I'm heading out to the Three Valleys in a few days and I'm intending on really working on my upper and lower body separation. I have a 3 hour private lesson booked for day 1, but is there anything I can be trying at home before I arrive to try and develop some muscle memory?
Cheers in advance.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Belly dancing! Or that Lord of the Dance stuff.
In all seriousness, core strength and flexibility will help you to control the separation.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
A friend of mine tried belly dancing for the first time last week (there's a troupe in our village). She said coordinating the feet and the belly was seriously difficult - I bet it's really good for you. Her muscles ached the next day from holding arms up for so long. I'd like to try it sometime.
Personally my calves feel the first few days the most - I negate this by standing on my toes right on the edge of a step/stair and then lowering my heels as far down as they will go and holding that position for as long as possible. Feeeeel the burrrrrrrn!
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@Designer156, you could try a chainsaw, but that might be messy.
@Designer156, an exercise I do for this is to lie on my back, hands behind head, pull knees up till pointing at the ceiling, then roll knees from side to side while keeping head and shoulders reasonably still. Legs may roll far enough to touch the floor each side.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
balernoStu, important to keep your rib cage completely still and not arch your spine (so, suck your belly button into the floor) during that particular exercise, otherwise you're not engaging all the necessary core muscles.
After all it is free
After all it is free
@Zero_G, yes indeed! I did wonder about adding a bit about activating the TAs but I'm no personal trainer, just something I find works for myself. So thanks for making that clear.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
@Designer156, sleeping with your partners sibling will give you instant separation.
Joking aside, not too much you can do so near to your trip. Don't forget to warm up properly before you ski, and warm down after. Good luck.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@Designer156,
Where are you trying to get seperation some of the exercises above will strengthen your core but will not help with separation.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Telling my wife she looked like George Doors in her onesie almost did it for me.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
@Designer156, something like this would help with separation and fitness at the same time.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Quote:
Telling my wife she looked like George Doors in her onesie almost did it for me
Most people look absolute shocking in a onesie. My skinny, athletic, 11 year old grand-daughter looks better in just about anything else. She looks lovely in her pretty pyjamas and stunning in her gym kit. But a complete mess in a onesie.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@under a new name, pretty impressive that. While watching I'm half expecting to see an Iron Cross 360 thrown in to complete the simulation
Thanks for all the input guys. Will defo give @balernoStu's suggestion a go.
Essentially, I know I can help improve things through squats and lunges etc, not forgetting some core stabilisation exercises, but after watching videos, the idea of keeping the upper body facing down the hill whilst flexing and turning the lower body to turn and control speed looked like more of a co-ordination/muscle memory challenge. A skill that needs to be practiced. Almost like dancing (thanks for the belly-dancing suggestions).
Also wondered if something like this would be advantageous:
skimottaret, that's pretty impressive! I use a skateboard deck on a hard foam roller... I definitely wouldn't be able to juggle at the same time
Designer156, anything that forces you to work to maintain your balance (which requires working core muscles) will help. A strong core means good balance as well as control over separation. Something that only allows you to rotate is missing out on the pitch and yaw type movements you would need to make while skiing and still maintain the separation. So, if that Everlast device is one of those rotation devices, I don't think it's enough. If it also has a convex base, so forcing you to maintain balance, then go for it.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
@Zero_G, It was after a few beers mind
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@skimottaret, you've set a challenge there! I've a home made balance board in the shed somewhere , more accurately a plank of wood and length of 6" pipe.
@Designer156, just don't hurt yourself before going skiing !
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@balernoStu, I did just about broke a hip trying to jump and land a 180 on it, came so close but when it goes wrong it goes very wrong... Was on a weather day when we got blown off the hill and we were all bored... give it a go, its not too hard
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
I've often wondered whether speed skating would help. I've done a bit but on inlines rather than ice. Not sure I got down that low though.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
I've been at the bouldering wall twice a week for the last month or so and noticed my core strength greatly improved.
@Designer156, not enough time for your impending ski trip but another thing to try for next year possibly... along with the balance board, twisting and speed skating!
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
some of the exercises above will strengthen your core but will not help with separation.
Most people look absolute shocking in a onesie. My skinny, athletic, 11 year old grand-daughter looks better in just about anything else. She looks lovely in her pretty pyjamas and stunning in her gym kit. But a complete mess in a onesie. 
