5 Exercises to Help You Get Ready for Snowboarding and Skiing
When it’s cold outside, you can either cozy up with cocoa. Or you can get the best exercise of your life with snowboarding or skiing. Before you know it, that snow will thaw, so take advantage of it and make your way down the mountain!
But wait! Before you slap on your skis or run out the door with your board, don’t forget to warm your muscles up. Failing to do so could lead to injuries that will have you sitting out on the action all season. It could even impact you so badly that snow sports are off the table next year too.
These 5 exercises will help you get ready for your favorite winter sports!
1. Lunges
Lunges are a great way to engage the larger muscle groups in your legs and buttocks. Do 2 sets of 10 lunges prior to your snow sport adventure.
2. Trunk rotation
Your torso must twist and turn on a dime when you’re gliding down the slopes. Be sure to do trunk rotation exercises to warm up the core muscles and prepare them for swift movement.
3. Arm circles
Especially with skiing, arm circles are important to keep the rotator cuff flexible. Do several sets going forward and backward to engage this important set of muscles.
4. Side to side
Protect your groin area from injury by gently and fluidly shifting your weight from one side to the other in continuous motion. Think of it as a more horizontal form of lunging.
5. Jumps
Jump back and forth, simulating what it’s like on the slopes with your skis. This will engage the muscles and get you ready for a fun day ahead.
Physiotherapy is very important when you’re into snow sports. Whether you prefer skiing or snowboarding, or you love to dabble in both, let a physiotherapist come to your home and help you prepare and recover every time.
Why Physiotherapy for Winter Sports
If you’ve ever suffered an injury before, a physiotherapist can help you enjoy the activities you’ve always loved with less chance of injury. You’ll learn how to do exercises that improve your range of motion and flexibility so you won’t have to watch wistfully from the lodge windows.
Always remember that warming up is an essential part of this sport. Cooling down is important too. Never just come off the course and head in for cocoa by the fireplace without doing the stretches your muscles need to wind down.
You don’t have to do it alone either. Our expertly trained physiotherapists can come to you at your convenience and make sure you get the physiotherapy you need to enjoy the winter sports you love!
