Whether you plan on clicking into your skis next month or won't be on the snow until January, you can get your heart rate going now and strengthen those legs with these three simple exercises. The good news is that you can do these simple exercises at home in a 10-15 minute window of time.
Green circle skier: (check the :20 second mark in the video!)
Steps: 30-second intervals on/off over 5-10 min 4-5 days a week
Up and down steps helps builds lower body strength: specifically quads, hamstrings and buttocks, while also increasing your heart rate as you pick up the tempo. Having a strong heart, and lower body muscles will help you glide effortlessly down the slopes with less fatigue.
Blue Square Skier: (check the :37 second mark in the video!)
Accordion box shuffle : 30-second intervals on/off over 5-10 min 4-5 days a week
Jumping laterally across a step will develop lower body strength especially lateral hip strength and power. This exercise (explosion and absorption) replicates and fires up the same muscle group used when making quick turns in the snow.
Black Diamond Skier: (check the 1:00 minute mark in the video!)
Lateral box jumps: 30-second intervals on/off over 5-10 min 4-5 days a week
This exercise mimics more aggressive skiing, maneuvering through tight turns and moguls. Jumping on top of, and over a box laterally, will help not only with the basics of cardio and dynamic trunk and leg strength, but it works on speed, power and the agility your body requires when hammering through whatever the mountain puts in front of you.
Other Resources
• If you're looking for more tips to keep you feeling strong on the snow, check out these 10 questions a University of Utah Health pro provided in response to ski-health related questions posted on Ski Utah's social media channels.
• New last season, there's an Orthopaedic Injury Clinic that offers same-day, walk-in appointments with convenient after hours for any skier or snowboarder. This first of its kind facility with the University of Utah Healthcare offering the following walk-in hours:
Monday–Thursday: 4pm–8pm
Friday: noon–6pm
