Skiing and snowboarding are some of the most popular winter activities in Sandpoint. If you’re a season pass holder then you know the magic of plowing through fresh powder, the majestic views, and the feeling of pure joy after you hit a personal milestone. That means you don’t want to miss any time on the slopes and you want to make the most out of every opportunity.
There can be a few issues that can cause you to lose out on either time or performance.
1. Lack of Stability
Lack of stability is going to be directly related to your muscles not working right. You are probably thinking that exercises to strengthen the legs is sufficient. You would be right if you only wanted 50% of your potential.
The problem is that you can’t strengthen what you aren’t using. By the time you reach 30, you have likely had some injuries in some way or another (for more information on how injuries hamper you after you heal check out this post). To get these muscles firing you need to tap into isometrics.
We recommend checking with your physical therapist before attempting this exercise to make sure it’s safe.
For example, if you push your knees into you hands while sitting and slowly build the resistance you can get your muscles to start working again. It works by encouraging your body to recruit dormant muscles to stabilize the spine. Many times the increase in strength is mind boggling.
2. Lack of Movement
In the same way you lose strength, you also lose movement. You feel like you can do the movement so you don’t realize what you’re doing. A trained Functional Manual Therapist can show you this issues, but if you want to start at home you may be able to find some issues.
I would recommend doing this in front of a mirror so you can see the issues better. Try these instructions:
- Get into your skiing/snowboarding position
- Lean your body like you’re moving down the slope
- If you move slowly you may find a region that is tight then go to step 6, if not go to step 4.
- Slowly move your hips in a circle, then repeat while squatting
- Look for something that doesn’t feel right or move right
- Pay attention to where you feel the tightness and that will give you a region you can stretch out
It can be hard to identify these things yourself which is why finding someone who can help you assess your movement and treat out the limitations can help you reach your potential.
So why are these 2 issues important? It’s because if you don’t have good stabilization or full movement then it’s very easy to get hurt and lose time on the snow, or you struggle to make that turn or maintain control.
If you’re interested in learning how to assess and get to optimal function, contact us. Our courses will help you improve your body awareness and skillset.