Boarding and Achy?
Are you one
of those people who go for a ride and
then can’t walk the next day?
Snowboarding can be awesome fun when you’re on the
hill but if your bodies aren’t prepared for the beating they
take, the next day
is definitely not fun. Prepare your bodies before you even get to the
hill by
doing a few simple exercises, no equipment needed, to help strengthen
some of
those muscles that have been on hiatus. Try simple body
weighted squats,
stand with your feet shoulder width apart and squat down as if you were
sitting
down into a chair and make sure your knees do not go over your toes.
Simply go
down for the count of 2 seconds and up for 2 seconds, repeat this 12-15
times
and do it 3 times a day. This exercise strengthens your
entire lower
body, quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteal muscles, all important while
you're
enjoying the sport you love.
Having a strong core is also important in helping
maintain your balance and take the pressure off your lower back as you
glide
down the mountain. To increase your core stability ensure
that as you are
doing those endless crunches your belly button is sucked in towards
your spine
and your back is flat against the floor. Having your belly button in
this
position throughout the day and during any other movements will help
your core
strength overall.
As you are enjoying your day of fun on the mountain
make sure that you drink plenty of fluid to replenish all that sweat
lost due
to your hard work. And after a good day on the slopes it is
quite common
to want to jump in a nice hot tub, relax and warm up but in fact,
putting ice
on your sore spots is more beneficial and helps your muscles to recover
quicker
so you can get back on the mountain the next day. As for
warming up, try
a nice cup of hot chocolate instead.
Enjoy the slopes!!!
Christine
Leslie RMT
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