What is the best way to shape up for downhill skiing? (muscles, lift)
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I haven't downhill skied in 12 years and now a friend has invited me to go with her (probably in February). The only exercise I've been getting is walking and race walking twice a day (thanks to my cattle dog). My joints are old and my balance not great anymore. Suggestions on how to prepare for a ski trip?
If you were me, I would say that getting up off the chairlift is your biggest challenge. Practice getting up from low chairs. You can always take a quick refresher before you hit the slopes. I always did fine, going down, but my center of gravity was the challenge.
Strength training especially your lower body and core. Squats, lunges, wall sits, bridges, planks, all sorts of abdominal work. Flexibility and balance work too. Really stuff you should add to your routine anyway. My leg muscles take the brunt of the pain skiing, although I can go all day, every day for a week. I just take a steam shower after or sit in the hot tub. A refresher lesson is always a good idea too. And everyone wears a helmet now. Didn’t when I first started but we started back up with our kids about 7 years ago and everyone bought helmets.
1. strong quads.
2. strong triceps surae
3. strong core. all of it.
4. good balance. they have them balance training hemispheres at gyms. That would have been ideal for you to work out balance and good feet planting on a surface.
If you were me, I would say that getting up off the chairlift is your biggest challenge. Practice getting up from low chairs. You can always take a quick refresher before you hit the slopes. I always did fine, going down, but my center of gravity was the challenge.
Funny, I was thinking about that today. No idea what the chairs are like at the resort where I'm going. It was never a problem in Sun Valley,ID, on Baldy where the chairs would slow way down but at this smaller resort, it could be an issue--thanks!
this is an easy answer: YOGA. It builds strength, flexibility, stamina, and balance - those four things are the holy grail for me as far as fitness imo. I'll be heading out to the slopes very soon and the results of my yoga practice is the one thing that gives me confidence that I'll be able to do well. We shall soon see how it goes. I've never been this strong before even in my 20s.
TownAndCountry, mind if I ask what age range you fall into?
Last edited by settled00; 11-30-2018 at 10:19 PM..
I agree that yoga is a great idea. You want a strong core to maintain balance. I’d also recommend squats. Tons and tons of squats. You’re basically in a squat position the entire time you’re going downhill.
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