| For the best time out there on the snow you | | | | body workout so that you can prime your entire |
| should begin your ski fitness program at least a | | | | body while focussing on your legs. |
| month before you hit the ski slopes. This will give | | | | 2. Upper body circuit |
| you enough time to work out your entire body, | | | | These are meant primarily for your upper body |
| and also focus on more specific body parts that | | | | strength. They will strengthen your upper body |
| are used for skiing. | | | | muscles so that swivelling is easier and you are |
| You will be looking to develop muscular strength | | | | less prone to injury. You will also strengthen your |
| as well as endurance, especially in the leg muscles. | | | | arms which you will need a lot of strength as you |
| You will also be working on flexibility because as | | | | ski. The workouts for your upper body can be |
| you ski you will be moving your body in different | | | | achieved through: |
| directions as you pull off curves on snowy slopes. | | | | Press-ups |
| You need to focus on 3 main areas to develop | | | | Dumbbell exercises |
| core strength: | | | | Barbell exercises |
| 1. Aerobic Training | | | | 3. Abdominal circuit |
| This is basically training your muscles to go for | | | | Your abdominal muscles play a big part in your |
| longer without getting tired. Fatigue can be | | | | skiing. You will be swivelling a lot, and if they are |
| dangerous while skiing; you lose concentration and | | | | not well conditioned, they can easily pull and leave |
| you may end up falling and getting injured. | | | | you sore. As you push off and keep pushing for |
| Aerobic training exercises for the lower body are | | | | momentum, they work together with your arm |
| many and varied, but here are some that will | | | | muscles and the thrust of your leg muscles to |
| definitely prime your muscles: | | | | get keep you going. You must exercise them - it's |
| Seated leg extension machine quads to | | | | a perfect chance to get yourself a flat tummy |
| develop leg strength. | | | | too. You can do the following for a full abdominal |
| Using a calf machine. These are found in | | | | circuit: |
| most gyms and they will build calf strength. | | | | Your normal sit-ups. |
| Using a Cable adductor and abductor pulls to | | | | Do sit-ups while alternating elbow and knee |
| build Inner and Outer Thighs. | | | | Do sit-ups with legs raised at an angle |
| Leg press quadriceps which are great for leg | | | | Get a hoola-hoop and get playing - you will be |
| strength. | | | | relaxing and priming all the middle body muscles. |
| Using a hamstring curl machine to flex your | | | | It may seem like a lot, but if you have a fitness |
| hamstrings. | | | | trainer, explain your needs and they will be able to |
| Using a hip flexor cable to build and | | | | arrange all this so that you can achieve all the 3 |
| strengthen the full leg. | | | | exercises in each exercise session. Soon, you'll |
| Using lunges for a full lower body workout. | | | | have that core strength that will leave everyone |
| These should be done in the same cycle as a full | | | | at the ski slope wondering what your secret is. |