I am comtemplating some kind of fitness regime before I go skiing in January/February. I'm not joining a gym or owt so the program needs to be something I can do around the house (Running up and down stairs or so forth) or garden.
So can anyone of you damned fine experts give me some ideas as to what I can do to rectify my lack of strength/fitness thus ensuring a more enjoyable sliding experience.
By the way, I'm not a fan of physical exercise at all. If the routine recommended can still involve me holding a can and having a fag, it would be most appreciated.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
do some cardio, walk, run, cycle...that will build up your fitness
Try 10 x pressups, 10 x burpees, 10xsquats, 10xsquat jumps - repeat each 'circuit' 5 times - this will help with leg strength
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?
Thank you kitenski.
With the weather we are having at the moment, I don't much fancy the walking, running, cycling suggestions but I know I will have to do something sooner rather than later. Last couple of times I've been have been murder, particularly on the legs. Perhaps that is normal, even for someone who is much stronger and fitter than me.
Last couple of times I've been have been murder, particularly on the legs. Perhaps that is normal, even for someone who is much stronger and fitter than me.
It's fairly "normal" but absolutely not necessary. Apart from doing some strengthening exercises - always a good idea - the key to avoiding that "thigh burn" (if that's what you're having) is proper technique. If you stand properly and don't hang the entire weight of your body off those muscles, they'll be much happier. So invest in some good private lessons as well as some exercises.
It's hard to motivate yourself when it's such horrible weather outside. While you're watching TV, stand and flex your legs to strengthen your thigh muscles. Also try putting one leg out behind you and both hands in front, with your weight on your heels. This should work the top of your hamstring, which is good for skiing! Running up and down stairs is good for cardio. If you can do some core strengthening, sit ups and so on this would benefit lots. Your core is used massively in skiing. Anything is better than nothing, good luck!
If the routine recommended can still involve me holding a can and having a fag, it would be most appreciated.
I'm liking your style..
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
I discovered just this evening that skipping is a fantastic cardio workout that can obviously be done almost anywhere, with the added benefit of strengthening muscles somewhere in the leg (if only i could remember what the physio had said)
After all it is free
After all it is free
vandarle, Bit difficult to achieve without spilling your drink though
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
xspleetive, use your stairs for cardio, walk up/walk down 1 at a time, repeat 2 at a time, jog up/jog down, go up sideways to the right, then to the left, etc. Try and build up to 15 mins or so. Do this holding open can of beer for added core stability work.
For strength, alternate legs 1 day with core the next. For legs, do circuits of squats, lunges and hamstring exercise (eg lie on floor, heel of one foot on chair, raise hips off ground.) At the end of each circuit, balance on 1 leg with eyes shut for as long as poss, can include drinking &smoking for extra challenge. For core, do circuits of crunches/reverse crunches/bicycle crunches/back raises and add planks/side plank holds at the end of each circuit.
Then don't forget that hangovers are excellent simuation for altitude effects, so indulge fully in the knowledge you're preparing your body for the rigours of a ski hol
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Ski the Net with snowHeads
I love the image of someone standing on one leg with eyes closed, can of beer in one hand, fag hanging out of the mouth.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
pam w, I can't believe you haven't suggested adding the ironing into the mix...
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.
Nooooo - ironing is for beding in new boots, takes a while to get the board at the right height but once done away you go!
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
stop using lifts and walk up and down the stairs when shopping or at work etc.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
BillyJohnn wrote:
Nooooo - ironing is for beding in new boots, takes a while to get the board at the right height but once done away you go!
Don't forget the wobble-board/Bosu ball!
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
xspleetive, The solution is to go skiing for 2 weeks minumum, you can have a day off when you get knackered and by the second week you will skied your legs into shape.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Bosu ball is awesome turn it upside down and do squats on it, great for balance and to get the burn,
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Gsyfreerider, Also, jump squats onto the Bosu and off.
xspleetive, I think you do need to structure a bit of an exercise routine. I have a 4 circuits - abs circuit, push circuit, pull circuit, legs circuit. I do each circuit for 5 mins, then repeat the lot for 2 mins. For the leg circuit I do 16 lunges (swapping legs for each lunge), 16 squats, 16 swap overs (sort of jumping you legs back and forwards - like scissors), 8 jump squats. Repeat as many times as you can in 5 mins. Exercises for the buttocks are also a good idea as these will also help with balance.
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?
erica2004, and jump on it up when it's upside down I've learnt to love it with my knee rehab
I can highly recommend proper strength training (ie free weights with a barbell), but people will look at you funny in the gym doing something actually relevant to real life. Google stronglifts 5x5 or Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe if you actually want to improve strength, but it takes effort. Please don't fart around with bosu balls, and bodyweight excercises aren't unreasonable but have a pretty low ceiling for useful improvement.
Learning to ski is an excellent partner to the above...
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Quote:
a pretty low ceiling for useful improvement.
but most of us would probably be quite happy to reach that ceiling and the OP just wants to ski around on holiday without getting knackered.
Yeah, but you'd improve by jumping on the spot until exhaustion every day too - doesn't make it a good use of your time.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
DaveC, People need to be able to push/pull/lift their own bodyweight before tackling heavier weights. (imo)
After all it is free
After all it is free
erica2004, why? Flexibility issues aside, there are light enough free weights in the world to allow them to be used as load for any free weight excercise - even if you have to start off squatting a broomstick rather than barbell, or whatever, linear gains are possible in even the weakest of people, and making them stronger can't be a bad idea.
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.
OP if you are going skiing at the beginning of Feb you need to be doing ski specific exercises. You say you are not a fitness fan, so you really need to book your flight and ski for the next two and a half months ..... skiing all day followed by a skinful every night .... never fails....
alternatively you can try these.... http://youtube.com/v/EHd3kG8wZeI&NR=1
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Thank you one and all. Most helpful.
Like I'd said, the weather ain't great for outside exercises so the running up and down stairs interspersed with squats/press-ups/sit-ups suggested sound like the best choices. Just after I posted this, I found an article in a paper that suggested this exact same thing only with rests inbetween. It apparently helps something that I can't remember cos my wife through the article away
Anyways, thank you all again. Will be getting started on this regime in the not too distant. Was gonna wait till after Christmas to start but fear I may not be able to move after all the food/drink consumed.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
xspleetive, maybe the article was about the "tabata training". High intensity intervals for 20 seconds then 10 second rest and do it at least 8 times. Usually popular with squats etc.
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.
Quote:
Will be getting started on this regime in the not too distant.
you first posted on 12 November!
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
xspleetive wrote:
By the way, I'm not a fan of physical exercise at all. If the routine recommended can still involve me holding a can and having a fag, it would be most appreciated.
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
