Cold weather and snow are not fun to deal with during the work week. Wearing extra layers of clothing means having to do extra loads of laundry. Having to run your automobile to warm up the engine adds time to your commute. Cold weather and snow are fun for those who enjoy winter sports like skiing and snowboarding. For the snowboarding and skiing enthusiasts, cold weather and snow mean fun and excitement! To them, there is no better feeling than taking to the trails. This article will give you some tips to keep your body ready for skiing.
If you are a serious skier, you have probably spent most of the off season in training to keep your body fit and ready for the winter season. Many people find that biking and running during the off season are great ways to keep their bodies in shape for the slopes. Still, fitness experts advocate adding some work into your routine that mimics what your body goes through as you fly down the mountains.
Cardio Workouts
To be in the best shape possible for skiing, you want to do everything you can to make sure that your cardiovascular system is as strong as possible to handle the workout it will get when you hit the slope. If you have access to trails you might try going for a trail run or doing some mountain biking. If you don’t, the treadmills and exercise bikes at the gym can simulate the environment for your muscles. Swimming is another great way to work your heart. Increase your cardiovascular exercise by ten percent every seven days so that your system will be ready for the adrenaline that will rush when you head down the mountain.
Strength Training
Skiing might look easy if you haven’t done it before, but it does take a lot of strength to make sure you stay on your feet. Strength training workouts are necessary to make sure your body is ready for skiing. Push ups, military presses, squats, lunges, plyometric jumps, squats and chin ups are all fantastic ways to build strength. Another fantastic strength builder is yoga. It works on strengthening your entire body while relaxing you at the same time!
Core Workouts
Training the “core” is what skiers do when they want to strengthen their torsos and “trunk” areas to help give them stronger foundations while they ski. Core training can take place in ten minute increments between three and five times a week. Working with the captain’s chair is a great way to complete your core training workout as are crunches and working with an exercise band or a cable machine. Your core is what is responsible for the strength and stability of the rest of your body”it needs to be trained!
