Top Exercises To Get You Ready For The Ski Slopes
It is never too early or too late to start thinking about getting in shape for ski season. By working on key areas in just minutes per day (either in the gym or at home), you will gain strength, and tone all the muscles needed for the best control of your skis or snowboard. Below are the top exercises to get you ready for the ski slopes.
One of the best exercises for conditioning the entire body is the ball squat. Begin by placing a small to medium sized exercise ball against a wall, holding it in place with the small of your back. Place your feet shoulder width apart, slightly in front of your body. Drop your body down until your legs and stomach are parallel. Keeping your stomach muscles tight, and your back straight. Hold the position for about two minutes, and then extend your body upward. Repeat two to three times. This exercise really tests those who have not kept up with their workouts in the off-season. To further enhance this exercise, consider adding a weighted medicine ball. Hold the medicine ball out in front of you while performing the above exercise with slightly bent elbows. This will add more resistance to the legs, making the quads even stronger.
Typical fixed lunges are also quite beneficial. This exercise strengthens quadriceps muscles, which play a huge role during ski season. Begin by taking a large step forward, while bending at the knees. Keep your body straight, and lower the back knee so that the front knee is bent, but do not touch the floor with the back knee. Repeat the process with the opposite leg, completing three to five reps on each side.
Finally, jumping rope is quite possibly the best form of exercise to get your body ready for the slopes. This activity tones several muscle groups, increases stamina, improves skeletal structure, and puts the body through a workout very similar to skiing. Start by doing as many reps of basic jump roping as you possibly can, setting a higher goal with each session. After basic jump roping, finish the workout with “jump rope hops”. This is done by laying the rope in a straight line on the ground, placing your feet tight together, and jumping from one side to the other of the rope and back again. Doing this for about thirty seconds provides a great imitation of skiing and will strengthen all the necessary muscles.
When it is time to finally hit the slopes you will be amazed at the difference in the level of power and control you have achieved.
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