Starting an exercise regime

Pas d’épaule déboitée

Originally uploaded by Delgoff.

It’s now roughly six weeks/ two months till the start of the season and time to start preparation for hitting the slopes, as one’s mind turns to the lardiness of one’s legs and the pain avoidance techniques of doing a few exercises.

There is nothing quite like skiing, so it’s going to hurt regardless, which is the best excuse to not bother, but a half hour a day now, building to an hour nearer the opening bell isn’t a bad idea.

It’s said cycling and squash are closest to the motion of skiing, running for cardio – but at what cost to the knees? Swimming must be an all round help, it’s just access to a pool that’s the clincher and they say core strength is also paramount – but I grew up in a time where the only thing to have a core was an apple, so I’m generationally leery, not to mention ignorant of what I’m supposed to do to build that up.

Still a wee bike ride a couple of times a week should be a good start.

Having a look round the web it seems these are some fairly efficacious exercises that do not requiring any equipment pick a number to do and build up at your own pace:

• Bunny hops – imagine or draw a straight line on the ground and jump from side to side over and along it.

• Wall sits – the classic, sit against the wall till it burns and then sit against the wall some more.

• Moving lunges – take a big step forward and dip down, back up, pause with feet together and repeat with the other leg.

• Squats – feet shoulder width apart dip as if going to sit in a chair, keeping your knees behind your toes, stand up.

By starting now you’ll be way ahead when you hit the slopes.