Core training & core fitness

Want to improve your skiing or snowboarding? Then core training to strengthen the muscles stabilizing your skeletal structure is what you are focussing on with core fitness.

Good core fitness ensures that the muscles in your pelvis, lower back, hips and abdomen work in harmony - this essential area of your body is involved in every movement you make, from bending down to tie your shoes to gliding down a black run. If, however, you have not been core training and your core fitness is poor, you are susceptible to poor posture, lower back pain and muscle injuries.

This is particularly crucial for winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding, as you will be working all four limbs as you fight for balance and control. It is therefore essential that you pay attention to this area in the months leading up to your ski or snowboarding trip.

This means more than simply doing a few sit-ups once a week - you need a variety of exercises that you perform several times a week.

There are loads of great exercises out there that will work this area. Some of the most effective are done on an exercise ball. Even the simple crunch becomes a real core strength builder when you add the instability of the ball.

All exercises should be performed with the abdominals pulled in tight, as though you are trying to pull your belly button towards your spine - and don't forget to breathe!

So know you have read the theory - why not check out some great exercises that will help you build your muscle strength and provide you with a good level of fitness. Exercises we feature include :
 

1. Bicycles
2. The Plank
3. Crunches on a ball

You can find all these exercise in our abs section and then why not check out some of our Fitness programs that we have designed for you to use pre-season in order to get yourself in tip top shape. You can download or email these for free.