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    Pre-Season Conditioning (part 1)

    November 12, 2007

    Part 1: Stretching to improve flexibility

    Skip to Part 2 →

     

    Cross Country Ski Season is right around the corner. The chill in the air all of a sudden has purpose ...snow is on the way, and you intend to put it good use! There is nothing quite like putting on those XC skis after the first reasonable snowfall, hitting the trails, and cutting in some new tracks for the season. In fact, you'll probably ski a lot longer than you should that first day, your body won't be as prepared as your mind, and the next day you'll wonder what kind of truck ran you over while you were sleeping!

     

    Skiing uses more muscle groups than any other exercise. It requires them to be limber, toned, and coordinated. And there are few activities during the summer that can prepare you for the first days of ski season. Fortunately, there are a number of stretches, balance techniques, and exercises that can put you in top condition for hitting the trails.

    Stretching for increased flexibility improves skiing efficiency and reduces injury

    You've heard it before, the most important thing you can do before exercising is stretching. Nordic skiing takes this a step further: the most efficient thing you can do for your skiing is stretching. If your goal is to ski smoother, longer, and with little risk of stopping to nurse a cramp, you had better start focussing on your flexibility in the pre-season. There are many common stretches that prepare your legs and hips for extending into a perfect classic stride and glide. And many of these stretches are equally important for improving your balance (part 2). Additionally, stretching the upper body will improve your skiing stance and enable better poling. But most important, these stretches will also help to prepare your body for resisting injuries when the hill you couldn't resist becomes the tangled up fall you couldn't avoid.

    Let's take a look at a few stretches that should be a part of your pre-season conditioning, as well as part of your daily ski season warm-up.

    Back and Sides (Latissimus Dorsi and Abdominals)Neck and Shoulders (Trapezius, Pectoralis and Deltoids)
    Neck & Shoulders

    Neck and Shoulders (Trapezius, Pectoralis and Deltoids)

    Think of stretching as a "top-down" routine, and begin by stretching your neck by slowly turning your head left to right, and then tilting left to right, and front to back. Next, stretch your shoulders by standing against a wall with your arms straight out along the wall. Bend your elbows so that your forearms and hands point straight up. Then, rotate your elbows without moving your upper arms, but so that your forearms and hands point down. Hold and then repeat.

    Back and Sides (Latissimus Dorsi and Abdominals)
    Back & Sides

    Back and Sides (Latissimus Dorsi and Abdominals)

    While standing up straight with shoulders back and feet shoulders-width apart, reach both hands above your head. Then slowly lean to each side, without bending foreward at the hips or shoulders. When your arch is maximized, hold, then repeat, alternating sides.

    Thigh & Extensor
    Thigh & Extensor

    Upper Legs and Hamstrings (Gluteus, Adductor, Satorius, Quadriceps, Gastrocnemius)

    Begin with a simple thigh and extensor stretch by placing one hand against a wall for balance and then using your other hand to hold your foot behind you. Hold and repeat with other leg.

    Upper Legs and Hamstrings (Gluteus, Adductor, Satorius, Quadriceps, Gastrocnemius)
    Glutes & Hamstrings

    Stand with your feet about 40" apart (more or less based on your hight) and ensure that your hips are rotated properly with your upper body upright, not hunched forward. Then, with hands resting on your upper thigh, bend your left knee and hip and extend your right leg. Hold, and then repeat on other side.

    Upper Legs and Hamstrings (Gluteus, Adductor, Satorius, Quadriceps, Gastrocnemius)
    Lower Legs & Feet

    Lower Legs and Feet (Extensors and Calves)

    Standing in front of a wall or step, raise the front of your foot and place against wall. Then lean into the wall to stretch your calf. Hold and then repeat with the other leg. To stretch your extensors (front of lower leg), hold near your toes instead of your ankle while performing the simple thigh/extensor stretch (above).

    --AK

    Go To Part 2: Improving Your Balance and Coordination →
    Skip To Part 3 →

    Tags:   health   news   conditioning  

    Does Indiana get enough snow for cross country skiing?

    February 18, 2022

    Skiers, courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/people/a4gpa/Yes, Indiana receives plenty of snow for XC skiing... But how far you travel to get to the snow all depends on where you live in Indiana. South Bend averages... read more

    Tags:   snow   places  

    Cross Country Ski Equipment and Gear

    January 14, 2009

    Skis and Ski BootsCross Country Ski Equipment and GearHow to Choose the Right Skis discusses your options for cross country skis, boots, and bindings. Includes our sizing... read more

    Tags:   gear   news  

    How to Maintain Waxless Skis (part 3)

    January 7, 2009

    waxlesszoneHow  to maintain the kick-zone on a waxless ski: A simple guide to cleaning, repairing, and waxingGo to Part One | Go to Part TwoNow what about the... read more

    Tags:   news   gear    

    How to Maintain Waxless Skis (part 2)

    January 2, 2009

    How to prepare the ski and apply glide waxGo to Part One | Go to Part ThreeThe five minute method is to purchase glide wax paste, of which several brands are... read more

    Tags:   news   gear  

    Skiers' Health and Fitness

    January 1, 2009

    The Health Benefits of Cross Country Skiing Explores the reasons that Nordic skiing is the best all around form of exercise. Includes a chart of calories... read more

    Tags:   health   news  

    How to Maintain Waxless Skis (part 1)

    December 16, 2008

    Waxless Cross Country SkisWhy (and where) you need to wax your waxless skis: A brief explanation of friction, suction, wax and structureGo to Part Two | Go to Part ThreeSo you've... read more

    Tags:   news   gear    

    How to Choose the Right Skis

    November 16, 2008

    How to Choose the Right Skis, Bindings, Boots & PolesThe equipment you choose for cross country skiing depends on how and where you intend to ski.  ... read more

    Tags:   news    

    The Health Benefits of Cross Country Skiing

    July 6, 2008

    Woman XC skate skiingThe low-impact, total body workout of Nordic Skiing has numerous health benefitsIt's the ultimate cardio exercise, the number one calorie burner, provide... read more

    Tags:   health   news  

    Hills, Forests, and Fields of France Park

    January 9, 2008

    Family skiing at France Park, Cass County, IndianaA look at one of Indiana's most beautiful rural ski areas.  Deer, turkey, eagles and osprey --all are a common sight at this park located in... read more

    Tags:   news   places  

    Pre-Season Conditioning (part 3)

    December 15, 2007

    ← Back To Part 2Up to Part 1 ↑Part 3: Toning your Muscles for Increased EnduranceYou are an active person. But the busy-ness of summer seldom gives... read more

    Tags:   news   health   conditioning    

    Pre-Season Conditioning (part 2)

    November 30, 2007

    ← Back To Part 1Skip to Part 3 →Part 2: Improving Your Balance and StabilityRemember the first time you put on a pair of cross country skis and... read more

    Tags:   news   health   conditioning    

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