Basically I've either been working all the hours or had an endless cold which I'm only just getting over. So I haven't been able to run or do much excercise lately. I'm going to La Plagne/Les Arc on the 11th of January and could do with getting the legs ready in the three weeks I have left!
Does anyone have tips or know of any good YouTube tutorials? I have a pretty physical job lumping wood about in a workshop. I've got reasonably good core strength (with a bit of padding thanks to the lack of exercise of late) but it'd be nice not to be coming home just at the point my pins stop aching.
Any advice would be very greatfully recieved.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Wall squats.
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?
@lynseyf, Great! Only watched about ten minutes so far but I can see there're parts I can use with the warm up/down for running. Think I'd need St John's on hand if I was going to attempt the whole thing!
@Mosha Marc, Pulled the Lycra on for the first time in nearly two months yesterday and my fitness has pretty much bottomed out. Just going to have push myself. Going out again in a bit. I'm trying little and often for the next week to get the (asthmatic) lungs back, then put in more distances every other day after that.
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Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
If your thighs ache it can often be because your weight is too far back, hanging on those quad muscles rather than stacked on your skeleton.
After all it is free
After all it is free
@pam w, Fingers crossed that's not the case I'm reasonably proficient these days although I do need to work on technique for deep powder and off piste as I tend to over compensate for my skis camber by sitting back. I'd love to be like the people doing graceful turns in those epic ski movies where as I actually look more like a startled ape on a jet ski.
I'd say my concern is more about fatigue through having missed out on a regular excercise regime for a couple of months. Went out for a quick run earlier and realised my lungs are going to need a good kick start too. Doh!
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3 weeks is really too short a time to make a material difference to your strength/fitness. Squats might help a bit.
Too late now but I find that a lot of cycling in the 6 months before is the best preparation.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
I reckon you can do a fair bit in 3 weeks, especially aerobically. Certainly better than giving it up as a lost cause.
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.
@Graham Warren, squats, Burpees, mountain climbers......and Insanity classes for core.
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
Thanks everyone for the replies. Three weeks of full on "training" through the festive period coming up! At least I know I'll be taking in enough calories! I used these exercises last couple of years - pre trip, as warm downs from running. The hopping transition squats near the end are a good idea.
http://youtube.com/v/WBSv_XW8dAw
I'll use some of the blender exercises with weights on the off-days when I pick the distances back up.
Let's just hope the winter pulls it's socks up now!
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Cycling. Good on the thighs and less chance of injury, unless you fall off!
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Running in the pool, you look a bit of a tool but it's great exercise!
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
The ultimate leg (and body) exercise............. Only two minutes a day, twice a day.
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?
I only run to get fit for skiing, starting about a month before the trip, my legs ache like hell for a few days after the first run less after the second and not at all after the 3rd or on the ski trip. Last season I was too busy to get out running so I did step ups onto a chair after work and I think that is what has knackered my knees, stick to running.
Hi @Graham Warren, Looks like you and I might be skiing the same patch of snow at the same time - I'm also off to La Plagne on the 11th Jan
Staying in Plagne Village.
Regarding the leg stuff - I damaged my knee a bit last year and while it didn't need surgery, I was told I need to build up the muscles around it for stability - since the summer I've been following a simple 5x5 strength routine which is leg heavy with Squats 3 times a week! I'm now easily squatting over my own weight and the difference is amazing - looking forward to the extra power on the slopes.
My knee is still a tiny bit twingey, but only when I've been still for a period of time, walk 10 metres and it's fine again. It's sooooo much better than it was.
My only advice, given three weeks won't make too much of a difference, is to not go crazy - you run the risk of injury and that would really wee wee on your cornflakes just before the trip.
Also mate - if you fancy a ski buddy, please let me know - the wife doesn't ski so I'll be pretty much on my own for the week.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@equinoxranch, thanks for that. Reckon I'll save that as a Christmas morning kick start especially for wor lass!
@AsterixTG, That'd be great. I'm staying in Les Coches. I'll pm you my number.
Thanks again to everyone for the advice.
The regime so far has been working late, driving my other half and 5 other family members down to Brighton yesterday and last minute shopping today. Does walking from Brighton to Hove count? I ate crisps and pizza as soon as I got back.
@Graham Warren, Awesome mate - look forward to it.
Btw - Crisps & Pizza are superfoods.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
I just started Kettlercise classes at my local council gym. Really good for the legs and a lot less boring than Bodypump. If you can find classes in your area the give them a go.
After all it is free
After all it is free
@Graham Warren
A votre service..............................
Here are more helpful leg strength and speed tips from THE Master Himself.........................
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Ski the Net with snowHeads
@Graham Warren, Get out into Northumberland and do some trail running along Hadrian's Wall - Great stress reliever and you'll have legs like tanks!!
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@Daleybou1234, Couldn't agree more!
Managed a run on the Brighton promenade at dawn! Took a little while to settle into a rhythm but was enjoyable for the first time in a while. Got a lot of Christmas cheer to run off tomorrow.
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.
@Graham Warren, How's the fitness thing coming on?
Mine has included lots of lifting drinks to my mouth with one hand. For balance I used the other hand to stuff my face with rubbish.
Exercise - yup, been watching lots of it on youtube and the telly.
I did think about going to the gym for a bit but decided to have a lie down until the feeling passed.
I've also very cleverly booked a 2hr private lesson on the 13th and the guy is going to crucify me!
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
HaHa!
Yes I've been keeping up the running and squats but have to admit it's been a bit lackluster. Crimbo is not the best time to suddenly try to get fit! I ran a marathon in the summer and the great north run in September so it's rather frustrating to now find it hard to do a couple of miles without getting out of breath.
Still, the legs feel strong and upper body's ok too so I'll be fine.
Got the skis out today half expecting to find a ton of rust but they look ok so I'll get them edge and waxed tomorrow and I'm good to go. Looking forward to getting my slide on at the weekend! Fingers crossed that next dump will happen Thursday/Friday too eh?
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Fingers, toes & testicles crossed for that dump to happen!
As long as the airport/roads are good for Sunday, I'll be very happy.
Everything is booked now, just need to pack. I've had nightmares with passport/visa issues but hopefully that's been resolved and sorted by today. That's a story for when we have a beer.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
@ Daleybou1234, A run across Steelrigg and craglough will do it for ya.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
@AsterixTG, Testicles crossed!?! Now my eyes are crossed!
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Get your old punk music collection out.
Pogo to failure.
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?
@AsterixTG, How many are signed up to the posse now?
Checked in online last night sitting in me ski boots! Couldn't help but think of you. I don't know how, but just before Christmas my missus had managed to convince me that I fly on the Saturday. Such was her conviction that I didn't double check. So a bit disappointed to see that it is the Sunday after all. Should have hung my SH calendar sooner. Though that means one more day for it to dump a shed load of snow.
Just caught myself writing this sentence..........I'm refusing to look at the webcams/weather reports now I'll check them Saturday and that's that. What will be will be..... Who am I kidding!?! Betcha I'm back on at lunchtime!
Dropped the skis off for servicing this morning. Starting to get the excitement jitters now.
Hope your passport/visa problems have been resolved!
Five so far but I have feeling that more will appear when we're there as I've noted that there's at least another three in the Les Arcs thread travelling this weekend.
Ha! I had my boots on for a bit last night as well.
We land around 8am on Sunday so will have to wait a few hours for the transfer at 10am - use it as an excuse to have a decent breakfast.
I'll hopefully get my kit sorted and grab a couple of hours in the afternoon if it's not too expensive - my main pass won't work until Monday.
My passport turned up yesterday. I nearly wept with relief! Madness that the success of a trip fundamentally booked last March came down to 2 working days - it could have all gone so wrong!
Are you getting the WhatsApp messages yet?
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Going back to the original question- IMHO strength without balance won't help your skiing that much. It will probably only help you to stay a little longer in an out of balance position.
One legged squats on a BOSU working up to a pistol squat (which I can't do) is my suggestion.
Bloody tough those - I can do about two on each leg and I'm proper done.
On a good day.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
I can only get part way down at the moment before falling over but even that has helped my skiing.
After all it is free
After all it is free
@DB, Thanks for that.
Initially I thought wtf is a Bosu? Then as he did the first squat I thought - F**k right off! Tried it next to a bench in the workshop and got up in what can only be described as an undignified feat of stubbornness. I know he's probably 20 years my junior, but he does it so casually!
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@Graham Warren,
As I said earlier I can't do pistol squats yet even on a flat floor (as opposed to a BOSU). To do them on a BOSU like the guy in the YouTube Clip you need balance, flexibility and strength. Can get dow to about 90 deg (bum level with knee) on a BOSU and since being able to do this have noticed that skiing is a lot easier.
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@DB,
I can see the benefits so I'll keep trying. I'm impressed at the 90deg on the bosu. Think I'll get one.
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