The Square Life

Fall isn’t the season to let fitness levels decline; it’s the time to gear-up for the slopes. Unlike sledding, skiing and snowboarding require a level of athleticism. In fact, Jeffrey Cline, MD, a University Healthcare sports physician, recommends that winter adventurers take a well-rounded approach to the components of fitness—strength, flexibility, general fitness, and balance. “The better shape they are in when they start, the more likely they are to resist injuries, and the better able they will be to handle the forces that are exerted on them when they are participating at an extreme level,” he says. Similarly, personal trainer David Stroshine says, “Before hitting the slopes this winter, it is important to activate and strengthen the body in order to reduce injuries and improve performance.” The exercises to the right, which incorporate dumbbells or a resistance band, will build strength for endurance on the ski hill. “This workout focuses on incorporating the core and surrounding muscles into exercises to be efficient with movement, and time,” he says.
Overall, there’s a certain correlation between fitness and ease of skiing and snowboarding. So along with strength training and stretching, sports and other heart-pounding workouts are essential for overall fitness for the slopes. In-line skating and ice skating actually mimic skiing. And the greater the variety of cross-training in winter’s pre-season, the greater the readiness come snow time. “They’ll have much more success mixing up their workouts:  in-line skating, lifting with their lower extremities and with their core, running or jogging, maybe even getting in the pool and getting a cardiovascular workout,” Dr. Cline says.