Strengthen Your Legs For Skiing

For most people, skiing is not an activity they can indulge in regularly, and it is hard work for unprepared legs.

Even if you are a keen athlete, engaging in some ski-specific training will keep you on the slopes longer, helping you get the most out of your trip and making the whole experience more enjoyable.

The following exercises will strengthen the key muscles used in skiing, and can be performed at home without any specialist equipment.

Squats will hit the thighs, which are essential in skiing. Beginners can squat with their back against a wall for support, progressing to one-legged squats as you advance.

Put a shin-high barrier on the floor and jump side to side over it to strengthen the outer thighs. Do four sets of 10 jumps to get your blood flowing.

Don’t forget to strengthen your core to improve your balance and overall strength. Perform three planks of a minute each to get your abs working.

Last but not least, it’s time to train your balance. You can do this at any time, standing in line or brushing your teeth, for example, by standing on one foot. You can make the exercise more difficult by closing your eyes as you do so, and as an added bonus it will also strengthen your ankles. Don’t forget to switch feet!

These are the main areas that should be trained before any skiing trip. While this is by no means an exhaustive lift of muscles or exercises, they are easy to build into your usual daily routine. All that is required is some regular practice in order to see the difference once you finally hit the slopes.