The Winter Olympics is a fabulous display of athletic prowess. Watching the Olympians excel at their respective sports and cheering for our country can be an uplifting experience. While we watch our fellow country men and women we have all thought the same thing, could I do that?
Qualifying for the national Olympic team is certainly not easy. There is a lot of work that goes into being an Olympian. While most of us do not have the skills to compete in the Olympics, we can all train like Olympic athletes. Skiing has become a highly recognized sport in the Winter Olympics, and a fun recreational sport.
Even though skiing needs snow, training to be a skier can be done year round. Getting a personal trainer is a good place to start a training regimen. Be sure to find a coach that understands the ins and outs of skiing and what body parts need to be worked out to get the best out of your skiing experience.
Good alpine skiing equipment is the last thing that should be on your mind. It seems counter intuitive, but good equipment is not going to make up for a lack of training. Good equipment will not make a bad skier a great skier.
Off season training can be broken down into five steps. The 1st step is flexibility. The main parts of the body to focus on for skiing are the hamstrings, the hip flexors, and the torso. Taking a class like yoga can be great if motivation is difficult for you.
Step 2 is balance and coordination. Balance and coordination will keep you on your feet and off your keester. Good exercises for balance and coordination include one-legged dips, jump rope, and bleacher running.
Step 3 is strength. Muscle growth in legs and trunk is key, with some moderate work on the upper body. Strength training helps to prevent injury and increase athleticism. Strength helps to control flexibility.
The fourth step is speed. Timing is a crucial component of skiing. Moving laterally with agility is very important. If you can’t control your speed, your skis will be controlling you instead of the other way around.
Endurance is the last step, 5. Cardiovascular work is necessary if you plan on hitting the slopes all day long. Varying the intensity of your aerobic exercise is important. This provides the best results.
While most people know they won’t be the next Picabo Street or Bodey Miller, everyone who enjoys skiing can benefit from these training techniques. Conditioning year round will improve athleticism, help prevent injury, and improve technique. Any skier, whether aiming for professional or just recreational, can become better and have more fun if they condition off season.