Health Network News

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 serious about skiing, you have most likely spent a lot of time during the warmer months working out so that your body stays ready for skiing. Some skiers run and go cycling during the warmer months to keep their bodies healthy for skiing and snowboarding. While these are definitely great ways to stay in shape, health experts agree that working in skiing-like movements into your routine is a fantastic way to ensure that you are ready to strap on your skis and fly down the side of a mountain.

Cardio Training

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 Workouts

If you have never skied before it probably looks easy. The truth is that it takes quite a bit of strength. To get ready for the slopes you will want to do a strength training workout on a regular basis. Lunges, plyometric jumps, squats, chin ups, push ups and military presses are all great ways to build your strength. Yoga is another way to build up your muscle strength”and it can be very relaxing as well!

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!