The ice beneath Jordan Stolz’s skates cuts like glass as he rockets around the oval at Milwaukee’s Pettit National Ice Center. At just 20 years old, the American speed skating phenomenon moves with a fluidity that seems to defy physics—his powerful legs driving him forward while his breathing remains eerily controlled. Behind the boards, his longtime coach Ryan Shimabukuro watches intently, knowing that what looks effortless to spectators is actually the result of years perfecting a unique training formula.
Stolz has already shattered multiple world records and claimed World Championship titles, becoming the youngest American to win a World Cup overall title. But according to Shimabukuro, the secret to Jordan’s dominance isn’t just natural talent—it’s a carefully crafted combination of explosive leg power, extraordinary lung capacity, and mental composure that few athletes ever master.
“Jordan’s body is built differently,” Shimabukuro explains after practice. “But more importantly, his mind processes speed and pressure in ways that give him an edge when it matters most.”
The Foundation: Building Explosive Leg Power
Speed skating demands leg strength that goes far beyond what most people can imagine. Jordan Stolz’s training regimen focuses heavily on developing the specific muscle groups that generate his incredible acceleration and top-end speed.
According to research published in the Journal of Sports Sciences, elite speed skaters generate forces up to 1,000 watts during race starts. Stolz’s power output regularly exceeds these numbers, thanks to a training approach that combines traditional weightlifting with skating-specific movements.
Shimabukuro’s power development program for Stolz includes exercises that target the glutes, quadriceps, and hip flexors simultaneously. The training mirrors the lateral push-off motion that defines speed skating technique. Single-leg squats, lateral lunges, and plyometric jumps form the foundation of this approach.
Professional trainer Gunnar Peterson, who has worked with numerous Olympic athletes, emphasizes that speed skating power comes from the ability to generate force at unusual angles. “It’s not just about being strong—it’s about being strong in positions that most sports never require,” Peterson notes in a recent interview with Men’s Health magazine.
Stolz’s weekly strength training typically includes:
- Bulgarian split squats with weighted vests (4 sets of 12 per leg)
- Lateral bound progressions across 40-meter distances
- Single-leg deadlifts with rotational components
- Plyometric box jumps emphasizing lateral movement
- Hip thrust variations targeting glute activation
- Nordic hamstring curls for eccentric strength
- Core stabilization work with anti-rotation emphasis
The results speak for themselves. Stolz can single-leg squat nearly his body weight while maintaining perfect form—a feat that demonstrates the unilateral strength essential for speed skating success.
Breathing Like a Machine: The Lung Capacity Advantage
While leg power gets the attention, Jordan Stolz’s respiratory system might be his greatest asset. Speed skating races can last anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes, demanding both anaerobic power and aerobic efficiency.
A 2024 study from the International Journal of Sports Physiology found that elite speed skaters have lung capacities 20-30% larger than average adults. Stolz’s measured VO2 max—the maximum amount of oxygen his body can utilize—sits at an extraordinary 65 ml/kg/min, rivaling the numbers posted by elite marathon runners.
Shimabukuro credits specific breathing techniques borrowed from swimming and cycling for developing this capacity. The training involves controlled breathing patterns during high-intensity intervals, teaching Stolz’s body to extract maximum oxygen even when operating at near-maximum heart rates.
Tracy Anderson, the celebrity trainer known for her work with Gwyneth Paltrow and other A-listers, has incorporated similar breathing protocols into her fitness programs. “Breath control under stress separates good athletes from great ones,” Anderson told Shape magazine in a recent feature on respiratory training.
Stolz practices what Shimabukuro calls “competitive breathing”—maintaining steady, controlled inhalation and exhalation patterns while his legs pump at race pace. This technique prevents the shallow, panicked breathing that can derail performance when lactic acid begins flooding the muscles.
The Mental Game: Staying Calm in Chaos
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Jordan Stolz’s racing is his apparent calmness under pressure. While competitors show visible tension and anxiety, Stolz maintains an almost zen-like composure that translates directly into performance advantages.
According to sports psychology research, mental stress can reduce athletic performance by up to 15% through increased muscle tension and disrupted coordination. Stolz has developed mental training techniques that actually help him relax as the pressure increases.
Shimabukuro works with Stolz on visualization exercises borrowed from meditation practices popularized by apps like Headspace and Calm. These sessions involve mentally rehearsing races while maintaining controlled breathing and relaxed muscle tension.
The mental training extends beyond race preparation. Stolz practices what psychologists call “pressure exposure”—deliberately training in high-stress situations that simulate competition conditions. This might mean practicing starts while coaches create artificial distractions or skating time trials with championship-level consequences.
Professional athletes like Serena Williams and Tom Brady have long emphasized mental training as crucial for peak performance. According to a feature in Vogue, Williams credits meditation and mental rehearsal for helping her maintain focus during crucial points in tennis matches.
Putting It All Together: The Stolz Training Philosophy
The integration of power, breathing, and mental training creates what Shimabukuro calls “effortless speed”—the ability to skate at maximum velocity while appearing relaxed and controlled.
A typical training week for Stolz balances these three elements carefully. Monday might focus primarily on power development with heavy strength training. Tuesday could emphasize respiratory conditioning through interval work. Wednesday might center on mental training combined with technical skating practice.
The approach differs significantly from traditional speed skating programs that emphasized pure volume and time on ice. Instead, Stolz’s training prioritizes quality over quantity, with each session targeting specific adaptations that contribute to race performance.
| Training Component | Weekly Focus | Key Metrics |
|---|---|---|
| Leg Power Development | 3-4 sessions | 1000+ watt power output |
| Respiratory Training | 2-3 sessions | 65+ ml/kg/min VO2 max |
| Mental Conditioning | Daily practice | Reduced stress response |
| Technical Skating | 5-6 sessions | World record pace maintenance |
According to recent coverage in ESPN, this integrated approach has influenced training methods across multiple sports. Coaches in cycling, running, and even team sports have begun incorporating similar combinations of physical and mental preparation.
The success speaks for itself. Stolz continues setting world records while making the sport look effortless—a combination that suggests his unique training methods will influence speed skating for generations to come.
His story reminds us that athletic excellence rarely comes from a single factor. Instead, it emerges from the patient development of multiple capabilities that eventually combine into something extraordinary. For Jordan Stolz, that combination of power, breathing, and mental calm has created a speed skating approach that redefines what’s possible on ice.
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How much time does Jordan Stolz spend training each day?
Jordan Stolz typically trains 4-6 hours daily, split between on-ice sessions, strength training, and recovery work. His schedule varies by season, with higher volumes during preparation phases and more focused intensity closer to competitions.
What makes speed skating training different from other sports?
Speed skating requires unique lateral power development and the ability to maintain aerobic efficiency in an awkward skating position. The sport demands both explosive starts and sustained speed maintenance, creating training challenges unlike running or cycling.
Can recreational athletes use Jordan Stolz’s training methods?
Many elements of Stolz’s training translate well to general fitness, particularly the breathing techniques and single-leg strength exercises. However, the skating-specific movements and training volumes require modification for non-competitive athletes.
How important is mental training for speed skating success?
Mental training accounts for a significant portion of elite speed skating performance. The ability to maintain technique and decision-making while experiencing high levels of physical stress often determines race outcomes at the highest levels.
