|
10
Totally Unhealthy Eating Behaviors To Avoid!
10
Totally Unhealthy Eating Behaviors To Avoid!
4
Secrets to A Flat Stomach
Take
Control of Your Metabolism
Walking
for Fat Loss?
Weight
Problems - Facts You May Not Know
Don't
Rush Weight Loss
The
Fountain of Youth Within US!
The
Fitness Pyramid
True
Organic revealed
Five
Fast Food Fixes
Nutrition
as an Attention Deficit Disorder
How
To Get Slim With Healthy Eating Habits
Fitness
For Golfers
Sensible
Diet Tips
5
Fitness Myths
Health
Spas: Exercise Your Rights
Energy
Nutrition
Energy
Nutrition
Energy
Nutrition
Listen
To Your Body Talk
Who's
Responsible For Your Health?
The
Benefits of Stretching
When
Disease Makes Sense
Real
Muscle Real Fast!
Health
Information
Health
Information
Success
with Strength Training
Eat
Fat to Burn Fat
Exercise
on Long Flights Essential
|
Ski Fitness Fundamentals
As ski season
approaches, many enthusiastic snow sliders will flock to their fitness
centers. Eager to avoid the dreaded "thigh burn", some may
perform countless sets on the leg extension machine, often at weight loads
that would make Arnold terminate his workout. But is this really
effective? Maybe not.
Where do the primary movements of skiing begin? In the legs? Well, no, not
really. The 4 fundamental skills of Alpine skiing are Balance, Edge,
Pressure and Rotary. Edge control involves a tipping action of the feet.
As the skiers center of mass passes over the skis, pressure is increased.
Then, to control the direction of the turn, rotary movements are used.
The key element that allows this sequence to occur with dynamic fluidity,
is balance. Ski turns are empowered by your deep core stabilizers. The
actual movement begins in the feet and ankles. Pure logic dictates that a
ski fitness program should enhance balance, proprioception, and
biomechanics of the feet.
Performing any traditional leg exercise on the Sissel Sitfit is an
excellent way to integrate balance and proprioception with strength
training. The "bumpy" side of the Sitfit imitates the uneven
surfaces that skiers are sometimes faced with.
Edging and pressure movements can be practiced on the Sitfit. I like to
use two Sitfits. Come down into a skiers "tuck" position. Shift
your weight, from the pinky toe of your right foot and the big toe on your
left foot, to the pinky toe on your left foot and the big toe on your
right foot. Some professional skiers use the disc to break in new ski
boots.
Since the sitfits are a relatively inexpensive product, its a good idea to
purchase a few of them. For agility and proprioception, place a few of
them in a circle. Step from disc to disc, maintaining postural alignment.
The transitional balance you gain from this exercise is very beneficial
for skiing. Have fun!
Lisa Marie Mercer has been a fitness professional since 1973. She is
certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, The Cooper Clinic,
and the PhysicalMInd Institute. Lisa is the fitness coach for the Epicski
Academy, a 4-day ski clinic , which features some of the top ski
instructors in North America. For details, see http://www.epicski.com/
Visit Lisa at http://www.ski-fitness.net/
Lisa Marie Mercer
|
