1. Pick Your Rhythm
Add music to your skating workout! Research has proven that you are likely to exercise longer if you are listening to music. Choose a tune that matches the rhythm and tempo of what you are doing on the ice. The music will help you to keep your pace. If you want to push yourself and work on speed drills, play upbeat music with a fast bass line. If you are in the mood to stretch and move slower while working on technique, play some relaxing classical music or jazz. Your music will help to guide your movements and make you feel more creative with your body on the ice.
2. Try Some Drills
Drills are a great way to strengthen your skating discipline. You should create specialized drill workouts that focus on particular skills and/or muscle sets.
To build strength and practice your edge work try "suicide" drills. Pick three lines on the ice at varying distances. Use these as stopping and starting points. Power start, sprint on your skates to the first line and then power stop aiming to end right on the line. Turn around and repeat this sequence to get back to your starting point. Then sprint back to the next line and repeat. Continue until you have touched each line twice.
To work on your speed practice sprint drills: Give yourself a time limit to get around the rink. The time limit should not give you more than 10 seconds rest at the end of your lap. Perform 3 sets of 5 to 10 laps, with a minute rest in between sets.
To improve the strength of a specific muscle group, perform a set of two or three exercises that work different muscles in the same area. For example, practice gliding, turning and landing while using one standing leg for all three. This will work out the different muscle groups around the quadriceps of that leg.
3. Ask a Pro
If you are interested in designing a skate workout, take at least one ice skating lesson. Explain to your teacher what kind of skating program you are interested in and ask the professional to develop some drills and moves that you can then practice solo. This is much the same principle as asking a professional trainer in a gym to device a workout that you can perform on your own once the pro teaches you the basics.
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