Hello,

I just started working out again (week 8), but haven't done any cardio. I play a lot of hockey in the winter and want to be able to skate my butt off and no go to the bench wanting an oxygen tank.

Should I be doing HIIT training since that's pretty much what hockey is... go all out, rest, repeat... or should I be doing longer rides that is going to give me 'better' cardio benefits. (I have an anti-hiit friend that says not to do hiit training because it's a waste of time)

Anywho... I have an elliptical machine in the basement. I prefer to spend my time on weights, but I really want to work on my cardio before the season starts in Sept.

I would probably have to do this in the morning. I have to leave for work by 7:30am as well so HIIT might be better just because of the time I have.

Any suggestions?

Oh... should I do this on an empty stomach or have my breakfast and then ride?

Thanks! :D

I would say HIIT of some type would be what you'd want. Train for the sport you play, and that seems the most similar cardiovascularly. Running miles and miles on end won't carry over very well.

Having a big VO2max in hockey wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, but it won't help you as much as HIIT or sprints would. I would probably do a little of both. Even college track wise, they still have me doing 20 minute runs and things for the 200m.

Mixing it up is probably the best idea. I think I'll give HIIT 3x a week in the mornings a whirl and maybe a longer ride on the weekend.

I also think I'll eat after I ride as well because if I eat before, I won't have as much time to stop sweating after I ride before I have to shower and run out the door.

weird, i was just involved in studying hockey players and recovery times. anyways, what we found was that high intensity work will give you the best benefit combined with glycogen loading prior to the event and high fat meals prior to the event. remember you cannot glycogen load without depleting your glycogen first. also, no you dont need an oxygen tank because you arent using oxygen in sprints, just make sure that you dont go and sit on the bench when not on the ice, try to walk around or something, this will speed up recovery time and help expel wastes such as lactic acid and ammonia to name two

I'd like to see you tell a competitive hockey player who just got back to the bench after an intense 2:00 minute shift not to worry, that he didn't just use any oxygen.

Protective gear would be recommended :D

I should back this up before everyone starts thinking I play for the NHL. (I wish) I was just joking about the oxygen tank. I just meant that sometimes I feel really winded and I want to work on that. I play competive hockey, but it's just a local league. More for fun. I just figure if I don't have a goal for my cardio, I won't do it.

I usually always have a huge pasta meal before hockey. If I don't eat a big meal, I play like crap.

Sitting after a shift isn't much of an option. Benches are small and behind the benches have no rubber matting so I'm stuck. I usually sit for a minute and then stand and move my legs to get pumped up.

Now who wants to help me with my shot? ;)

I'd like to see you tell a competitive hockey player who just got back to the bench after an intense 2:00 minute shift not to worry, that he didn't just use any oxygen.

Protective gear would be recommended :D

people tend to relate rate of breathing with oxygen uptake. buildup of carbonic acid and H+ ions are the main reasons for respiration. in high intensity, short duration, you dont inhale and exhale because your body needs more oxygen, you exhale to release the buildup of CO2. so yeah, i even though we dont have hockey down here, i would tell a wideout who just ran a sprint and wants oxygen mask that he didnt use any, because he didnt.