durable while light, making it one of the faster skates on the market.
• It provides extra stiffness, which is appealing to more advanced skaters.
• The thick ankle foams and large felt tongue focus on comfort and support. 

Possible Drawbacks (Cons)

• The stainless steel runner is unchangeable, so you will spend time and money on sharpening rather than replacing the blade.
• This skate is best for recreational use only. The top of the boot can be uncomfortable in long sessions or excessive use. 

These skates are available for any age and are usable right out of the box.

They also maintain a medium-volume fit, so almost any foot type can use it. 

 

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5th Element Stealth Recreational Hockey Skates 

The 5th Element skates have been around for years and are popular among recreational hockey skaters. You won’t use these to get into a professional game, but they will do the job. They’re great for men and women and fit true to shoe size. This boot is a softer synthetic material, making it easier to break in than others. 

Key Features (Pros)

• The moisture-resistant liner helps with comfort and speed.
• Toe, ankle, and heel supports for more durability
• Usable straight out of the box.

Possible Drawbacks (Cons)

• While it's true to shoe size, the skate does not account for different foot shapes and lengths. Some skaters may struggle with comfort over long skating sessions.
• Stainless steel edge may lose its edge faster depending on the skate’s manufacture timeframe. 

This highly-rated skate brings style and function to recreational skaters. It’s also one of the cheapest on this list. 

 

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Erik Sports Men’s Canadian Hockey Skate 

 

Last on the list is the Canadian R50 skate by Erik Sports.

This skate provides the design and functionality hockey players look for.

The R50 is ideal for beginner to intermediate skaters.

It combines multiple materials for the quarters, including PU and nylon, as well as other synthetic parts.

Key Features (Pros)

• Thick 8mm tongue made of felt material that protects the instep from pucks and sticks.
• Reinforced toe cap and heel for added stability and protection
• Thermoplastic helps keep the feet warm during outdoor skating. 

Possible Drawbacks (Cons)

• Heavier skate can impact speed and agility
• Although there is a contoured toe bed, the boot may not cater to different widths. 
• Targeted to men, no junior or women’s sizes available.

 

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The #1 thing to consider when choosing a hockey skate

If someone told you that size does not matter, they have never worn an ill-fitting hockey skate before.

So your number one priority should not be price, but comfort.

If they don’t fit well, your feet hurt. ...A lot.

Then they swell and hurt even more. 

Finding the right fit can be difficult.

While we all wear the same shoe sizes, our feet take on different shapes.

Hockey skates aim to cater to different feet as balancing on blades for several hours can be uncomfortable.

Each brand has different styles that cater to narrow, normal, or wide feet.

It is recommended that you visit a skate shop first, so you can try on your skate.

If you can’t there are still steps you can take to ensure you have the best skate possible.

Get your skate size

As a rule, skates run big.

Manufactures make skates 1-1.5 sizes larger than your regular pair of sneakers.

In other words, don’t buy the same size as your (or your child’s) shoe as the boot will be too big.

Large skates mean slower skating, falls, and an overall poor experience.

Use the size guides of Bauer, CCM, or your provider of choice to find the right size.

Consider the skate volume

Boot size is the easy part, as that will just determine the length of the skates.

The volume is the total space inside the boot, which is even more important.

Volume takes into consideration the skater’s foot width in relation to its length.

There are several handy videos online to help you trace your size and calculate your volume.

Based on the results, you can find a High, Medium, or Low Volume skate.

Most people fall in the Medium category.

Choose your width

Skates also have additional width measurements which further help performance.

These measurements vary by manufacturer.

For instance, you can get a High volume skate with a more tapered look or a Low volume skate with a wider fit.

Like volume, most skaters choose the Standard fit but you can always adjust as you move onto other skates.

Check your brand of choice for their width measurements.

Your skates should be snug, with your toe just touching the toe cap (with your socks on of course. Make sure to measure your feet with socks).

There should be an inch off space in the back, just enough to place your finger.

Make sure to check your warranty or return policy.

If it’s not feeling quite right, do not hesitate to replace it.  

Skate measurements are fluid.

For instance, Bauer introduced the “1,2,3 Fit system” to simplify what can be a difficult process.

Should I buy hockey skates or recreational skates?

You may be tempted to spend much less on a recreational skate on the shelf at Walmart.

Some can look like hockey skates and are much cheaper.

Recreational skates are great for leisure skating a couple of times per month or just for the winter season.

Hockey skates provide more ankle support and protect the foot from the inevitable bangs and clashes from sticks, pucks, and opponents.

You can skate recreationally with your hockey skates but it’s not recommended you play hockey in your leisure skates.

It’s Time To Skate!

Finding the best hockey skates at a reasonable price can be a challenge.

Luckily, most of the best brands on the market have a tier that can provide excellent performance at a reasonable cost.

They should last at least one year with heavy use on both natural and synthetic ice.

The best ice skates don’t need to break the bank.

Focus on comfort and fit, then performance.

 

Should I learn ice skating as an adult? 

Ice skaters often get bundled into two categories.  

First, you have young children and teens learning the ropes of figure skating and ice hockey. 

Next, you have competitive groups of coaches and professional skaters.

They fight for all of skating glory: Nationals, NHL, Olympics, the list goes on.    

But what about the group in the middle? 

Hundreds of thousands of adults ice skate recreationally and many more are looking to start.  

Why are more adults interested in skating? 

Ice skating for adults has some fantastic benefits, and you should enjoy them whenever you lace up your skates.

One particular benefit is its ability to keep you active and fit.  

If you’re ready to glide towards better health, read on to learn the benefits and ways you can skate with and without ‘ice.’ 

Ice skating benefits 

When you skate for the first time, it can feel a bit unnerving, even for adults. 

At first, you’ll look like a newborn fawn walking on the ice. 

And you will fall—a lot.

Then walking will turn into gliding.

Once you do get the hang of skating, you’ll begin to enjoy these benefits:  

• Ease the stress: Our stress levels are higher than ever. We need different outlets to express ourselves and drop our cortisol levels. Skating takes you to another world thanks to the feel-good endorphins we release on the ice. The more you skate and have fun, the better you feel. You’ll also build up your confidence, which comes from achieving goals and becoming skilled in something you enjoy.

• Explore the different forms of skating: Ice skating is more than moving around the ice on metal blades. There are various disciplines you’ll discover over time. These include speed skating, synchronized skating, dance, and many others. It’s a great form of self-expression. Choose your niche and dive in!

• Build fantastic relationships: Ice skating has been around for over 100 years. Since then, it’s built a deep, passionate community that you now belong to. You’ll meet people from all walks of life and even build special bonds.

• Achieve better balance and flexibility: Ice skating looks easy, but it is one of the more challenging sports to start. It requires you to balance on blades 1-1.5 mm wide and about 20 inches long. When you do get the hang of it, you’ll realize that your overall balance improves, even when you’re not on skates. You can also improve your flexibility as you continue to play around with different moves and forms of skating.

• Low entry barrier: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, more people have been searching for new sports-related hobbies.

However, some sports like golf, fishing, or rock climbing require significant upfront costs to enjoy or be competitive.

With ice skating, you simply need high-quality skates, skating lessons, and access to an ice rink. 

We recommend you invest in your own skates once you have decided to go all-in.

Visit a skate shop to get the right size for your needs.  

These are fantastic advantages, but the real kicker with ice skating for adults is the exercise and health benefits.  

Is ice skating good exercise for adults? 

Only 19% of American adults participate in exercise or other forms of physical activity.

These low figures are reflected in other statistics like obesity or lifestyle diseases.

A possible reason we don’t exercise is that it could sometimes get boring.

Heading to the gym to do the exact repetition of exercises for years takes more discipline than fun. 

Ice skating is suitable for adults because it does not feel like exercise. 

If you’re ready to glide into better health, read on to learn the benefits and ways you can skate with and without ‘ice.’ 

You get all the health benefits while learning a new skill.  

• Better heart/cardiovascular health: Ice skating can get your heart and lungs beating, even for a short period. Poor cardiovascular health is one of the biggest dangers to American health. Most cases are due to sedentary behaviors (sitting for long hours watching Netflix, for instance). Skating lets you stay active, reduces inflammation, and boosts your heart health.

• Manage your weight: Do you want to boost your calorie burn? Ice skating may be the activity you’ve been looking for. You can burn up to 850 calories per hour of ice skating. Achieving high-calorie burn is one of the best ways to manage your weight.

• Increase your endurance: Skating for an hour can leave you gassed after your first few sessions. Over time, you’ll skate for longer as you’ll build up your stamina and endurance. From age 35, you begin to lose lung capacity, especially if you don’t exercise.

• Get stronger: So, what muscles is ice skating good for? Ice skating is an excellent lower-body exercise. You can work out your glutes, hamstrings, and calves. Staying balanced also engages your back and core. With consistent skating, you will notice a more toned lower body

Ice skating for adults is more than a hobby.

For some, it can be a lifesaving activity.

In addition, the strength and energy you gain from skating pass on to other parts of your life.  

How long does it take an adult to learn how to ice skate? 

Adults of almost any functional age can learn ice skating.

It’s not unheard of for adults in their 50s or 60s to join the skate train! 

It should take the average adult about 4-5 skating sessions with a qualified coach to get the basics of skating, using figure skates or recreational skates first.  

Of course, different factors will speed up or slow down this timeline, including: 

• Your overall fitness levels, agility, and balance
• Private or group coaching
• How much time you missed between sessions.
• How many times you’ve skated between sessions.

You can move on to more advanced moves when you’ve learned the fundamentals of skating – balance, gliding, falling, and so on.  

Becoming an advanced skater can take years of practice, so be patient and don’t forget to have fun. 

In addition, the strength and energy you gain from skating pass on to other parts of your life.  

Can I ice skate at home? 

While ice skating has a low barrier to entry, you still need access to an ice rink to skate consistently.

This can be challenging as some states only have a handful of recreational rinks.

Coaches, hockey teams, and competitive skaters book these rinks, limiting your time on the ice.  

You can wait for more temporary rinks during the holidays, or you can ice skate at home.  

Ice skating at homing is growing rapidly, thanks to synthetic ice.  

Backyard rinks of various sizes are popping up.

People are converting their garages or spare rooms into ice rinks.

Synthetic ice allows you to skate all year without the hassle of scheduling time on a local rink. 

Synthetic ice is a unique, polyethylene surface that mimics natural ice.

These tiles or panels were previously used in commercial spaces but now come in customizable sizes. 

 You can create a large surface for recreational skating, figure skating, or even hockey.

Each tile has sides that connect to give a smooth, functional rink.  

You will barely notice the difference as you glide around with your skates on the tiles (the coefficient of friction is about 10%).

These tiles are infused with a slip agent that allows you to skate seamlessly.  

Synthetic ice is easy to maintain and lasts up to ten years based on use.

For an outdoor rink, you’ll also need rink walls, which can come in handy for the other newbie skaters in your home.

You’ll get an excellent return on your initial investment.  

It’s also perfect for off-ice drills in hockey and figure skating.

If you want to perfect specific skills when you’re not on the ice, a synthetic rink can help.  

Skating at home prepares you for even more fun when it’s time to hit the neighborhood rink.  

Conclusion

As we age, staying active is one of the best things we can do.

Ice skating is a practical yet fun way of achieving it.  

You burn calories, strengthen your body, and improve your cardiovascular health.  

Ice skating for adults can be challenging at first.

Even those who skated as a child and wish to resume as an adult will struggle.  

However, once you get accustomed to the ice, it’s one of the easiest ways to stay healthy.  

Best of all, you’re not limited to ice rinks near you.

You’re not limited to the winter months or even going to another state to skate.

You can keep practicing your skating at any time with an at-home rink.  

Are you ready to get started?

Search for a skating program near you.

There are several online resources that you can use to search for group or individual classes via zip code.

You can also find skating coaches and classes on Instagram or TikTok.

So get your ice skates and head over to your first class! 

At some point, you may be interested in synthetic ice for skating at home.

Our Home Ice Tile Starter Kit will set you up with a 32 sq ft. space to practice your moves.

Then you can expand your rink as you see fit. 

 So lace up your skates and start gliding toward better health!

 

There's no better feeling than lacing up some ice skates and gliding around with friends or competing in ice hockey or figure skating.

Ice skating has been around for over a century, yet less than 5% of Americans still know how to do it.

On a positive note, figure skating is more popular than ever and ice hockey is a great team sport that continues to grow in demand, so more people want to learn how to ice skate today than ever before.

Yet, there seems to be something holding even more people back and it may just be the perceived difficulty. 

The form of ice skating may look like this crazy feat as you see the best in the world figure skating, speed skating, or playing ice hockey. 

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 Learn How To Ice Skate At Home With Your Own PolyGlide Synthetic Ice Rink!

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 It's a challenging skill to learn but trust me when I say, If you can learn to walk, you can learn to ice skate!

The difficulty lies in consistent practice to learn the basics of skating, which can only happen with access to a frozen layer of water called ice.

Hey, even professional ice skaters needed to start somewhere!

We're not only going to break down the fundamentals of skating, but we will also cover learning the basics of ice skating without ice.

If that sounds too good to be true, read on to find out!

Benefits of ice skating

So why ice skate in the first place?

People initially created the form of ice skating out of necessity and was critical for transporting goods across miles of ice across bodies of water in frigid climates.

Now, it's part of hobbies, sports, and entertainment.

Skating is more than gliding on ice skate blades across a glorified ice block and in time skaters who practice will improve balance, agility, and lower body strength.

The form of Ice skating is a fun way to stay in shape, and you can build fantastic cardiovascular endurance.

Over time, your body and mind will thank you for investing in this fun, physical activity.

What we've enjoyed about skating over the years is its community.

With skating, friends and families come together to enjoy a shared experience.

It's a path for kids and adults to express themselves, learn a skill, and possibly pursue a skating-related sport or international competition.

Overall, it's just fun!

When winter rolls around, it's hard to find physical activities that will lift your mood.

If you've been thinking about learning the basics of ice skating, now's your time to get started.

Can you learn how to ice skate without ice?

You need three things if you want to learn how to ice skate:

• Ice Surface (you can buy fake ice here)
• Skates: Figure Skates or Hockey Skates
• Someone to teach you

But what if you don't have ice or a decent pair of skates can beginner skaters still learn how to ice skate?

How can it be done without figure skates, hockey skates, or any pair of skates?

It seems ridiculous to suggest you can skate without ice as it is called 'ice skating', after all.

The fact is that everyone does not have access to an indoor ice rink and in some states, the ratio of ice rinks to people is as high as 1 in 15,000!

That means you may need some other way to learn how to ice skate before opting for ice skating lessons.

Here are three options to consider:

1. Try cross-training in a similar discipline

You can learn the basics with inline skates, like rollerblades.

Inline skates are relatively inexpensive and provide another way to practice that's always been quite popular.

It's not the exact science as you can't practice your "edge work" but inline skates will emulate the balance and control that's required on ice skates.

You'll be able to skate with them on any hard surface like concrete, wood or sport court to get in a workout.

2. Get socks and a slide board

If you're looking to emulate a pro skater's positioning, balance, and technique, consider a slide board.

Slide boards are great for learning the basics of ice skating because they help you develop the motion, push, and muscle memory, plus they are easy to practice on at home

Slide boards are long, rectangular boards that are available in multiple sizes and have foot stops on each side of the polymer, flat surface.

This smooth, slick board allows you to push off and slide side-to-side emulating the skating stride that will strengthen your leg muscles.

All you'll need is a pair of socks or special booties, and you can begin improving your stride and deep knee bend.

You can purchase a Slide Board here. 

3. Invest in synthetic ice

PolyGlide Ice is perhaps the best and closest option for skating without 'ice,' and by far, one of the best ways to learn how to ice skate. 

PolyGlide is basically fake ice that you can set up in your garage, basement, driveway or other flat surface and have the experience of ice skating at your own home, any time of year. 

Skaters have been utilizing synthetic ice for off-ice training for many years using traditional ice skates with metal blades.

Synthetic ice is square tiles or panels made of special polymer material that can handle the wear and tear of hockey and figure skates.

The tiles or panels are infused with a special slip agent and connect like puzzle pieces to form a surface where you can use ice skates.

We have three size options for you to consider:

• Home Ice Starter Kit (4-per kit)
• 1/4" Thick
• 32 sq ft per kit
• 4 Panels per kit
• Pro-Glide Panel
• Full Size Pro Glide Panels
• 1/2" Thick
• 32 sq ft each
• Pro-Glide 1/2 Panel
• 1/2" Thick
• 16 sq ft each (Half-SIze)

While the friction is slightly higher than natural ice, this is as close to the real thing as it gets and makes for the ideal "ice simulator".

There are a significant amount of public skating rinks, backyard rinks, and commercial spaces that implement synthetic ice for off-ice training.

This option provides the ultimate training tool in helping you learn how to skate like a pro.

Learn How to Ice Skate Using these 5 fundamentals

To start off, it's important for us to cover some basics and for you to practice these core moves so you can get a feel for skating.

Before you do anything, make sure you're dressed for the occasion.

Wear warm but breathable clothing if you're outside during Fall or Winter.

Bundle up or strip down according to the situation as it's important that you don't have too many layers that restrict your movement.

If you're using ice skates or inline skates, make sure they are the right size so they fit comfortably.

Your next stop is to get on the surface without falling by steadying yourself on a wall or railing. From there, push off and start learning the following:

1. Learn to March

Marching is one of the more popular basic moves in skating.

As the name suggests, you'll be moving forward in a marching motion.

Keep the hands spread apart to form a 'T' with the knees slightly bent for balance.

Then raise one skating foot up and back (right or left foot), repeating the process until a smooth marching movement pushes you forward.

2. Practice falling and getting up

Falling is a significant part of skating and is inevitable so it's important to practice falling correctly.

(Tip: Having elbow and knee pads may help soften your fall and lessen your risk of injury)

If you feel like you're about to fall, bend your knees and place your hands in front of you to try to stop all movement and regain balance.

If that fails and you still fall, make sure to lower yourself and adopt a sitting position when you fall, if possible and be careful of the sharp blades.

Let your butt take most of the hit, and avoid falling on your knees or outstretched hands.

To get back up, move onto your hands and knees like a dog or cat and get one knee up (right or left foot), then place one foot on the surface (synthetic or roller)

Take both hands on that knee and apply a little force to hoist the rest of the body off the floor.

The more you practice falling and getting up, the less intimidated you become by the concept and the more fun you'll have skating.

3. Learning to Glide Forward

Gliding is an upgrade from the marching technique as you start off for a few steps, then glide with both feet on the surface (synthetic or roller).

The momentum will allow you to move and glide for a few feet and you can repeat the process until eventually, you'll march and glide on each foot.

This technique helps you to establish a smooth stroking movement by pushing off of one foot and gliding onto the other.

Keep your hands apart to maintain balance, with knees bent and torso upright.

4. Practice Turning

Turning will help you navigate the ice, especially when there are other skaters around or you're playing hockey with friends.

If you want to turn left, you'll bend your knees (a deep knee bend helps) and shift your weight to the left.

The outside edge of the left skate and the inside edge of the right skate will help with turning.

Then let the left skate drift in front to help steer your body in the right direction.

Turn your head and shoulders to help you naturally turn to the left.

The opposite strategy is needed for turning right.

5. Learning to Stop

Stopping is one of the coolest things you can learn, and is essential when learning the basics of ice skating, as there are many ways to do it.

Hockey Stop: While gliding with two feet, turn the hips to the side, bend and drive the feet into the ice. A great exercise at a skating rink is holding onto the rink wall and making clumps of ice by repeatedly sliding your skate away from the body.

Snowplow Stop: Hold your arms and hands out to the side for balance with both legs apart. When you're ready to stop, bend your knees and turn one foot inward to form a V position (you can also turn both feet inward slightly).

T Stop: When you're in a glide, place the feet in a T position (heel of one foot lined up to the middle of the other) and shift your weight to the back leg.

Stopping takes lots of time and practice to master so find the easiest one for you, get comfy, then move on to the next one. 

Now with the basics in mind, let's try to apply these fundamentals to scenarios where we don't have actual 'ice.'

How To Ice Skate Without Ice – Cross Training With Inline Skates

Inline skates can help with the feeling of balance, movement, and agility while building up your power and stamina.

Furthermore, confident inline skating can translate to a confident form of ice skating.

Inline skating surfaces have much more friction than natural ice also, the wheels constantly make contact with the surface, unlike ice skating.

You'll also need to learn to stop without the breaking mechanism that's built into these skates so be sure to add some protective gear.

If you already know how to inline skate, focus on turning, gliding, and stopping (without using the breaking mechanism).

For beginners, the marching and gliding techniques are a great starting point.

The goal of training for ice skating is to practice the same stances you'll use when gliding, turning and stopping.

Keep your knees bent and hands out to the side while working on maintaining your balance, especially on one leg.
.

How To Skate Without Ice – Using A Slide Board

Slide boards are somewhat limited in what you can learn but you can still strengthen your stride and practice skills that will make you a stronger skater.

Here's what you can do with your slide board:

• Work on your balance: Start on one end of the slide board, facing the other end. Push off the edge, practicing a balanced stance. Keep your knees bents and your arms outward until you get to the other end. Turn around and repeat the exercise.
• Practice gliding: Keep your body in a low skier's pose and slide from one end of the board to the other. Repeat at many times as possible. Another great drill is to push off on one foot and glide to the other end, maintaining your balance. Try pushing off forward and backward with a focus on balance. Build up speed and strength by performing these exercises faster.
• Practice snowplow hockey stops: Start on one end and slide to the other before you reach the end, turn your body and practice the hockey stop or snowplow stop.

Slide boards are perfect for building strength and learning the fundamental stances and motions for skating.

Check out our Glide-Infused SLIP SLIDE BOARD - LOW IMPACT TRAINING

There will still be a learning curve when adding ice skates, but you'll have the basics.

As a bonus, you can get a slide board made with synthetic ice, then try these techniques with your ice skates.

How To Skate Without Ice – Synthetic Ice

PolyGlide Ice is the best way to train without 'natural ice.'

No refrigeration, no electricity, and no liquid water or layer of water is needed!

There's a slight difference in friction, but beginners won't feel the difference.

A big advantage is falling won't feel as painful or as uncomfortable on a cold layer of water or a hard icy surface.

Set up your synthetic ice rink by connecting the tiles or panels on a flat surface.

We have several articles and tutorials on setting up a backyard ice rink.

With portable synthetic ice tiles, you can create your own indoor or outdoor rink wherever you want! 

Start skating by practicing the earlier marching technique. March and glide to one side and back to the other.

When comfortable, move on to gliding and stroking from one side to the next.

Finally, practice different types of stopping and turning.

Because synthetic ice is the only ice simulator where you can use your ice skates with metal, curved blades, you'll learn the fastest!

How To Skate Without Ice – Sock Skating

If there's one thing we've learned here over the years is that people love to glide AND slide!

The newest fun and exciting sport that has been trending and growing in popularity is sock skating!

There's not a whole lot of explaining to do when it comes to this activity, just grab a pair of slick, slippery smooth socks and hop on a well-buffed floor.

The skating movement does not transition to actual ice skating but it will get your heart pumping while having a lot of fun getting a good leg workout.

Sock skating is also a great way to introduce skating to young toddlers who aren't quite ready to lace up and fall at the local, cold ice rink.

Many Children's Museums have added sock skating activities to their Holiday Winterfest schedule which continues to grow in popularity.

Conclusion

Ice skating is all about working on the basics that provide balance, strength, and confidence.

It also requires lots of practice to achieve some level of mastery, which can be difficult without access to a rink.

You don't need to use that as an excuse to hold you back from something you're interested in or enjoy.

Start with any of the options we mentioned; inline skating, slide boards or synthetic ice.

Ice skating is fun with company, so get friends or family to join in your journey.

Once you get gliding, falling, turning, and stopping down to a science, you can add neat tricks to really look like a pro or one day be ready for international competition!

If you need help sourcing slide boards, synthetic ice, or other helpful tools on your ice skating journey, feel free to connect with our team.

Most of all, have fun and keep practicing!

 

There's no doubt that hockey players are some of the fittest athletes in all of sports.

The great thing about it is that it can be played on all surfaces, not just ice, for those who are looking to have some fun while getting into shape.

We put together some hockey workouts and exercises that are commonly used by hockey players to get into shape and can be used by anyone.

So if you are sick of the same old routine and workout programs and are in need of something new that will help you get away from that office desk or off the computer, then hockey may be just the sport for you!

Do you love watching hockey and would love to play?

Do you want to know that feeling of scoring the winning goal?

So grab a hockey stick and let's get going!

 

What Hockey Training Involves

One of the most important things that you need to do when training like a hockey player is to focus on your conditioning.

Hockey players are some of the most well-conditioned athletes in the world, and they need to be able to skate for long periods of time without getting tired.

In addition to conditioning, another important part of training like a hockey player is strength training.

Hockey players are strong and powerful, and they need to be able to generate a lot of force when they are skating.

If you want to train like a hockey player, you need to make sure that you are doing some form of cardio and strength training every day.

This can be anything from running to swimming to biking and weightlifting.

It's also critical to make sure to eat a healthy diet and get plenty of rest and allow your body to get used to your new routine.

Health Benefits 

Hockey is a great way to stay active and healthy, and will also help improve your overall fitness level.

It also offers a variety of health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, increased strength and endurance, and better joint health.

Additionally, hockey training can help improve your balance and coordination.

And because hockey is anaerobic exercise, it can also help improve your aerobic capacity.

The constant movement helps to increase your endurance and stamina, making it a great workout for your heart.

In addition to the physical benefits, hockey training can also have some mental benefits as well.

The skills required to be a successful hockey player can help to improve your focus and concentration.

The sport can also be a great way to relieve stress and build self-confidence.

 

7 - Steps to Getting Started

If you're just starting out or looking to improve your hockey skills, you need to start with a training program.

First, make sure you have all the necessary equipment.

You'll need a decent pair of hockey skates and some protective gear.

You should also have a good understanding in the sport of Ice Hockey before you start your own hockey training program.

Once you have all the equipment and understanding of the game, start by planning out your program.

Decide how many days per week you want to train, and what kind of exercises you'll do each day.

Make sure to include a warm-up and cool-down in your program, as well as some basic hockey training drills.

1 - Diet

Hockey players have to be very careful about what they eat.

They need to make sure they're getting enough calories and nutrients to fuel their training, but not so much that they'll gain weight.

A typical hockey player's diet will include lots of lean proteins, complex carbs, and healthy fats.

Foods like chicken, fish, rice, pasta, vegetables, and fruits are all important staples.

Hockey players also need to make sure they're staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

As for workout routines, hockey players need to focus on building strength and stamina.

2 - Balance and Posture

Have you ever wondered how hockey players maintain such excellent balance and posture?

While playing hockey may look effortless, the reality is that it takes a great deal of training and practice to execute all the skills to play the game efficiently.

Fortunately, there are some things that everyday people can do to train like a hockey player and improve their own balance and posture.

Balance: Paying attention to your body's natural center of gravity can help you maintain better balance.

When standing, keep your weight evenly distributed between both feet.

Avoid slouching or leaning to one side

Some great exercises for this include Pilates, yoga, and even basic sit-ups and crunches.

Posture: Posture is one of the most important things to focus on when it comes to having good health.

Having poor posture can lead to a number of different health problems, including back pain, neck pain, and headaches.

One of the best ways to improve your posture is by strengthening the muscles in your back and abdomen and being more conscious of your overall posture.

This can be done by doing core exercises.

3 - Strengthen Arms and Legs

Most hockey players train their arms and legs separately.

They will use a variety of exercises to build strength in their arms, such as weightlifting, resistance training, and even yoga or Pilates.

Hockey players need to have strong arms and legs in order to execute the quick starts, stops, pivots and turns required in Ice Hockey.

Some hockey players also use cross-training methods, such as swimming or biking, to help them build endurance and stay in shape during the off-season.

Swimming is especially beneficial because it is a low-impact activity that still provides a good workout.

Biking can also be helpful for building-up your leg muscles while getting in some cardio at the same time.

4 - Core Training

There are many ways to implement a core training program.

Some factors to consider include the intensity of the program, the frequency of sessions, and the duration of the program.

Some people prefer to train their core every day, while others may only train a few times per week.

The intensity of each session will also vary depending on the person's goals.

For example, someone who is looking to improve their overall fitness may do lighter core exercises more frequently, while someone who is trying to build muscle may do more intense exercises less often.

The duration of a core training program will also vary depending on the person's goals.

A person who is looking to improve their overall fitness may do shorter sessions more frequently throughout the week.

5 - Sprints

Hockey players invest a lot of time improving their quickness and overall speed with off-ice training by performing wind sprints to help them become faster skaters.

Off-ice running is a key element in hockey conditioning that helps players get into shape quickly through cardiovascular training.

To help add some speed to your stride here are some quick tips to get you going: 

First, it's important to build up strength in your legs and glutes.

Quick starts in hockey require a lot of leg strength, so make sure to include some exercises to target your quads, hamstrings, and calves in your workout routine.

Squats, lunges, and calf raises are all great options.

Stronger leg muscles will help you generate more power when you push off, allowing you to execute quicker starts.

Next, having quicker reactions will help you execute starts and stops "on the dime" and perform at a higher level.

Include some stretching and mobility work in your warm-ups and cool-downs, and consider doing yoga or pilates on days when you're not skating.

And of course, last but not least.....Practice, Practice, Practice!!

6 - Power and Agility

There are a few ways hockey players can train to be more agile and powerful.

One way, believe it or not, is through stretching exercises.

Stretching helps lengthen the muscles, which can make hockey players more explosive and quicker on the ice.

These exercises help improve core strength and balance, both of which are important for any hockey player.

Finally, hockey players can also try swimming or peloton classes to help them become more agile and powerful.

Swimming is a great workout for the whole body and peloton classes can help improve quad strength and skating stride.

By incorporating these activities into their training regime, hockey players can become more flexible and graceful athletes.

7 - Staying Active

One way to stay active is to add movement to your everyday life and consider this part of your training routine.

This could involve doing some cardio exercises at home or going for a run outdoors.

You could also join a gym and take classes there, or even hire a personal trainer to help you stay on track.

Another way to add movement to your everyday life is to simply be more active in general.

This means taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking or biking instead of driving, and just generally moving your body more.

Even small changes like this can make a big difference in your overall health and fitness levels.

So, if you’re looking for ways to add movement to your everyday life, consider making these little changes along the way.

 

Tips for staying motivated

There are a few key things that hockey players can do to stay motivated while training.

First, it's important to set realistic goals for yourself and your overall game.

If you're constantly pushing yourself to improve, you'll be more likely to stay motivated.

Secondly, figure out what you love about hockey and focus on that.

Whether it's the feeling of making a great play on the ice or the satisfaction of advancing your game, keep your love for the sport at the forefront of your mind.

Finally, make sure to take breaks and enjoy your free time; hockey should be fun!

If you're feeling burnt out, take a few days off and come back refreshed and ready to play.

Sample Workout Routine

Here's a sample of what your daily routine could look like:

Wake up and eat a nutritious breakfast to fuel your body for the day ahead.

Try oatmeal with fruit or eggs and toast.

Head to the rink (or home ice rink) for a morning practice.

During your workout, focus on perfecting each skill.

Take breaks as needed to catch your breath and stay hydrated.

After practice, refuel with a protein-rich snack like yogurt or a peanut butter sandwich.

Then it's time for some strength training.

Work on core exercises and upper body strength to help with your lifts.

 

Recommended Resources

If you're thinking about training like a hockey player, there are some key resources you'll need to get started.

You'll need to start thinking about what kind of training program you want to create.

There are many different ways to structure a hockey training program, so it's important to do some research and figure out what may work best for you given your schedule.

There are many excellent resources available online and youtube that can help you plan and implement your hockey training program and take your game to the next level!

CONCLUSION

If you’re looking for a fun and challenging workout that can help improve your balance, coordination, and overall health, then train like a hockey player!

Also, you don’t need to live near an ice rink to get you started!

All you need is a little bit of space in your home and some PolyGlide Synthetic Ice and you'll be skating in no time!

We put together some rink packages for the home hockey player that you may want to consider to get you going.

So If you’re looking for an invigorating and challenging workout that can improve your balance, coordination, and overall health, then training like a hockey player may be perfect for you!

Now that we outlined some ways you can get started with or without access to your local ice rink it's time to take the next step!

Before long, you'll be training like a hockey player and in the best shape of your life!
 

How it All Began

I founded my company from a need that dated back to my childhood years and took me until my adult "Hockeydad" days to realize.

The problem: Limited access to ice time, enough to perfect the skills necessary to excel at the game I loved... Ice Hockey.

It's what led me to where I am today as a formative leader in the synthetic ice industry, providing unlimited ice time to those in need, anywhere, anyplace, at any time.

It also led me to the world's most prominent entrepreneurial reality show with a chance to pitch my product, PolyGlide Ice, on prime-time national television.

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Check Out Our Pitch To The Sharks On ABC's Shark Tank

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 What Was it Like to Appear on Shark Tank?

The question I'm asked most often, "What does it feel like to pitch to the Sharks?" can be answered in one simple word...Incredible!

From the day I submitted my email entry to the Shark Tank executive producers until my scheduled air date had to be, no doubt, one of the shortest and longest years of my life.

Longest because I couldn't tell anybody throughout the process, and shortest because so much took place that year; it's all a blur, but I can tell you it was an overall great experience!

Several family members had told me for a while that I should try out for the show, but I always shrugged it off and never gave it much thought.

Then one day, I figured out what the heck and filled out the online questionnaire form with information on my product and company and hit the send button.

After submitting my December 2015 email and not hearing back from anyone for over four months, I honestly forgot all about it.

Then the call this entrepreneur's been waiting for came in April 2016 asking, "So tell me about your synthetic ice panels," and that's when it all began.

Video Submission Deadline

The phone interview lasted about fifteen minutes, and at the end of the conversation, I was told, "Congratulations, you made it to the video submission round."

This next step involved producing a five-minute video submission explaining my product to wow the producers with my story.

I had only a few short minutes to tell how PolyGlide Ice became a manufacturer of the best artificial ice on the market.

I had only two weeks to complete the production as there were deadlines they were facing on their end.

After submitting my video a week later, I got another call saying

"Congratulations, the producers loved your video, and you're being considered for the show" however, nothing's ever guaranteed in the television world.

 

Shark Tank Arena

After continuing through the process, I was lucky enough to get my break and a chance to pitch to the sharks.

Once I was assigned a producer, I had to create the draft of my first pitch, which I thought I nailed until I read it to my shark tank producer.

My opening sentence was great, but it was back to the drawing board for the remainder of the pitch until I got it right.

It was apparent the synthetic ice panels would provide a visual attraction, and having youth hockey players skating into the tank got the Shark's attention.

 

Time to Pitch to The Sharks

Fast forward to August, and final preparations are underway involving all the details of my shark tank pitch, right down to the set design and travel arrangements.

At this point, it's finally official,

I'm going to pitch to the SHARKS!! (or am I?).

The simple fact is that even if you are allowed to pitch, only 40-50% of all Shark Tank pitches ever make it on air.

The fact is, contestants have to wait until just a few weeks before their "air date" even to confirm if they have an air date ...and throughout the process, you can tell NO ONE!

It's Showtime for PolyGlide 

My pitch date was scheduled for September 20th, 2016 (Season 8, Episode 11) and after going through the whole process, trust me when I say I was beyond ready.

The common question is always "Were you nervous?" and I can honestly say I was much more excited than nervous.

As it turned out, because of the sizeable synthetic ice set design, I was to be the first pitch of the day, and the Sharks were wide awake waiting for their first "taste of the day."

Once the countdown began, there was no turning back 3, 2, 1, ACTION!

All in all, the entire pitch lasted about 45 minutes, that in the end, was trimmed down to 8-1/2 minutes of non-stop air time.

The fact is, the average 30-second prime commercial costing around $400,000.00 which would put me about 6.8 Million dollars ahead of the game, Deal or no Deal.

 

 

Let the Pitch Begin

After my opening pitch, things started rapidly, with the Sharks often talking over each other with their questions.

My engineer who traveled with me was in the green room and said it looked like I was watching a tennis match as my head spun on a swivel, snapping back and forth, addressing the fast pace of the questions.

Many comical moments were edited out of the episode, which took on a more serious tone in the final cut. 

The deal for me, quite honestly (though not with a Shark), was just getting on the show AND being given an air date.

The feedback from the Sharks, and valuable exposure, were much more than I could ever ask for.

Conclusion

In the end, I can tell you that if you're an entrepreneur ready to take the next step and put it all out there, try out for Shark Tank.

Even though I didn't get a deal, the experience can be life-changing and help take your business to the next level.

If, by chance, you don't make it on the show, then I recommend you pitch your company to your friends and strangers whenever you can get the opportunity.

Their feedback will help steer you in the right direction and help you better understand your customers, and make the best decisions for your company and product.

Take a second and check out some of our most popular rink packages!

PolyGlide Ice - Home Ice Tiles

PolyGlide Ice - Pro-Glide Panels

 

Keep on Skating! 

Jim Loughran, PolyGlide Ice
www.polyglideice.com

For additional information call: 855-765-9423

CHECK OUT SOME OF THESE GREAT SHARK TANK PRODUCTS

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SEE RESCUE STREAMER

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