How I Used the Stryde.Hockey PowerSkater to Rebuild My Skating After Pregnancy
When I found out I was pregnant, I had no idea the journey ahead would be one of the most challenging times of my life. My pregnancy began with a subchorionic hemorrhage—a tear in the uterine wall. I was told to take it easy, hoping it would heal on its own. It was terrifying; as the bleeding progressed, the doctors warned me that I might miscarry. Thank you, Jesus, the hemorrhage reduced in size as the pregnancy went on.
From there, it seemed like one thing after another. Our house was a revolving door of sickness—seasonal flu, general colds, and a brutal case of hand, foot, and mouth. As if that wasn’t enough, I was diagnosed with a liver condition called ICP (intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy). I was closely monitored as I started showing early labor signs at just 30 weeks. Bo made his early debut on Valentine's Day, arriving at 35 weeks.
With all these challenges, my time on the ice was nearly non-existent. I barely skated, and when I did, I was just standing on my skates. I lost all the skating momentum I had built since having my last baby in 2020. My muscles weakened from disuse, I gained weight due to inactivity, and my mental state took a dark turn with horribly intrusive thoughts. After Bo was born, I was incredibly eager to return to the ice—my place of peace.
Before I could lace up my skates, I had to start somewhere. That’s when I reconnected with my friends at Stryde.Hockey during the Minnesota State High School hockey tournament. I got back on the PowerSkater for the first time at the expo, and it was like I could feel my stride coming back to me, even with the lingering effects of postpartum and healing from a C-section. I knew right then that the PowerSkater would be my tool for recovery.
I began my postpartum training with a focus on reconnecting my mind to muscles, starting with simple stride work. I paid close attention to my deep core, working to heal diastasis recti. Next, I focused on strengthening my weak quads and glutes through endurance strides—staying low and maintaining a long, deep stride for extended periods. As I progressed, I incorporated conditioning skates to add cardio to my regimen, all while maintaining sound form.
Seriously, if you or someone you know has been kept off the ice due to injury, medical reasons, or just by choice, and is looking to regain strength, I cannot recommend the Stryde.Hockey PowerSkater enough. When I finally returned to the ice, it was as if I had never left. Sure, I was still heavier with the baby weight, and I had to readjust my balance and body awareness to my new body, but my strength, skating stamina, foundation, and skills came right back.
The PowerSkater helped me rebuild not only my physical strength but also my confidence. It was the perfect tool to ease back into the intensity of skating while allowing me to maintain the right form and mechanics. Now, I feel stronger and more connected to my skating than ever before!