offseason fitness
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But I have also been on my bike - some good options here in Charlottesville
https://www.trailforks.com/region/heyward-community-forest/
https://www.trailforks.com/region/biscuit-run-county-park/
That's pretty good. I hike more than bike.
snapdragon wrote:
eye try to ride across the country before turkey day...about 20 miles at a time...took 160 rides last year...29er full squish pivot switchblade...how bout yewins...yew!
Hiking and biking all good for the legs. I do bike a lot from mid April to about June. But I like to swim in the "off season" - it sort of works the muscles all over; keeps things in check.
Mountain biking (IMO) is the best off season training option. Similar muscle groups and 100% similar sport as far as picking a line, seeing down the trail ahead of you, etc.
I do like to mix in running and lifting and think everyone should have other pursuits.
But as far as 1 for 1 best off season thing to do to keep in skiing shape, for me it's mountain biking.
Switchblade is a great bike too.
snapdragon wrote:
eye try to ride across the country before turkey day...about 20 miles at a time...took 160 rides last year...29er full squish pivot switchblade...how bout yewins...yew!
What I like to do after I get bored of MTB and hiking (and I do rather quickly / I totally get the biking thing...), is just walk a lot. Or light jog. Keeps the legs rolling and does enough lower body muscle work in preparation for the next season. Especially if you walk on a lot of inclines / declines.
I'm also a reformer pilates guy -- I go to solidcore three or four times a week ... have been since 2022. It's made a noticeable improvement in my skiing!
fosphenytoin wrote:
I started Pilates Reformers few weeks ago. It is good to strengthen my core, which is essential to skiing at a higher level. I also started yoga and swimming. Hope my endurance and stamina will be better by winter for skiing!
I've spent the late summer walking briskly uphill and briskly downhill at Hidden Valley, from the top down to the lodge, and back up again. Once or twice a week for a month and a half or so and that usually gets me where I need to be before the snow flies. I enjoy skiing a lot but I don't enjoy complex programmatic workouts. A bit of swimming added in there usually does it for me. Depends on what your definition of ski shape is, I guess. Or your current health and shape, naturally.
I realize from teaching skiing that core/chest (and their attitude/position in skiing form) is a major factor, but honestly for me it has always been in the legs, feet, and ankles. Strength that translates to rotor/pressure movement. But apart from "leaning forward" and head position, I mostly focused from the waist down with students. And I get that same exercise from jogging, walking, or swimming.
