Empowered Performance -for Life, Fitness & Competition

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Markham, ON
Empowered Performance -for Life, Fitness & Competition

🥌 Helping curlers move well, get fit & improve performance on & off the ice.

My focus is on Training for Health and Fitness, and Training for Performance-related Fitness

If you are interested, send me a message through this page, or an email at stephthompson.cpt@gmail.com

With my background in coaching, kinesiology, and CSEP I hope we can work together to achieve your health and fitness goals! Note: Available throughout York Region and the Peterborough area

Online and distance training also available

02/05/2026

When your feet get ahead of the rock, guess where your body weight is going… Into your feet!

It seems incredibly simple, but if you can learn how to do the heavy lean, it gives you a chance to work on both your position and the footwork.

In open, it’s a little bit more obvious how the feet are supposed to go in this running forward motion as you can see in the video. She also does a great job of not letting her feet leave the ice and taking big steps.

Do this once or twice and you’ll realize how much strength goes into being able to be in a really effective and efficient brushing position.

The heavy lean should not be easy if you’re doing it correctly. You should be a little out of breath at the end and feel the muscles in your upper body and core.

Give it a try and let me know how it goes

I walk you through three phases to master brushing in both open and closed in my brushing practice plan. Check it out in the link in my bio or send me a DM for more information.

And of course, virtual and in person, brushing and delivery lessons are available all season long

02/04/2026

Brushing posture matters.

Keep this in mind while doing your brushing planks, intervals and various upper body exercises.

Learn more about getting in an optimal brushing position and what to consider during your off ice training the Better Brushing Practice Plan or Strength Program -link in bio

02/02/2026

Got kicker leg pain? You could be initiating the power from your KNEE instead of from the hip. This exercise helps strengthen and efficiently coordinate the muscles down the back of the leg & into the foot.

Key cue: knee bends as hip goes back, and AFTER hip comes through your knee straightens & calf raises. TIMING means everything.

Try 2-3 sets of 5-10 reps at the speed I demonstrate above. I promise you’ll love/hate it 😈

02/01/2026

Practicing the HEAVY LEAN solves 2 main struggles:
• “getting your body more over the brush” (AKA using your feet to push your body over the brush)
• and mastering the footwork

The drill slows you down so you can troubleshoot:
•grip
•broom handle angle
•body angle
•footwork
•”feeling” the “right” muscles

BONUS: practice with the other hand down once in awhile to develop some symmetry

It’s best to try this during a practice, but it can also be done before a game after your practice slide, or even if you need a light “clean” during a game.

The Better Brushing Practice Plan goes into deeper detail about positioning, footwork, directional brushing and some off ice strength exercises.

02/01/2026

Every time you move your body looks for the path of least resistance. When you are moving well it means your movements are efficient (no wasted energy), and increases your chance of accuracy & power.

Virtual (& in person) Assessments are available now to help you customize & upgrade your on and off ice programs.

DM for details & let’s get you organized & ready to get fitter & stronger for next season 💪

01/31/2026

Looking to add more force during brushing with less effort?

When we focus on pushing DOWN with our upper body we tend to:
•shrug the shoulders & overuse the traps
•overuse the muscles at the elbows
•underuse the core & trunk muscles
•bend our knees thinking “lower is better”

When we switch the focus to pushing the body UP:
•we gain stability from the trunk, serratus & lats (in addition to the traps & other supporting muscles)
•it is easier to create a pull stroke with the big back muscles
•our push stroke force increases since less effort is involved
•there is more space available around the shoulder for proper scapulohumeral rhythm
•less pressure is put on the elbow to create force
•less pressure is put on the wrist/hand for stability

Give it a try off ice with a dryland brushing plank (see link in bio) & later on the ice

Share it with a teammate 👊

biomechanics kineticenergy coaching practice sweeping brushing

01/29/2026

Three ways to use directional brushing.

Master the first two.

Use the third when the moment’s right.

🎯 Better Brushing Practice Plan linked.

Shoutout to

01/28/2026

Goal: become stronger than the demands of curling

2 non-negotiable exercisable you want to master sweeping: single arm rows & incline press

Upgrade the first with a band to ensure you’re always applying a downward pressure & using your back

Upgrade the second by alternating to mimic closer to the demands of the sweeping position.

Do you have a fave? Have you tried these before? The offseason is coming 😈 BUT if you need training now be sure to check out the EP Lab for regular off ice training & on ice drills!!

01/27/2026

This one is for those looking for a new cue to help find balance & alignment in their delivery. Give the exercise a try at the end to support this delivery cue & let me know how it goes!

In person & virtual coaching is available —> send me a dm!

01/26/2026

I’m in love with this move as an exercise, warmup and “finisher”. The obvious challenge is in the moving leg but the real challenge is in keeping stable & aligned in the stance leg.

Let me know what you think of it 👇

01/21/2026

Prince William and Princess Catherine threw stones with Team Mouat and the other GBR Olympians-to-be

10/06/2025

It’s that time of year!!

Send me a DM to access FREE Back to Curling resources for you, your team & your club.

Newsletter subscribers will have already received the links.

From fitness, to warmups, brushing & technique tips to avoid injuries these resources have it all; for everyone from club to elite curlers alike!

Have a safe & happy start to your curling season 💕 🥌

Share with a teammate who needs this 👏

Address

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Markham, ON

Website

https://empoweredperformance.ca/eparmy/

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