Dry Land Training

[jim-ratliff]

 

Guilty as charged, Your Honor.  Started quite a few years ago after a moderate hamstring pull.  Just feel like they give my upper legs better support, keep the muscles a bit warmer, and less soreness the next day (because of less lactic acid buildup?).  Early in the season, I even wear them for skiing under my base layer (unless Lynn is along, don't want her to see me in supp hose)! 

[Svend]

OK, just to make ya feel better, I admit to wearing cycling shorts too.? ? ? Yeah, the tight ones with the padded diaper....? Bought them when I was about 30 lbs lighter, and they sure fit like supp hose now.? Could use a dressing frame just to get em on -- something that holds them open, about 3 feet off the floor, and then I take a flying leap off the end of the bed right in.? As long as I don't miss, and get both legs into one leg hole, I'm good.? ? But, like Todd, the midsection weight is coming off, and by end of summer, they should fit just fine. 

[speed163]

Wow!  I never knew a simple question could offer up such personal confessions.

My reference to weights was not an implied 'life ring' but a mere hand held dumbell or an ergonomically designed machine.

As for the Harb carvers, they look like a cross between an inline skate and an all too familiar roller ski. However, I think my kids would disown me if I attempted such an activity on our street or local school parking lot.  They would ask me where my day pass was kept. Neat idea. 

Beyond the exercises that are offered up by the ski mags or Phil Maier, it was meant to be an honest question, without Shakespearean overtones. The picture generated by men, in lycra, is not what I would consider to be motivating.

Pointe shoes anyone??  

Terryl

[jim-ratliff]

OK, a completely serious answer.

The single thing that seems to have improved my skiing the most is just balancing.  Initially, it was a summer just periodically catching myself in midstride while walking down the hall and balance there for 15 seconds.  The people in the office laughed (and asked to see my day pass) but they know I am skicrazy so understood when I told them what was up.  Subsequently, I have expanded that to trying to balance on one foot while taking off shoes or putting on socks, etc.  Activities that require more movement and therefore more subtle movements.  This is probably especially worthwhile for me because I've had a couple of back problems and loss of muscle mass, and recovery from that difficult.  Hard to find exercises to replicate the running and jumping that was easy as a kid.

However, my guess is that given your skating activities you wouldn't gain from this the way that I did.

Road bike has been good for me as well for similar reasons.  Good way to restore strength while exercising combinations of lots of muscles in a more dynamic setting with variety of speeds and varying resistance just naturally ocurring.  And, of course, has the cardiovascular advantage as well.  For me, road bike works better than trail bike.  There are plenty of paved trails in the DC area and the road bike gives me a greater range to ride.  The WO&D railroad trail is about 45 miles paved total.  National airport to Mount Vernon is 12 miles paved and scenic.  Lots of other lesser 10 miles trails here and there, not to mention just riding on the road.

[Ron]

balance? Core, core and more core, then get yourself either a 3' trampline or a Bosu ball trainer like this http://www.bosupro.com/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=bosupro/story.html .  the bosu ball is probably one of the best trainers possible for balance training and strengthening you can do. Unfortunately, I am well-versed in rehab and the bosu ball is amuch used training device. I have used it for my ankle, knee and back rehab. You can just stand on it with one foot, hold a weight and move it side to side and balance, reach down and touch the floor using alternate hands, the best was a drill where they put a band around your waste and you stand on one leg, they pull you back and forth and you have to balance yourself. It's a tough one but fun too. I also ride my mountain bike on a 20 mile ride each weekend, I find the mtn bike requires a lot of the same skills as skiing trees. You need to lead with your upper body and use countering like in skiing asw ell as using the inside leg to help with balance. I run 2-3 times during the week along with regular workouts.  Did I mention core?   Try doing planks 4 times a week (or more) sides and front, hold for 1 minute each.

[jim-ratliff]

That looks like a great rehab tool. They didn't have anything like that at my PT place.

[midwif]

Most gyms have bosu balls these days. I get a little bored with these  kind of exercise.
Can't stay with them for long.
I use yoga for my balance training.
One footed poses require keeping knees and hips aligned
in order to be balanced. Very skier oriented.

And yes, planks are VERY good. Better done with a partner to lessen the boredom factor as well.

[Ron]

yoga is cool stuff!

[SnowHot]

Landing ourselves in the "off" season, one? has to remain in a reasonable state of fitness.? ? ?

 Beyond maintaining both physical and muscular endurance, I"m interested to know from all members if you have any specific exercises that you find personally beneficial for skiing. Any exercises which would facilitate the transition from dry-land to snow??

Suggestions??

Terryl

To the OP...
Agility ladder and jump rope have made a huge difference in helping me get quicker feet for bumps and trees.
For basic fitness, I mountain bike and golf(walk no cart)
I'm fairly fit for a 42 YO woman from the midwest.