It’s that time of the year again when I know you’re looking at your calendars and trying to find the perfect weekend to escape to some remote location where the weather is much cooler and you can enjoy countless hours of uninterrupted skiing with family & friends.
Although skiing is a blast, it is also a very tough activity that can push you to your limit physically and mentally and we need to make sure that you are well prepared to put your body to the test. Often times when people think of preparing themselves for an activity such as skiing, it is natural to think that you would just need to focus on your lower body as a way to train and get ready for your trip. However, the best thing that you can do to really be prepared for your skiing activity is to train your entire body to strengthen any deficiencies which will help you to avoid injury. Whether you are new to skiing or you’re an expert skier, just remember that you will be pushed hard physically & mentally in various ways on your skiing trip…so therefore, preparation is going to be key for you to have a fun and safe overall experience in the snow.
So, let’s make sure that you have a wonderful and safe time on your skiing trip by helping you to master the following 5 exercises on your Total Gym Fit that will help you to get fit for ski season:
Jump Squats
Start in a deep squat position with your feet on the foot platform of your Total Gym Fit. Place your hands by your side, in the air, beneath your butt or just wherever is most comfortable for you. From this position, explosively jump up as high as you can with both feet and be sure to land with both feet on the platform as well. Repeat this sequence to complete the first rep and then you can repeat the movement to complete the set. (2 Sets of 15 Reps)
Seated 2 Point Leg Swings
With your core engaged and sitting up nice and straight on your Total Gym Fit, place your left foot on the foot platform. Perform a one-legged squat on your left leg and as you come back up from your squat, kick your right leg up as high as you can. Perform another squat on your left leg and this time on your way back up from the squat, kick your right leg out to the right side as wide as you can. After performing both kicks on one leg, that is considered one rep. Repeat this sequence as fluidly as possible by alternating the two directions on your leg for the desired number of total reps. Be sure to perform all reps on one side before switching and repeating with the opposite leg. (2 Sets of 10 Reps in Each Direction Per Leg)
Dips
Position your hands on the foot platform. Slightly move with your legs extended out in front of you. Straighten your arms, keeping a little bend in your elbows to keep tension on your triceps and off your elbow joints. Slowly bend your elbows to lower your body toward the floor until your elbows are at about a 90-degree angle. Be sure to keep your back close to the foot platform. Once you reach the bottom of the movement, press down into the bench to straighten your elbows, returning to the starting position. This completes one rep. Keep your shoulders down as you lower and raise your body. Please note that you can slightly bend your legs to modify this exercise and to make it slightly easier to complete. (2 Sets of 10 Reps)
Incline Push-Up
Stand facing the foot platform of your Total Gym Fit. Place hands on the edge the foot platform, slightly wider than shoulder width. Position forefoot back from the foot platform with arms and body straight. Lower yourself down with slowly and controlled. Push your body up until arms are extended to complete the first rep. (2 Sets of 15 reps)
Standing Squat & Side Stretch
Begin in a standup position with your right foot on the foot platform and your left foot on the ground. Slowly lower yourself in a squat on your left foot and as you do so, your right foot should be raising the board up towards the top of your Total Gym Fit. As your body comes back up from the squat position, you slowly lower the foot platform down into its start position. Repeat this sequence to complete the first rep and then you repeat the exercise to complete the set. (2 Sets of 15 Reps with Each Leg)
