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How To Get Ready For Your Ski Trip

March 31, 2010 by Monica · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Exercise 

Before you get to the ski fields and put on your giro ski helmet, you should rewind and make some preparations to get your fitness and muscles in shape for the demands of skiing. Some ski preconditioning will make your winter season more enjoyable and reduce the chance of injury.

Skiing is a very physical sport and it involves a lot of muscle strength and control. If you hit the ski fields without having done much exercise and muscle strengthening prior to your trip, then you are putting yourself at increased risk of injury and accident.

The most difficult part of preconditioning your body for an excellent ski trip or season is getting started. You may have to be strict on yourself at first, but if you get into a routine with the exercise it will soon become a habit and you will easily stay on track.

By combining cardio exercise with a muscle workout routine, you will be in top shape when it’s time to head to the ski fields. Cardio fitness training will build your endurance so that you can get the maximum time on the piste and get the most out of each ski run. Cardio building activities include cycling, jogging, running, roller blading, dancing and jump rope.

You should start out doing cardio activities three times each week. Don’t overdo it; to start with you need to build up your fitness and gradually increase the distance you can cover or the amount of time you can keep going. If you push yourself too much at first you may injure yourself and it could put you off the process. Monitor your progress and stay motivated by using a black sport watch.

To get the strength you need to perform on the slopes, you should include muscle strengthening exercises in your preconditioning workout. Having more muscle strength at your disposal will lessen your chance of injury, allow you more control and improve your balance. Muscles for you to work on are calves, hamstrings, shoulders and back. As well as strengthening them through weights or weight-lifting exercises, you should also seek exercises to stretch them and make them more flexible.

If you plan your ski preconditioning and get into a routine with it, then you will be guaranteed a fantastic winter season free of sore, tight muscles and injury.