Post your pre-season workout

[Kerovick]

I tweaked my knee last year and am trying to toughen it up for this season. What do you do to get ready for the new year?

 

[Nor'easter]

Heavy dose of P90X and a diet any doctor would be proud of. See my post in The Workout Thread for more info. My body is approaching chiseled and I'm only halfway through THIS season's workout.

 

[Nor'easter]

As for knee injuries...I completely tore my ACL along with the corresponding cartilage damage and have gone through 4 major surgeries along with countless minor ones. In my extensive experience, I would say without question bike riding, wether stationary or on the road is THE BEST safe way to strengthen/rehabilitate your knees. (I would say working out in a pool would be the 2nd best).

 

[Beez]

I just bought a balance board. I am hoping it will help my snowboarding, something has to. It gives you a good core workout. I have been bringing it to the gym and also doing upper body stuff while balancing on it. Definitely not a boring workout.

 

[John84]

My pre-season workout is the same as my year round work out. Lift and stretch, not in that order.

 

[PA Ridge Racer]

I, stupidly enough, probably won't do anything again this year to prepare. I'll gradually get my legs back during my first few weeks of the season.

 

[trtaylor]

Here's an exercise routine worth a look.

 

[MRGisevil]

Uhm, no routine. I mountain bike until it is time to ski, and then I ski until it is time to mountain bike. But I am doing a little cross training this year- dragon boat's coming up!!

 

[Phildozer]

www.concept2.com

I row long distances. 10K meters up to 42K.

Love it, love it, love it.

 

[danny p]

sk8board, mountain bike, hike for the summer. Then mid-september through turkey day go to the gym and really try to condition myself for the season.

 

[Sparky]

My approach to working out has changed. In your 20’s 30’s and even 40’s when things hurt or just didn’t want to do what you tell them to do, you just has to push harder. Just like you had to push harder to get into the same shape you were in the previous year. No big deal the body just required more work every year. Now that I’m in my 50’s that approach just doesn’t seem to cut it anymore. If you “just push harder” something is likely to give out, and it takes for ever for these “things” to recover. Now I have to listen to those aches and pains and try to interpret them. I have to decide whether this ache one going to turn in to something that is going to sideline me for a week or should I just ignore it and “push harder.” In discussing this with my contemporaries it seems that there is no clear cut protocol for this, so I’ll ask here if anyone (old guys) has any incites for dealing with the inevitable decline.

By the way I roller blade to try to stay in shape during the off season. I can get a decent aerobic workout as well as practice my technique on the down hills. I have been getting about a 1000 miles a year and it does help a great deal, I can ski all day right from the beginning of the season.

 

[ajl50]

run a 10k.

 

[Sparky]

My approach to working out has changed. In your 20’s 30’s and even 40’s when things hurt or just didn’t want to do what you tell them to do, you just has to push harder. Just like you had to push harder to get into the same shape you were in the previous year. No big deal the body just required more work every year. Now that I’m in my 50’s that approach just doesn’t seem to cut it anymore. If you “just push harder” something is likely to give out, and it takes for ever for these “things” to recover. Now I have to listen to those aches and pains and try to interpret them. I have to decide whether this ache one going to turn in to something that is going to sideline me for a week or should I just ignore it and “push harder.” In discussing this with my contemporaries it seems that there is no clear cut protocol for this, so I’ll ask here if anyone (old guys) has any incites for dealing with the inevitable decline.

By the way I roller blade to try to stay in shape during the off season. I can get a decent aerobic workout as well as practice my technique on the down hills. I have been getting about a 1000 miles a year and it does help a great deal, I can ski all day right from the beginning of the season.

 

[jimskime]

Ride my road bike into October then switch to mountain bike until ski season starts.

 

[ski the trees]

I recently tore my ACL for the second time, same knee.
Here's what I worked pretty well:

1. Biking. I completely agree this is the best, low-impact way to build stamina and strength. Running is really bad for your knees.

2. Balance Board. Just like the other poster mentioned, it provides a great core workout and a very noticeable amount of stability on the slopes. Strongly recommended.

3. Squats. They're boring but incredibly useful for building strength. Make sure your body is in proper alignment so you don't hurt your back and don't use with much weight until you feel comfortable.

4. Leg Press, leg curls. Hip abductor exercises.

That's it. Nothing fancy.

And for anyone looking for relief from chronic knee/joint pain, 1500mg glucosamine with chondroiton has really worked wonders for me. Think snow.

 

[jarrodski]

I had MCL issues that I resolved by losing a bunch of weight. after that happened, I noticed a huge difference in both my skiing and my overall mood. (the better mood probably coming from better skiing?) I ride a mountain bike at least 4 days a week for at least 2 hours at a shot. I do 50 push ups and 100 sit ups a day, as well as maintain a schedual of shoulder exercises from the surgery a couple years ago. All of that has less to do with anything else other than, that now when I crash, I can get up quicker. I can take a hit better. Which to me means I can continue to try new things, with less fear of falling. Huge to me. What I've noticed with my new found athleticism is that I fall less often, because there's less of me to throw around.

plus it's nice to get a full day on opening day, where ever that is.

 

[jarrodski]

3. Squats. They're boring but incredibly useful for building strength. Make sure your body is in proper alignment so you don't hurt your back and don't use with much weight until you feel comfortable.

QUOTE]


Agreed... really helps

 

[JimG.]

3. Squats. They're boring but incredibly useful for building strength. Make sure your body is in proper alignment so you don't hurt your back and don't use with much weight until you feel comfortable.

QUOTE]


Agreed... really helps

For a low impact alternative, I do what I call "stands" from a sitting position on my 75cm exercise ball in my workout posted here:

http://forums.alpinezone.com/17609-workout-thread.html

Basically, you sit on the ball, keep your back straight, and stand up using your legs only. Add weights for more burn.

 

[Brettski]

whip up a batch of margaritas

 

[Paul]

A few sets of 12oz. curls. Sometimes I mix it up by either switching hands, or upping the weight to 16oz. curls.

For real POWER, I do the 32 - 40oz. curls as well. Although much less frequently.