Ski Fitness

Ski and Snowboarding Fitness

If you want to reach your full potential on the slopes then a programme of excersise is helpful especially if you are not used to exersise in general. You should aim to train at least 2-3 times a week. There is some evidence to suggest that over- streching before you begin a workout is detrimental to muscles and can do more harm then good. It is suggested that a gentle jog will warm the muscles and bring your heatbeat up. Warming down is important but as with warming up - you should not reach the point where you over stretch and experience trembling and/or pain.

If you are already a member of a private gym (but perhaps don't go!) you could sign up to the special pre-ski programmes they often hold. They generaly continue for a few weeks and isolate the areas that need working on with particular excersises and equipment.

Fitness excersise in preparation for skiing and snowboarding should cover all the major muscle groups in the upper and lower body.

Your maximum heart rate can be calculated by 220 - your age. For example, if you were 40, your maximum heart rate would be 180 b.p.m. therefore your training heart rate would be 126 b.p.m.

Pre ski exercise

Swimming, running, cycling or rowing are good excersises to do to build your ability to increase and then decrease your activity levels as you do when skiing.

An ideal leg muscle strengthtening excersise are single-leg balancing and single-leg squats, also ideal for knee joint stabilising.

Leg lunges increase strength but technique is the key here as the pressure put on the knees during the excersise if done incorrectly will do more harm then good.

Press-ups and tricep dips are great for improving upper body strength.

Abdominal muscles will strenghen and improve through a course of pilates and yoga will improve balance.