Fit for it

Ok, what do the team think is important for pre-skiing preparation? I'm thinking of gym work mainly, so:

Quads, Hamstrings and Calves are all important - so things like Leg Presses and Curls to build strength.

What about stamina? Is a rowing machine optimal here, or is something like a X-trainer going to be more beneficial (as you can easily emphasis the leg-work).

Or should I just go out running (no, not that, don't make me run anywhere)?

I'm sure I read somewhere the other day that mountain biking is really good preparation for skiing, because you use similar muscles in both sports. So not only do you get good aerobic exercise to improve your stamina, you get stronger in the right places.

In short...

On yer bike mate!

robinp wrote:mountain biking

Yerrsss... bit short of mountains in Orpington! Biking's fun though; playing chicken with "White Van Man" in country lanes...

A quick search turned up the following useful links:

A short article from Bupa - Fit to Ski

A usefully explicit article about the key muscle groups

So I'm going to add Back & Abdomen resistance exericises to my workout and use both X-Trainer and Rower for cardio (the former because it works the upper body more than a bike, and the latter for the useful exercising of calf and shin if you strap your feet down tight!).

...all of which will make the time pass quicker until I get to the snow!

As a keen mountain biker and a person who still tries to get down to the gym 2/3 times a week, I'd say the best training for skiing is running.

Sorry, I know it hurts and ain't much fun but it's a sad truth.

I used to play rugby, and when I skiied during the season I found it easy to keep going all day at a good lick.

After I retired (from rugby) at 25 I took up mountainbiking and used to get out 2/3 times a week, as well as doing circuit training down the gym. I was probably fitter at that time, but I couldn't ski as hard or as long.

For the last two years I've started running more in the 6/8 weeks before my ski trip and find that this helps loads.

Get pounding the miles. &|

Having managed to land on my head and twist my neck when skiing in Italy last month, the physio has somewhat restricted my exercise regime for 3 months:

No rower, no treadmill, no jogging, no spinning, no resistance training that raises arms above the shoulders (e.g. lat pull-downs, etc)...

So it's 3 months of recumbent biking, leg presses and biceps! Urgh, oh well the legs will be in good shape in time for next season...