How to Get Your Body Ready for Skiing Season
It’s not quite time for that winter snow, but the time is right for preparing ahead of your ski trip. When you go skiing and snowboarding too, you’re engaging muscles you don’t normally use. That soreness can be avoided by working on those muscles now, making it much easier for you to enjoy more time on the slopes and less time in pain.
– Do the right exercises
You could have spent your whole summer swimming and cycling, but you won’t be ready for skiing or snowboarding. Before you head out to the slopes, work on perfecting your knee position. Doing so will prevent injuries as will working on that backside positioning too. A mirror can help ensure that you’re lining everything up properly, then practice it daily!
And the muscles that need the most help to provide the best assist to you while skiing? Quadriceps and glutes will always see you through. Do plenty of squats and make them more challenging with each day by adding weights in.
– Prepare your inner organs
If you’re not used to high altitudes, you’ll need to be ready for that thinner air. This causes the heart and lungs to work harder. You can keep up cycling for exercise or do a workout with a stepper which will both engage those ski muscles but keep up the pace. This will get your heart and lungs ready for those high altitude challenges.
– Know what to eat
When it’s finally time to make your first run down the mountain, keep your meal before it light and energetic. Choose wholesome foods that nourish with a balance of fruits, veggies, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. And while everyone loves a nice cocktail at the lodge, save that for when your day of skiing is done. You’ll need to optimize your hydration so your body performs its best out there on the snow.
– Pay attention to your body
Preparation ahead of your ski adventure will certainly help maximize the time you get and likely allow for more runs. But even if you’re young, your body has a limit. Don’t push it or you’ll risk a serious injury that will keep you off the slopes until next year or longer. Additionally, altitude sickness can affect even the most-prepared and experienced of skiers. Fatigue, dehydration, and nausea are the symptoms but if you feel extreme soreness or not like yourself, it’s best to head back to the lodge and take a rest.
Before and after going skiing, you can help your body stay primed for fall and winter sports by getting a massage or physiotherapy to help you with any previous injuries. And best of all, if you call In Your Home Therapy, you don’t have to do anything but wait for them to show up at your door!
