In Season Conditioning

[Angus]

In past threads, we've discussed various forms of off-season conditioning. I'm wondering about what the group does in-season - especially those like me who aren't out there 40+ times during the season.

I swim year round. But come winter, I like to get out and x-c ski (nordic or skate style) as much as possible. I find it an excellent form of cardio as well as strength conditioning. Similarly, like downhill skiing, it provides a great way to enjoy the winter landscape.

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

in winter i swim (continous training for triathalons) treadmill/bike/light weights...also snoshow (running) at lunch when theres snow here on LI...

 

[Marc]

The time with which I would normally condition in season is spent skiing.

So... I just ski. I don't know, occasionally I do some pushups or find my way into the gym, but mostly I just ski.

 

[kingslug]

Go to gym, work out, repeat.

 

[Greg]

Just finding the time to ski as much as I do (which isn't a ton by some standards) is hard enough. I'm lucky to have a high metabolism and natural endurance; at least for now...

 

[from_the_NEK]

I play hockey once a week for a couple of hours and play volleyball once a week as well.

 

[SnowRider]

Has anyone ever heard of those skiing machines where you stand on them and slide back and forth. Not exacly sure what they are called but i see them in skiing mags.

SnowRider

 

[Grassi21]

Has anyone ever heard of those skiing machines where you stand on them and slide back and forth. Not exacly sure what they are called but i see them in skiing mags.

SnowRider

Skier's Edge. There are a number of threads discussing the machine. I would love to get one but they are a bit pricey.

 

[Greg]

Has anyone ever heard of those skiing machines where you stand on them and slide back and forth. Not exacly sure what they are called but i see them in skiing mags.

SnowRider

Skier's Edge. There are a number of threads discussing the machine. I would love to get one but they are a bit pricey.

Search is your friend...

http://forums.alpinezone.com/search.php?searchid=25029

 

[ALLSKIING]

Has anyone ever heard of those skiing machines where you stand on them and slide back and forth. Not exacly sure what they are called but i see them in skiing mags.

SnowRider

Thats the skiers edge. I use it along with a treadmill 3 to 5 times a week all year.

 

[tirolerpeter]

Conditioning

I probably posted this before, but here goes again. I don't work for the "Skier's Edge" company, but if they offered me a job selling them I would take it in a minute. I'm sixty years old, and I can ski from first chair to last chair, and not get a burn. There is no doubt in my mind that I can do this only because of my use of the Skier's Edge machine. I bought mine (the basic "Classic Carver") at a ski show around the last week of Oct 2004. I used it for a little over three weeks before I got the first opportunity of that season to get in some turns on Nov 20 at Killington. From the first moment I jumped off the chair at the top of "Rime" I knew something good had happened to me. I not only felt physically strong I felt as if I had already been skiing for several weeks in terms of my stance and rhythm. I couldn't believe how "centered" I felt on my skis and how easily I could initiate turn after turn, short or long. I was simply amazed. Before my "gushing" turns you off, let me assure you that getting to that point involved some serious work on my part. Like absolutely any other piece of exercise equipment, it is useless if you don't use it. In the summer I try to get in a minimum of 3 work-outs per week. In season I do four to five if I can't get out to the slopes. I don't work out the day before a trip, or the day after.

I got a "deal" on my machine because it was a "show demo." I paid around $1450 for it, and my wife thought I was nuts. If you do consider buying one, make sure you also buy the "Slope Simulator" attachment. If you have seen either a live demo, or viewed their demo video on their web site you may not have seen the Slope Simulator. The machine is excellent without the SS, but it work wonders with it. Without, you get a fantastic aerobic workout that not only works the "ski specific" muscles in your legs, but it also conditions the muscle groups that make "angulation" (it’s what helps you lay your edges over) totally natural and effortless. I now make my turns using both the inside edge of the outside ski, and the outside edge of the inside ski. In fact, if I “catch an edge” I easily and automatically shift my weight to the ski that is properly set without any drama. With the Slope Simulator you get the added benefit of improved balance because your feet are not only free to swing from side to side, but they are also free to tilt forward and back. Initially it feels awkward (they can be set to limited movement until you get used to the free motion) but after a time you realize how much your balance improves. It is uncanny how this attachment helps you train your muscles so that you can balance without conscious effort.

My goal at each workout is to do between 2,000 to 3,000 “turns” on the Edge Machine. I usually do about 100 - 105 turns per minute. A “turn” is defined as going from the top center of the machine to one side, and back to the center. Two “turns” is from center to far right back through center to far left, then back to center. I also do 100 -120 ab crunches off the floor, 100 -120 pushups, and 100-120 various upper body exercises using some weights. During the ski season I do not work out the day before a scheduled trip, and for at least a day after. You have to give the muscles some time to rest.

I think it is especially useful to skiers who have excellent skills, but just can't get out on the slopes often enough to keep those "ski muscles" tuned up. Using it makes it seem like you are skiing far more frequently and you can focus on skiing, and not fatigue when you can get out there.

Final note: My wife ended up using the machine to rehab her ankle after having broken it and healed. She used a lighter tension setting, and also used the console of our treadmill as a hand support instead of the poles that are provided. Any questions? Please feel free to PM me if you wish. Yes, I like it.

BTW, I too had a band (the larger of the two) break about six weeks ago. It definitely tossed me. I contacted the company, and they immediately shipped out a replacement on warranty. They claim that this is rare, but now I'm starting to wonder. In any case, I now make a point of doing a careful weekly inspection at the roller points.
_________________
Think SNOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[riverc0il]

one form of in season condition that i am amazed more people do not take advantage: actually skiing all day, open to close. feel the burn!!

 

[Birdman829]

For me it's all about the leg press and the stationary bike at the gym. Let all the other macho fools worry about their bench presses and bicep curls. While they work the show-off muscles, I'm working the skiing muscles.

 

[Marc]

one form of in season condition that i am amazed more people do not take advantage: actually skiing all day, open to close. feel the burn!!

Hey, this is the reason I never got to meet you at the Cannon outting- I kept on going 'til they wouldn't let me go no mo'.








Some of the other skiers needed a soft barstool and a beer in their hand more than last tracks, apparently...

 

[riverc0il]

Hey, this is the reason I never got to meet you at the Cannon outting- I kept on going 'til they wouldn't let me go no mo'.

actually, i hung out well past the lifts closing. i think the reason we never met at cannon is that you are a light weight and didn't want to belly up for a brew after you were done maybe this year my man!

 

[Greg]

one form of in season condition that i am amazed more people do not take advantage: actually skiing all day, open to close. feel the burn!!

This is true. If I have the time to go open to close, I do without a doubt. My second to last day at the Bush was open to close and there were no crowds. Considering the high speeders at the Bush, it translated into a lot of skiing. I could have easily went to bed at 7 pm that night. I think I made it to 9. The couple of times I've been to the Loaf for Reggae weekend, that Saturday would always consist of an open-to-close day, while most folks are tossing a bunch back on the beach.

Unfortunately, given family life, open-to-close is not often a reality, unless it's a guys' weekend thing. Normally, I take what I can get, but I have been trying to get out for longer days the past few years.

 

[Marc]

actually, i hung out well past the lifts closing. i think the reason we never met at cannon is that you are a light weight and didn't want to belly up for a brew after you were done maybe this year my man!

Dooh...

Touche-

To be fair, I did have a three hour drive staring ahead of me, but I def. woulda had one if I could find anyone. It was probably pretty funny to watch me wade through that see of people around the bar area with my ski and boot bag hanging off either side of me...

 

[2knees]

one form of in season condition that i am amazed more people do not take advantage: actually skiing all day, open to close. feel the burn!!

i cant remember the last time i did this. I used to go 8/9-4 without question. I hated stopping for lunch but you get that rubbery feeling by 1:00 or so. Now, and i like to use family as an excuse but thats often a copout, i usually do about 10-3. I need to get motivated and start working out.

 

[jack97]

I need to get motivated and start working out.

My motivation…. if I’m in shape, I can do laps on the bumps runs and work on my technique.

Serveral years back, I went to Ragged after it had a dump of wet snow. Spent all morning on trails they left ungroom, some nice bumps were starting to form. By mid day my legs and hips where sore, quads started to cramp up. By 2:00, I was done, I couldn’t make it down a groom trail without the quads cramping up. I wish I could have stayed longer because I was having a blast and I needed more work on my technique in wet powder.

 

[tirolerpeter]

Conditioning

My motivation…. if I’m in shape, I can do laps on the bumps runs and work on my technique.

Serveral years back, I went to Ragged after it had a dump of wet snow. Spent all morning on trails they left ungroom, some nice bumps were starting to form. By mid day my legs and hips where sore, quads started to cramp up. By 2:00, I was done, I couldn’t make it down a groom trail without the quads cramping up. I wish I could have stayed longer because I was having a blast and I needed more work on my technique in wet powder.

This post is a testament to the value of proper conditioning. Or, as the case may be, the LACK of it. The better shape you are in, the better you will be able to ski, and the more enjoyment you will experience.