Winter Fitness

It may still feel like summer, but we are already thinking about winter. As we lay about sunbathing by the hot tub at MoaAlm, we have been contemplating how to prepare our lazy summer bodies for the slopes this coming season. 

You might be thinking that September is a little premature to start squatting for skiing, but we can assure you, good preparation leads to a much better performance and allows you to get the most out of your active week on a ski or snowshoe holiday.

Bearing all that in mind we thought we would show you the four simple exercises we are doing each day before dinner. They will not only help your winter fitness but will also tone your summer beach bod! 

For a more entertaining photograph, we pictured Lottie doing the exercises in her skis, googles and summer shorts. We strongly advise doing the four simple exercises without the skis and ski boots!

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 1: Body weight squats

What:

• Start standing with feet just slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.

• Sit your butt back into a squat, without letting your knees go past your toes. Make sure your weight is in your heels, and keep your chest up.
• Continue for 20 seconds.

Why: Quadriceps are probably the most used muscle group in skiing. These muscles hold you in position as you ski and provide protection for your knees.

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2: Jumping lunges

What:

• Starting standing with feet shoulder-width apart. Jump your left leg forward and your right leg back and land in a lunge position.
• Jump up and switch your legs in midair so that you land in a lunge with your right leg in front.
• Continue jumping back and forth, pausing as little as possible, for 20 seconds.

Why: Lunges are great for your hamstrings and your core, both key to maintaining a good posture when you are skiing. Adding a jump here allows you to work on your propulsion which is a key factor in skiing off piste and coping with moguls. 

3: Lateral ski jump exercise

What:

• Stand with your feet hip-width apart and knees slightly bent, balancing on one leg.
• Jump to the side, landing on the other leg. Think about landing softly with your knee slightly bent.
• Then jump to the other side, landing on the other leg.
• Swing your arms sideways across your body like a speed skater.
• Repeat 15 on each side for a total of 30.

Why: Lateral strength is not often targeted in our usual gym session, but is key for staying injury free on the slopes. Strengthening here will allow you to cope with uneven terrain and off piste skiing with much more confidence.

 4: Cardio

What:

Your aim is to increase your heart rate and work your lungs. Pick an activity that you enjoy doing, whether it’s running, biking, jumping jacks or high-intensity interval training (HITT). Your goal should be 30 minutes of cardio activity two to three times a week to get your heart and lungs prepped for those bursts downhill.

Why: Skiing is an intense body workout. Having good overall fitness will allow you to spend longer on the slopes and not have to miss out on a day because you are too tired. 

Want more inspiration? Check out the WearActive facebook feed and the 'RelaxinglyActive' Youtube channel for more exercises and weekly challenges from Craig!