We bet you’ve been waiting impatiently for weeks for the moment when you can finally get on your skis or jump on your snowboard and start carving the slopes of Grandvalira and Vallnord.
But if you want to make the most of your time on the snow, you need to prepare your body so it can withstand a full day on the mountain.
Whether it’s swimming, running, elliptical machines or cycling, it’s very important to get your body accustomed to long sessions of cardio. Start with short sessions of 10 or 15 minutes and extend them as your training progresses.
The torso is a key area to strengthen because it is essential for balance and, if you freeride, for performing tricks. You can start with some push-ups, followed by some classic crunches and then finish off with some “bicycle” crunches (lie on the ground with your head slightly raised, then extend and bend your legs alternately without letting them touch the ground).
When preparing for skiing, the body parts that require the most training are the legs. A perfect way to tone your thighs is performing 3 sets of squats with 12-15 repetitions in each set.
To strengthen your lower legs, nothing beats calf raises. Stand straight, stretch your arms above your head and slowly lift your heels until all your body weight is on your toes. Do as many repetitions as you can and, if you want to add some extra difficulty to the exercise, hold some sort of dumbbell or weight.
Get your gym gear on, grab your water bottle and start training so you can be 100% ready to ski in Andorra this winter.