Here are five simple exercises you can do at home to improve your stride length, hip mobility, and overall skating mechanics. These complement the video attached to this post. 1. Adductor Rock Back - Goal: Lengthen your stride How to do it: - Start on hands and knees - Extend one leg out to the side - Push hips straight back (don’t sit sideways) - Small, controlled range of motion - Reps: 8–10 per side × 2–3 sets 2. Couch Hip Flexor Rock - Goal: Open up tight hip flexors How to do it: - Back foot on a couch or bench - Stay tall, ribs stacked over hips - Rock your whole body forward and hold 2 seconds - Knee tracks straight ahead - Reps: 6–8 per side × 2–3 sets 3. Alternating Push-Up Pigeon - Goal: Improve external rotation for a longer push on the ice How to do it: - Start in a push-up position - Pull one leg forward into pigeon and sit into the hip - Return and alternate - Add a small reach across the body if needed - Reps: 10 per side × 2–3 sets 4. Supine Hip Internal Rotation - Goal: Better rotation mechanics through the stride How to do it: - Lie flat on your back, feet wider than hips - Drop one knee inward without letting the opposite hip move - Alternate sides - Reps: 8–10 per side × 2–3 sets 5. Seated 90/90 Rotations - Goal: Build hip strength and control How to do it: - Sit tall in a 90/90 position - Slowly rotate both legs to the opposite side - Stay as upright as possible - Reps: 6–8 per side × 2–3 sets If you do these consistently, you’ll improve how your hips move, how long you can stay on the ice with each push, and ultimately how fast you skate.