Should I be doing balance training?

A snowHead

Hi,

Fairly new to skiing (started this year), I was wondering if I should be be doing some form of balance training and if so what's good to do?

Currently in the Gym 3 times a week and do a lot of Olympic style lifting (no not cross fit) so squats, deadlifts, shoulder press, snatching and clean 'n' jerk is all taken care of (bench press is for posers). I have fairly good leg strength for my size. Doing all these lifts with good form keeps a fairly strong core too.

I've been thinking of ways of improving my skiing when not skiing and was thinking that balance could maybe be improved.

Any suggestions?

A snowHead

One-legged squats! In fact, all sorts of one legged stuff is good. Even stand-up sit-down onto a box is a bit tricky using just one leg.

The Bosu ball is your friend. Try doing all your basic bodyweight or dumbbell exercises, but while standing on an upturned Bosu. If you can do it on two legs, try it with just one.

Your core and leg strength will be fine with all of that lifting. Don't underestimate the balance skills you're already using on the olympic lifts. Fore-aft balance is crucial and left-right isn't easy either.

Power is more important than brute strength for skiing, but again, you should have that covered by the olympic lifts.

I reckon you're probably in excellent shape for skiing. In fact, I personally find that my fitness outstrips my skiing ability. It is rare for me to feel like it's my fitness holding me back.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Don't confine it to the gym. Whilst standing waiting for the kettle to boil, or on the phone, or waiting for a bus, stand on one leg. With your eyes closed if that's too easy. wink

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trampolining, skateboarding, wakeboarding, slacklining, mountain biking etc are what makes up the summertime of the best skiers and snowboarders that I know Smile

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Old people over 35 def benefit from balance exercising.

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@eddiethebus, if only they were as easy to fit into an evening after a full day at work as a gym session is...

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

+1 to all the above. A lot of other sports will improve balance and agility. Some obviously more than others.

One thing that your olympic lifting won't be helping is flexibility, so I'd look for something that helps out with that too.

If you want something you can do in the gym Pilates is (or at least can be) great for balance and flexibility, as well as much improved body awareness and control, which translates very well into skiing.

After all it is free

a lot of places do adult trampoline and gymnastics classes, much more fun than going to the gym and much better training for improving co-ordination.

Diving would be another good one.

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Everyone can do this one, when brushing teeth, close eyes, balance on one leg in correct skiing posture. 2 mins of training morning and evening.

@Little Martin,
My brother in law just recommended this to me at the weekend for knee and ankle strengthening. He recently hurt his ankle and has been told to do it by his physio. The eyes shut one is not as easy as it sounds.

You know it makes sense.

@Little Martin, I already use my 2 min toothbrushing time for 4 x 30 second calf stretches!

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

Try it after a few drinks for that added challenge Wink

A snowHead

A snowHead

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Try the old exercise bike or a real one if you have hills and gears. Then there are stair hops: two legs and then one. Good for both strength and balance.
If all else fails then try standing on your head. Great for when you catch an edge. Very Happy

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Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

After all it is free

Yes, fullenglish, a rather interesting statement.
And as an "Old-person-over-35", i would be interesting in the evidence to back it up . . . Puzzled

He's right.

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@PaulC1984, if you're around 30 your proprioception has already begun to deteriorate. Laughing

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You know it makes sense.

Get some bench pressing done you tart wink

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

Balance training will always pay dividends. I've found Pistol squats covers lots of areas for snow sports, but as you probably know, there are so many others out there.

And as someone else said, balance training with your eyes closed really ramps it up.

A snowHead

Just did an hour's Pilates class, with at least half an hour devoted to balance. Killer poses, but brilliantly effective - glutes, hamstrings, calves and abs all getting a major workout.

Ow.

A snowHead

@pigeondave, Over 60. Going to run a GS this season. Hope that standing on head not necessary either. Will let you know. Little Angel

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Well, i am most grateful to this thread - and pam w - for drawing my attention to "Balance Training".
Never heard of the concept before.
And certainly never thought it could be something that had any baring on me: over 60 but still very active.
Wrong.
Just do a Google search with balance training and reduction in falls, and you get a whole host of stuff.
With studies going right back to 1996!
I must thank my wife for starting me on Yoga (will now be less reluctanct rolling eyes

)
And maybe i should be looking at Tai Chi as well . . .
Good old Snowheads. Smile

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Balance is everything grasshopper. Doesn't matter how strong you are.
No balance = disaster. Unavoidable. Of course you can't have balance without strength as well.
You don't need formal classes for balance. Plenty of things you can do. Stand on a rock with one leg raised. Walk along a (low) fence or even road kerb. Rock hop. No shortage. Amongst other things I like to step hop on one leg as it builds up muscles and it is not that easy to do when you need to stay on the one leg, bottom to top.
Most skiers worth their salt will make it up as they go...gym or otherwise.
Sorry for the novel. Hope this helps. Cheers and see you on the bumps! Very Happy

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Should I be doing balance training?

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