Paralympic Gold Medalist Malik Jones Shares His Go-To Move

When Malik Jones hits the ice for sled hockey, he's not holding back. The 22-year-old Coloradan loves the physical intensity of his sport, where players collide along lower boards that don't give an inch.

Jones earned gold with Team USA at the 2022 Beijing Paralympics, competing under strict COVID protocols. This year's Games promise something he missed last time: cheering fans and the chance to celebrate with the parents and friends who made his journey possible.

His training splits into focused sessions for pulling, pushing, and core work. Pull days matter most because sled skating relies on that exact motion, and he gravitates toward T-bar rows to build that strength.

But Jones recommends one specific exercise for anyone wanting to build serious endurance: the SkiErg. The motion mirrors sled skating perfectly, making it ideal for building the stamina that keeps him competitive on the ice.

Why This Inspires

Jones proves that elite athletic training doesn't require complicated equipment or exclusive techniques. His go-to endurance builder sits in gyms across the country, accessible to anyone ready to put in the work.

The young athlete's approach shows how Paralympic sports demand the same dedication and physicality as their traditional counterparts. If anything, sled hockey players face even more intense contact because those lower boards never budge.

For those ready to match his intensity, Jones follows a brutal but effective 4x4 Norwegian interval method: four minutes at 85 to 95 percent of peak heart rate, followed by three minutes of active recovery, repeated four times. It's the kind of workout that builds champions.

Jones heads into this year's Paralympics with gold medal experience and a complete support system cheering him on.