Skiing is a challenging activity that requires:
Power
Balance/stability/kinesthetic awareness
Speed
Muscular endurance
Ski-specific strength
Skiing requires strong lower body muscles, combined with a strong core and upper body. What is unique to skiing is a strong emphasis on eccentric (muscle lengthening for shock absorption) and isometric (static contraction to prevent movement) muscle contractions.
To properly prepare, it’s important to choose specific exercises that challenge the lower body and core for the unique demands of skiing.
The reACT Trainer – The ultimate ski-specific training tool!
TThe reACT Trainer is an amazingly effective tool for developing ski-specific strength, endurance, power, balance and stability. It emphasizes the eccentric muscle contractions so crucial to skiing, while also requiring balance and core strength. 5 – 10 minutes twice a week for 3 – 6 weeks before ski season will make an incredible difference in your skiing performance.
Watch this short introductory video to learn how to use the reACT Trainer: https://youtu.be/b5LWiI19c1k?si=679_oyiqLw55g7dk
Slideboard exercise/floor slides
Two other great ski conditioning tools are slide boards and/or floor skids. Both place a strong emphasis on the eccentric aspect of key exercises such as lunges and side lunges.
A slideboard provides a ski-specific challenge to the lower body and core in a dynamic manner that requires strength, power and flexibility while moving laterally, which is another unique aspect of skiing. This means that the inner and outer thighs need to be heavily conditioned to prevent premature fatigue on the slopes, and the slideboard is perfect for this! Watch this video of the basic sliding movement: https://youtu.be/fpaFkIQx7FE For more ski-specific slideboard exercises go to: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL33FAB06632D708A6
Floor sliders can mimic some of the benefits of slideboard exercises by sliding the foot(s) across the floor during lunges, side lunges and core exercises. To get an idea of ​​all the exercises that can be done with these simple and inexpensive gliders, take a look at this: https://youtu.be/xdn9M4rXEtA
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