| SKIING is a sport that is hard on the body, | | | | advantage that they can be done anywhere. To |
| particularly as we tend to indulge in short bursts of a | | | | increase resistance, perform the exercises with dumb |
| week, or two weeks, writes Simon Moyes. | | | | bells or other weights. |
| No matter how many sports you participate in, or | | | | Leg lifts, which involve lying on your side and slowly |
| how regularly, skiing is a sport that needs dedicated | | | | lifting your leg up and down, are another good |
| preparation in order to make the most out of a | | | | exercise. They help strengthen the whole of the leg |
| week away. | | | | area and are also very useful for building up the hip |
| Although many forms of exercise will stimulate some | | | | muscles - stronger hip muscles will help give more |
| amount of muscle strengthening, if you are planning a | | | | support to the back and knees when skiing. A good |
| trip to the slopes, it will pay dividends to incorporate | | | | tip, if you want to increase resistance, is to wear |
| specific strengthening exercises into your regular | | | | your ski boot. |
| exercise routine. | | | | And before hitting the slopes remember to warm up |
| In the gym, the resistance machines, for example | | | | thoroughly. Most skiing injuries could easily be avoided |
| stairclimbers and cycling equipment, can be used to | | | | if a little time had been spent loosening the muscles |
| great effect. The weight machines are also useful, | | | | and joints and increasing suppleness. Stretch the |
| but make sure you exercise through the full range of | | | | hamstring, groin, calfs and lower spine to ensure that |
| motion to ensure that joint flexibility as well as | | | | the worst you get from any falls is a face full of |
| muscle strength is exercised. | | | | snow! |
| Squats are also an ideal way to prepare the lower | | | | Happy skiing. |
| half of your body for skiing and they have the | | | | |