Required Ice Hockey Gear - The 13 Pieces of Equipment You Can't Live Without

So, you want to play hockey (or your son or daughter does), but you're not sure where to start. The first step is going to be purchasing ice hockey gear. This article goes over the basic ice hockey equipment requirements needed to get on the ice.

1. 
   Hockey Skates: Skating is the foundation for the game of hockey. If you can't skate, you can't play the game. So, it's important to get the best skates you can afford. Make sure to have them properly sharpened before you take the ice. You can buy skates new or used. Either is fine. Just keep in mind that you'll want to buy skates that are about one size smaller than your shoe size.


2. 
   Shin Guards or Shin Pads: There are two standard types of shin guards. One that has a strap that goes around your leg and velcroes onto the other side of the pad. Or, the type that has no strap and requires you to use hockey tape to get it to stay secured on your leg. It's a matter of preference. These are fine either new or used.


3. 
   Hockey Pants or Breezers: These are a pretty basic item. The better lines have good support for the tailbone and thighs. These are fine either new or used. Some of the styles will have suspenders to hold the pants up, others will have a tie at the waist to secure them. It's just a matter of what you like.


4. 
   Chest Protector or Shoulder Pads: For young kids (Mites through Squirts), mid-range shoulder pads are fine. But, once you are at a level that allows body checking, you're going to want pads with a lot of support at the shoulders and chest. This isn't an item you want to skimp on. Purchase the highest quality pads you can afford. New or used are both fine. Just check the integrity of the shoulder and chest areas on any used pads you are considering.


5. 
   Hockey Jock (shorts with built-in jock): This is pretty self-explanatory. There are actually two types of jocks available for hockey. The old school type (when that was all they had) and the new type of hockey shorts with the built-in slot for the jock to slip in. This is a matter of preference. Obviously, you're going to want to buy this item new.


6. 
   Mouth Guard (to protect your brain): A lot of people think the mouth guard is just to protect your teeth. While it does provide protection for the teeth, the main function of the mouth guard is to prevent a jarring hit to your brain. Never skimp on the mouth guard. Get a Shock Doctor, or have your dentist recommend a good orthodontist who can have one custom made for you.


7. 
   Neck Guard (optional with most associations): While this is an optional item in most leagues, the neck guard is becoming more and more popular as they keep replaying the NHL accident that shows what can happen when you take a skate to the throat. It's frightening enough to cause even the hardcore old-school hockey player to reconsider donning a neck guard.


8. 
   Elbow Pads: While the kids are young, mid-range elbow pads are fine. But, as they move into Peewee hockey (and above) you're going to want to put them in a quality pair of elbow pads. Make sure they are large enough to cover the entire elbow, as well as a portion of the forearm. These are fine to purchase new or used.


9. 
   Hockey Helmet: This is the one item I don't recommend purchasing used. Helmets take a lot of abuse in the upper levels of play and you never know how many hits a helmet has taken. So, always buy this item new. You can never pay too close of attention to protecting your head.


10. 
    Hockey Gloves: The hockey glove should feel like a large pair of winter gloves (a bit loose). The palm will be made of soft leather and the fingers will be a bit stiffer. These are fine to buy either new or used, however, make sure the palms are not worn through (which happens frequently with most players). Otherwise, you may get sent off the ice by the ref until you get it repaired.


11. 
    Hockey Stick: This is a piece of equipment that dozens of articles could be devoted to. There is a wood stick, a composite stick, and a two-piece stick. Those who love each type are loyal to their sticks. If you're just starting out, go with a wooden stick. It's less expensive and will get you in the game without a big cash layout. Also, for kids, there is virtually no benefit to an expensive graphite or composite stick. They don't have the physical strength to even utilize them correctly yet. If you have a left-handed player and aren't sure which way they'll shoot -- go with a straight blade. Within a short time you'll see which way they naturally shoot. It isn't unusually for lefties to shoot right (or visa versa).


12. 
    Hockey Jersey (usually provided by the team): This is an item you probably won't have to worry about. Teams typically provide the jerseys (although you'll have to pay for them).


13. 
    Hockey Socks (also usually provided by the team: Again, another item your team will provide to you at a charge. To keep your skates in good condition, always put your socks on before your skates. You would think people would instinctively know that, but they don't. Every season I see kids with their socks shredded by skate blades.

The above is just basic ice hockey equipment information to get you started. Hockey is the greatest sport in the world and it brings families together like no sport I've ever seen. My son starts his ninth year of travel hockey this season and it's never lost its charm to us.

Top 10 Exercises Without Weights

If you hate to go to the gym, you are not alone. The good news is - you can get results in the comfort of your own home with some simple home exercises.

Bodyweight training CAN be effective. It CAN be a substitute for weights, if necessary. Training using your own body weight as a source of resistance is a time tested technique to get results fast.

Here are the ten best bodyweight training exercises that give you great workouts and great results - without the gym.

1. Supine Pull-Ups (works major muscles in back, shoulders, and biceps) Use two chairs and a pole - a heavy broom handle works well. WARNING: make sure the chairs are stable and that the broom handle is strong enough to take your weight. You could be SEVERELY injured if the pole were to break or the chairs to slip. Lie on your back underneath a low bar. Grab the bar with a wide overhand grip. Pull up. Lower and repeat for 6-8 reps.

2. Supine Biceps Pull-Ups (biceps, some back) Use the same chairs-and-pole arrangement from #1. Sit underneath a low bar. Grab the bar with a reverse grip (palms facing you), hands about shoulder-width apart. Keeping your body upright, pull up until your chin just clears the bar. Focus on the tension in your biceps, trying to relax the rest of your body. 6-8 reps.

3. Push-Ups (chest, triceps, shoulders) The key when targeting the chest with Push-Ups is the direction in which your elbows travel. As with bench presses, the elbows must move AWAY FROM THE BODY to target your chest, and be kept CLOSE TO THE BODY to target the triceps. Place each hand just outside your shoulders, slightly behind the line of your shoulders. Hands pointing straight ahead, upper body rigid as a board. 6-15 reps.

4. Tent Push-Ups (primarily upper chest) Assume the position in #3, but walk your feet forward so your body is bent at the waist, and your hips are up high in the air. Bending at the elbows, lower yourself until your nose touches the floor. Push up. Repeat. 6-8 reps.

5. Push-Ups, Triceps Position (you guessed it - triceps, and some chest) Begin with fingers facing forward in position from #3, hands slightly LESS than shoulder width apart. Lower your body to the floor keeping arms in against your body. Push up. 6-8 reps.

6. Triceps Dips With Chairs With your hands behind your back, support yourself on your palms at the edge of a chair. Your hands should be touching; your elbows should angle outward. Dipping in this position relieves a lot of stress on the elbow and shoulder joints. Lower yourself, keeping your back close to the chair. Bend your elbows back and slightly to the sides. Keep your body angled slightly forward throughout the motion. Press yourself up until your arms are straight. 6-15 reps.

7. One-Legged Squats (front thighs, glutes, hamstrings) Stand perpendicular to a wall, about arm's length away from it. Extend your arm out to the side and place your palm against the wall at just under shoulder-height. Angle the foot farthest from the wall at 45 degrees. Bend the other leg back. Keeping your body upright, lower yourself until the non-weight-bearing knee is close to (but not touching) the ground. Support yourself by leaning against the wall. Press yourself back up to starting position. Repeat 6-8 reps.

8. One-Legged Hamstring Bridges Lie on your back with one leg extended, heel on the ground. Hold the other leg up off the floor. Pushing through your heel, flex your hamstrings to lift your body. Lower and repeat for 8-10 reps. Repeat with other leg. You can control the resistance and the degree to which the glutes contribute by changing the distance you place your heel relative to your butt.

9. Lunges Begin the lunge by taking a large step forward, keeping your head up and torso erect. Lower your hips and allow your trailing knee to drop to a point just before it touches the floor - never let the knee touch the floor. To return to the start, push off with your forward leg and then step back when the knee is completely straight. Repeat with other leg, 10-15 reps each leg.

10. Stair Running Stair running isn't usually considered a resistance exercise, and in fact, it makes hefty demands on your cardiovascular system. However, it also does an incredible job of conditioning the lower body. If your knees are in good shape, try doing 10-20 one-story sprints, preferably two stairs at a time. As you get stronger, work up the number slowly, keep one hand on the stair rail to catch yourself if you lose your balance. Give yourself a bigger challenge by wearing a backpack filled with nice and heavy books.