If you are going to hit the beautiful slopes of Park City this season, you are going to need to get in shape! Skiing is a fiercely physical sport, which requires the use of almost all of the muscles in your body.
Nothing is worse than going skiing and finding that you are so sore you are unable to walk the next day! The time to prepare is now.
Expert level skiing is more demanding on the knees, thighs, hips, abdomen, and back so preseason preparation is the norm. In short, you need to be strong to handle the rigors of expert skiing.
They suggest to begin your fitness program at least two months prior to your first day on the slopes and that your fitness routine should include ski stretches to improve your flexibility y and mobility, ski exercises to build muscle strength in the legs and core, and jumping exercises to enhance your power and foot speed. First you need to begin with some strength training.
Don't underestimate the power of strength training to improve your skiing ability. Strong quads, hamstrings, and glutes are essential for the sport.
The more you work them before you hit the mountain, the more runs you'll be able to make and the less pain you'll be in the next day. Don't forget to work your abs, too.
Next, you need to do cardio training. A good choice for pre-season cardio training is stationary, road, or mountain biking.
Cycling offers excellent cardio conditioning while giving your leg muscles a great workout. Walking or running hills is also beneficial.
Another thing that skiing requires is agility. You will want to hone your agility before attempting to navigate the mountain.
A good way to work on this is to step from side to side in a semi-squat position. Work your way up to jumping from side to side in a semi-squat.
Another thing you need to work on is your speed. If you want to be faster than you were last year, be sure to incorporate speed work into your pre-season routine.
An easy way to do this is to find a long set of stairs (a stadium is perfect) and run up and down, driving your knees high up into the air as you ascend. This will help you to get that speed up for the slopes.
Flexibility is another aspect of your training which is important. Yes, stretching an flexibility can improve your skiing.
Be sure to thoroughly stretch your muscles, especially those in your legs, before and after every workout. Don't forget to work on your balance.
Work on your balance after you've done all of the above, because you'll need this skill to be honed even when you're fatigued. You're most vulnerable to injury at the end of the day because you're not skiing as strong as you were in the morning.
Balance plays a key role here in keeping you safe. A good balance-improving exercise is to stand on one leg with your knee bent and your arms tight against your sides.
Balance for 10-30 seconds, bend your knee a little more and hold for 10-30 more seconds. Repeat on each leg several times.
To make it more challenging, stand on a pillow and close your eyes. Spend 5 minutes stretching lower body muscles such as your calves, hamstrings, and quads.
Back and chest muscle stretching is also a good idea. After stretching, work on strength training to prevent sore muscles after skiing.
Make sure that you work on your stretching. To stretch your hamstrings, lie on your back keeping legs flat on the floor.
Keep stomach tight, small of back pressed on the floor and shoulders relaxed. Place a towel or yoga strap under one foot and slowly raise your leg keeping knee straight as high as comfortably possible.
You can also bring your leg across mid-line to stretch the outer leg and buttock. Hold each stretch 20-30 seconds, repeat 2-3 times.
Considering that all the experts agree that 2 months is the minimum amount of time to start preparing for the ski season, this month is the perfect time to start. Get out there and hit the gym, so you can get out there and hit the slopes!
Author Resource:-
Tom Selwick is a resident of Utah and has written hundreds of articles relating to tourism and Park City homes. He has been involved in local travel and tourism for over 20 years.
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