The Workout Thread

[Sky]

So, who is doing what to get ready for the ski season?

I started on the eliptical machine a week ago in prep for getting back into the gym last week.

Weighed in @ 232 lb. Not bad for me @ 6'9". A little less than I weghed last year...238. The weight is fine, it's the condition of the body I'm working on...weight follows.

Work has been pretty demanding so I've been working through lunch most of the summer...missed all the college summer hire kids playing hoops. :<

So last week I got back on the courts @ lunch (twice). No weights yet, no sprints...just twice around the 400M track between games.

Soon I'll be working out with my rugby-coaching workout nut. We'll be doing all sorts of sprints, core, weights, plyo through December. I'll update this thread as I progress.

It worked great last year. My first time out I was able to stay on the snow all I wanted...no leg fatigue.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I want to get down 15 pounds for ski season. I'm walking alot more..lifting weights..do crunches..stairstep type exercise..and hiking..The tough thing is taking it easy on food and beer...like many on here..I'm in much better shape during ski season than in summer..

 

[deadheadskier]

The rowing machnine is calling and soon, I'll be on it 25 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Works for cardio as well as core and leg muscle strengthening. IMHO there is no better one stop shopping work out than a rowing machine.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

The rowing machnine is calling and soon, I'll be on it 25 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Works for cardio as well as core and leg muscle strengthening. IMHO there is no better one stop shopping work out than a rowing machine.

I never thought of that..my parents have a rowing machine in their basement..

 

[deadheadskier]

I never thought of that..my parents have a rowing machine in their basement..

Use it. Ever know anyone who did crew in high school or college? They typically are the best conditioned athletes out there, both cardio wise and strength wise. They literally work on every single muscle group possible. Elyptical's are good too, but don't offer the resitence training that a rower does. I got mine the middle of last winter and within 3 weeks, the difference in my skiing was dramatic. I felt as strong as I typically used to after 75 days out on the hill when I used to be able to pull 100+ day seasons.

 

[L2RAFO]

http://forums.alpinezone.com/17311-just-got-skiers-edge.html

 

[L2RAFO]

Not bad for me @ 6'9". .

Wow!

I don't think I've ever seen someone that tall on the hill.

How did you're basketball coach ever let you out of his sights long enough to start skiing?

 

[trtaylor]

I have a stability ball routine I've been doing 3 days a week. Riding my bike on the off days.

 

[deadheadskier]

http://forums.alpinezone.com/17311-just-got-skiers-edge.html

I've always been intrigued by these machines for obvious reasons and I'm sure they offer an okay work out. But for me, I'm all about getting it done quick. I'm not one who is a gym rat. I have difficulty motivating myself, so when I do, it's essential that I get an efficient work out. Guess that's why I love the rower. It combines everything and if you go at hard for 25 minutes, 5 days a week, it will whip your ass into shame in three or four weeks. Great investment for me.

 

[Nor'easter]

P90X. Also known as Power 90 Extreme. Maybe you've seen the infomercial on TV. If not, you can find out more at MillionDollarBody.com. A 90 day workout program along with a diet plan for life. I've lost 55 lbs AND I am easily in the best shape of my life AND I'm only halfway done with the program. My brother completed the "lean" version and he looks like somebody off of a muscle magazine. Oh yea, the family doctor is doing it too, I just found out (what better endorsement is that?). If you've got the discipline, you can change your life.

 

[JD]

many many many miles on the single speed MTB. Some climbing and hiking as well.

 

[Sky]

Wow!

I don't think I've ever seen someone that tall on the hill.

How did you're basketball coach ever let you out of his sights long enough to start skiing?

HEH! I get that a lot. I don't recognize myself as being "that" tall. Perspective....but I do recognize that most folks don't see it my way...judging by the "shock" on their faces.

As for hoops....I still play, but I never had a coach worth a damn. Funny, but it was about the worst coach (HS) that recommended I attend a camp. I didn't learn much at it...they showed me nothing special. BUt at least "someone" thought to mention "camp".

I was too "slow" in college and too light (just over 200 lb), so I played freshman hoops and that was it. College coach was about the worst ever. I played intramural the rest of my college days and really had a good time. Really played a lot in the service (Italy)...and actually got much better from playing there.

I still play @ lunch @ work when I can. Good stuff.

The skiing sort of levels the playing field for me (or for you depending on your perspective). Although the tough part is ski length. Egad I hate long skis. I'm on 178's and love it. It's like driving a Mini! But I keep getting shop advice to go bigger.

 

[Sky]

I'm not one who is a gym rat. I have difficulty motivating myself, so when I do, it's essential that I get an efficient work out.

My Rugby-Coach workout pal is definitely a gym rat. I'm not. But with him keeping me going...I'm pretty regular with the workouts.

He works with some guys who design workouts...so he's constantly modifying our routine. Keeps it interesting.

But I don't have the interest in creating a "new body" for myself. I definitely know I can't keep it up, so I "maintain" my weight and try to stay active between hoops@lunch and the elyptical machine @ home...and the occasional bout with the weights just for tone.

The running (either sprints or distance) is a touchstone for me. If I hit the three-mile mark in under 30 minutes...I'm good. Distance is good and the time is OK and I know where I am regarding my "conditioning".

It's all good.

When we work legs...we grab dumbells and jump up onto a "bench"...side to side five times...three sets. Leg throw-downs. We even used a heavy ball...squat down and explode up throwng it over your head (behind yourself) to the guy behind you. He lets it land, does the same thing...we leap-frog down the football field a few times. Prolly look like a couple of idiots.

The ones that get me are the "chain jumping". One legged hops side to side over the sideline for 15 itterations, switch legs for 15...them 15 broad jumps with a pause on each landing (like holding a tuck). OOOF! Three sets of those...THEN sprints.

We split the sprints up. Somtimes 100M, sometimes 400M...somtimes sprint for 20 seconds and jog for 40 seconds for 20 minutes. Rarely the same thing two days in a row. Throw in some basketball (focus on the running vs the scoring)...and we get into pretty good shape.

 

[Beetlenut]

I'm just going to keep swimming. Ever since I started swimming a few years ago, my skiing has been much easier and more fun. It's great for the carido, and with short swim fins, you can really target the ski muscles in the quads. :wink:

 

[skibum1321]

I've been biking a lot this summer. Lately I've been biking 3+ days per week with a hill workout on one of those days. I've also been going to the gym about 2 days per week with some elliptical and core workouts when I'm there.

Nothing truly prepares the ski muscles, as I'm always a bit sore at the beginning of the year. Unfortunately, it tends to be different muscles in cycling and skiing, but the cycling definitely helps the cardio and the balance as well.

I am probably in the minority here, but I think I tend to be in better all-around shape in the summer.

 

[andyzee]

A lot of hiking and biking, mostly hiking this year.

 

[Phildozer]

I've been using my Concept II rowing machine.

I try to do it at least five times per week for at least 10K meters.

Love it.

 

[sledhaulingmedic]

Use it. Ever know anyone who did crew in high school or college? They typically are the best conditioned athletes out there, both cardio wise and strength wise.

Very true. I worked for http://www.gentlegiant.com/ for a while in my late 30's. Larry, being a rowing heavy, hired lots of rowers. The Head of the Charles always had a lot of his empoyees in winning boats. Tough to keep up with those lads.

I don't change my routine much pre-season. I hit the weights in a cycle of Day 1: Chest and shoulders, abs and cardio. Day 2: Back and arms, cardio and abs. Day 3: Legs, Cardio, abs. I'll start to add in the Skiers edge. While its great for balance, core and specific muscles, I have a tough time getting a good cardio workout, except for when I use the powder/mogul master.

 

[marcski]

See here: http://forums.alpinezone.com/8932-bike-log-70.html

I ride 5-6 days in season and I try to get in 2-4 during winters depending on snow cover.

 

[Hawkshot99]

I start waking up early for school. Gets me used to those horrible morning drives.

Getting in shape? Well round is already a shape........:wink: