If you’ve never been skiing before, it all sounds very much “glitz and glamour.”
There’s no doubt that this is absolutely the case, particularly if you choose a high-profile resort, with t Serre Chevalier (shown in detail on Serre Chevalier) being an obvious example.
However, something that shouldn’t be ignored is the topic of being in appropriate physical condition. Sure, you shouldn’t approach this like an elite athlete, but if you don’t prep your body adequately there’s every chance that you can incur injury. After all, the slopes can exert all sorts of stress on your body which it will never have experienced before.
Bearing this in mind, today’s article will take a look at some of the key skiing fitness tips that you should adapt if you are planning your first holiday to the mountains.
Get your cardio under control
The most obvious element of your physical preparation for skiing will be your cardio.
After all, if you can’t get your heart rate up when you need to then you’re going to find yourself struggling on the slopes.
The good news is that this is an element of your preparation that can be achieved relatively quickly. After all, all you need to do is head out for a run, cycle or swim to get things going a couple of months before you travel.
The key thing is to focus on increasing your endurance and stamina, rather than your speed. After all, you’re not going to be racing down the slopes at 100mph, this is all about having the endurance to last on the mountains for hours on end, and not give up after a couple of hours.
Get your legs in shape
Unsurprisingly, one of the most important elements of skiing is your legs.
The fact is that you’ll be using them to push off and propel yourself down the piste (and sometimes up it), so you’ll need them in top condition. You’ll also be surprised at the amount of pressure that your legs experience as you make turns – particularly on steep slopes.
For some people, the running as part of their cardio routine will suffice. However, if you want to go a step further and protect your lower body even more, consider exercises like these.
Get your upper body in shape
While your legs are going to be the most important element of your skiing fitness, you’ll also need to focus on your upper body. As anyone who has been skiing will testify, there will be plenty of mornings where you will wake up with an utterly stiff upper body following the previous day’s activities on the slopes.
For most people, the best way to do this is take up swimming. The water will provide resistance, so you’ll be able to work on your upper body strength. Sure, you could go to town and participate in a strenuous weight-lifting program, but this is overkill and basic upper body exercise will suffice prior to your trip.
