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Stay in Ski Shape Year-Round! You never know what you’ll run into!

It’s snowing out west. Some places in the Rockies and some other mountain ranges have already gotten a foot of snow. It’s almost time! Our destinations are selected and if our equipment is good to go, what’s next? Oh yes… Ourselves. Those ski bodies need to be able to handle the demands we will make of them to do what we love most. To ski!

Here’s a few things to do to begin our training:

Strength is very important especially in the legs. Squats, lunges and leg deadlifts target the muscles that are used for turning and stability. Next a strong core helps provide stability while skiing. Holding a plank position for extended periods will increase core strength and upright stability. Plyometrics like lateral ski jumps, tuck jumps and lunge jumps will develop explosive power for quick movements. This is very useful to avoid obstacles like trees or other skiers. Cardiovascular fitness improves stamina to lengthen your day on the mountain. This can be accomplished by running, cycling or rowing. Or just take a walk a few times a week. Also, a class of high intensity interval training can be money well spent to make you feel stronger and ready to face anything that the mountain can present you. And lastly, balance is crucial for navigating uneven terrain and maintaining control. Simply standing on one foot for increasing periods of time can be an easy way to develop more balance. Yoga helps too.

If you want a more detailed program or info on how to do each exercise and how much to do, look on YouTube. There are specific programs to target the specific area or results you want to achieve.

When you begin your exercise program start slowly and work up to the amount of time and number of reps you want to do. Specific amounts of time and reps depend on your level of fitness and the goals you want to reach. Doing only 2-4 sessions per week in the 8-12 weeks before the ski season can produce some pretty amazing results. It also goes without saying that proper nutrition supports your training and will help you to see consistent results.

Quite simply the easiest way get or stay in shape is just to MOVE. Cause you never know what you’ll run into! Take the stairs or walk that extra distance. Fitness is lifelong. And it’s important to maintain all year long and not just for ski season. So happy fitness! Be ready when the mountains are snowy and ready for us.

Happy Skiing! Skimeister, Jackie