Getting yourself fit and ready for a skiing trip is key to ensuring you make the most of your holiday. Not only will heading out to your ski resort strong and healthy protect you from injury, but it’ll also help ease those aches and pains that come from hours on the slopes.
And, that’s where we come in. Below you’ll find a range of skiing fitness tips that’ll help strengthen the muscles you’ll be using lots whilst on your skis. So, take a look and get ready for your trip…
Top skiing fitness tips
1. Try this workout in the weeks and months before your holiday. It incorporates interval training which mimics the action you do when you ski. Plus, it’ll get your heart rate used to raising and lowering just like it does on the slopes.
- Warm up on the cross trainer for five-ten minutes.
- Walking lunges with weights in either hand – Lunge forward holding equal weights in each hand, and ensuring the bending knee nearly touches the floor. Do this on alternate legs until you have completed 10 on each side – then repeat three times.
- Squats with forward raises – Find a circular weight, dumbbell or kettlebell that you will be comfortable lifting. Then squat down to a 90 degree position holding the weight in both hands. As you squat raise your arms to horizontal out in front of you. As you stand out of the squat, lower your arms back down. Repeat this 10 times, and then for three sets.
- StairMill or Stairmaster interval training – Head to the machine in the gym that looks like a staircase (you’ll know it when you see it!). Get started at a steady pace (level 7-10) for one minute. Then push yourself to a higher level, and therefore higher speed, for one minute. Repeat this five times, meaning you’ll have completed five minutes at a steady level, and five minutes at a ‘pushing-yourself’ speed.
- Single arm row – Find a flat bench and place a dumbbell either side. Place your right knee and hand onto the bench, ensuring your back is straight and parallel to the floor. Then pick up the weight with your left hand. Your starting position is when your left arm is out-stretched towards the floor. Pull up your arm to a 90 degree angle, thinking about pulling the elbow to the edge of your chest. Then release back down to your starting position. Repeat this 10-12 times on each your left side, then on your right side too – this is one complete set. Repeat each set three times.
2. Try classes like yoga and Pilates before you go away to keep nice and supple. You’ll be able to use the stretches you learn in the classes at the end of each day skiing. Some gentle stretching will ease any aches you may have, leaving you ready to go the next morning.
3. Increase your all-round fitness by trying out some group classes. Sessions like BODYPUMP™, BODYATTACK™ and BODYCOMBAT™ use a range of combination exercises that are ideal for skiers. These classes will give you a whole body workout, which is exactly what you’ll be doing whilst skiing.
4. Plus, there are plenty of workouts you can do with minimal equipment that’ll help work the muscles you’ll be using lots whilst on the slopes. The video below with blogger Em Sheldon, will give you some ideas. Watch the video here…
5. And, don’t forget if you’re a member of David Lloyd Clubs, you can make the most of a spa session after your preparation workout. After all, those aching muscles will be soothed by some relaxing time in the sauna, or whirlpool. Happy skiing!
