The ski season is underway and many have already started hitting the slopes. With the limited number of activities available to us this winter, downhill skiing is a perfect way to get some fresh air, enjoy the snow, and get moving.<\/p>\n
Although downhill skiing may seem simple at first glance, it is a physically demanding sport and a great way to exercise your lower body. There are\u00a0<\/span>significant<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>demands<\/span>\u00a0on the\u00a0<\/span>abdominals<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>glutes<\/span>, and\u00a0<\/span>thigh<\/span>\u00a0muscles, as\u00a0<\/span>well<\/span>\u00a0as\u00a0<\/span>those<\/span>\u00a0of the\u00a0<\/span>ankle<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Skiing<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>also<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>puts<\/span>\u00a0a lot of stress on the\u00a0<\/span>knees, although it is not bad for this joint.<\/span><\/p>\n Due to the\u00a0<\/span>physical<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>demands<\/span>\u00a0of the sport,\u00a0<\/span>poor<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>physical<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>preparation<\/span>\u00a0can lead to sore muscles or\u00a0<\/span>irritate<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>your<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>knees<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>during<\/span>\u00a0or\u00a0<\/span>after<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>skiing<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Strengthening<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>exercises<\/span> and a good warm-up are important in <\/span>order<\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0<\/span>better<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>prepare<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>your<\/span>\u00a0body and\u00a0<\/span>avoid<\/span>\u00a0pain.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A\u00a0<\/span>great<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>exercise<\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0<\/span>include<\/span>\u00a0in\u00a0<\/span>your<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>strengthening<\/span>\u00a0routine and warm up\u00a0<\/span>is<\/span>\u00a0the squat. This\u00a0<\/span>exercise<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>is<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>very<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>similar<\/span>\u00a0to the positions\u00a0<\/span>you<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>find<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>yourself<\/span>\u00a0in\u00a0<\/span>when<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>downhill<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>skiing<\/span>. The squat\u00a0<\/span>provides<\/span>\u00a0an\u00a0<\/span>overall<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>strengthening<\/span>\u00a0of the\u00a0<\/span>lower<\/span>\u00a0body and\u00a0<\/span>recruits<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>muscles\u00a0<\/span>that<\/span>\u00a0are important\u00a0<\/span>when<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>skiing<\/span>.<\/span> You can perform a few repetitions of this exercise while waiting for your first ride. Also, during your first descent, exaggerate the movement and turn it into a squat in order to move in a greater amplitude and better prepare your muscles.<\/span><\/p>\n If\u00a0<\/span>you<\/span>\u00a0are not sure how to\u00a0<\/span>perform<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>this<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>movement<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>well<\/span>\u00a0or\u00a0<\/span>want<\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0<\/span>learn<\/span>\u00a0more about the squat,\u00a0<\/span>we<\/span>\u00a0invite\u00a0<\/span>you<\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0<\/span>read our column on this exercise<\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The ski season is underway and many have already started hitting the slopes. With the limited number of activities available to us this winter, downhill […]<\/p>\n