It’s the end of September already and there’s a chill in the air and a sprinkling of snow on top of the mountains. It’s this time of year, when the last vestiges of summer start to fade away that I really start to get excited about skiing.
Autumn for me is all about preparation for the winter – from clothes and equipment through to physical prep. The thought of the ski season being just around the corner helps to keep my motivation up as the days get shorter and colder.
As I go from summer to autumn, I turn my fitness focus from cardio and stabilization to strength and power so that I can peak at the start of the winter.
How should your fitness focus change moving into autumn and winter? It depends on what your goals are. Take a look at the different skiers below to find out what your autumn fitness focus should be:
The Ski Instructor
You’re already a qualified instructor, or you’re going to be training for your qualifications this winter. You will be spending almost all day, every day on the mountain skiing - whether it’s training hard for your exams or teaching kids on the beginner slopes. You need your body to be in peak physical shape to cope with the demands of a very active lifestyle.
Your fitness programme needs to focus on increasing strength, particularly in the legs and core so you can make the technical improvements you want in your skiing.
You need to work on your strength endurance so you can ski long hours day after day.
You need to improve and maintain your flexibility and mobility so that you reduce the likelihood of getting injured.
Your recommended programme: 12 Weeks Ski Fit, CHF120
The Fair-Weather Skier
You go skiing once a year with your family, you don’t mind the skiing if it’s nice and sunny but really, you’re there for the cosy chalet the long lunches with a glass (or two) of rosé and a spot of Aprés. Your main goal with your skiing is to keep up with the kids, tackle the odd black that the rest of the group feel is necessary without panicking and not fall over too much.
Your fitness programme needs to focus on increasing flexibility and mobility to help you avoid injury.
You need to improve your strength endurance to avoid that achy leg feeling.
You need to work on core stability and balance to reduce the likelihood of falling.
Your recommended programme: 6 Weeks Ski Ready, CHF72
The Weekend Warrior
You have a busy job but you don’t let that stop you – you’ve already got several ski weekends planned for the winter and you plan to make the most of them. You’ll ski from first lift ‘til last and you’re looking to push yourself on the slopes before you arrive at Aprés. You need your body to be ready to push hard for two or three days without feeling completely broken by the time you get back to the office.
Your fitness programme needs to fit in around your busy schedule with short workouts that are easy to squeeze into your day.
You need to improve your cardio and strength endurance so that you enjoy your last run of the day as much as the first.
You need to maintain good flexibility and mobility to reduce your chance of injury so you can enjoy every trip this winter.
Your recommended programme: 8 Week Fitness Boost, CHF96
The First Time Skier
It’s happened, you’ve finally been persuaded by your friends/other half to give skiing a go. You’re a bit nervous but keen to give it a try. You’ve got some lessons booked and you want to make the most of them by making your fitness won’t hold you back.
You need your fitness programme to improve your overall fitness including cardio and strength so you can focus on learning without getting too tired.
You need to improve your core stability and balance to help cope with the new feeling of sliding around.
You need to increase your flexibility and mobility so that you can untangle yourself and get up when you fall.
Your recommended programme: 6 Weeks Ski Ready, CHF72
The Powder Hound
You’re on a mission to ski as much power as you can this winter. You’re keen to explore more off-piste skiing and improve your skills in bumpy and variable terrain. You might want to have some ski touring adventures as well to really get out there! You need to make sure your fitness matches your adventure ambitions so you can focus on enjoying the pow!
You need your fitness programme to really increase your cardio fitness so that ski touring at altitude doesn’t leave you too exhausted to enjoy the ski down.
You need to work on your core stability and strength so that you can handle unexpected bumps and changes in terrain.
You need to improve your flexibility and mobility so that if you do get thrown off by an unexpected bump, you’ll be able to jump right back up.
Your recommended programme: 12 Weeks Ski Fit, CHF120
So which one are you?
Still not sure? Get in touch for no-strings help and advice on what kind of fitness programme will work best for you.
Comments