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Try Some New Winter Sports Take advantage of winter by trying the old and the new: snowshoeing and
snowboarding. To get in shape for those two sports (as well as downhill skiing), go
aerobic
with activities such as treadmill running, stair climbing, biking and
jumping
rope. Also, use interval training for stamina.
Snowshoeing can burn up to 400 calories an hour, and boasts no lifts, no lines and no lessons. To learn the techniques of snowboarding, I recommend taking lessons. Without them, expect to spend five or six days acquiring a basic sense of security on the slopes. These sports-specific training exercises also will help you prepare:
Snowshoeing is right for everyone and today's snowshoes are lighter and cheaper than the old wooden ones. Another winter activity that burns calories (up to 400 an hour) and is great fun is snowshoeing. This age-old art is back in vogue as a family-friendly way to enjoy the snow. Why? No lifts, no lines, no lessons! Says Dave Mengle, manager of Eastern Mountain Sports in Vermont: "If you can walk, you can snowshoe. The learning curve is virtually non-existent, and your options of where to go are limitless." The movement itself resembles a natural walking stride, allowing ease of movement and the ability to change your gait at any time (which is important if continuous repetitive movements irritate your muscles or joints). You can tour in ungroomed city parks, at Nordic ski parks with groomed trails, along country roads, or on golf courses or your favorite hiking or biking trail. Snowshoeing requires only one piece of simple, inexpensive equipment. Older snowshoes are wooden and handmade, with lots of straps, while newer models use only one strap across your foot and one over your heel. Prices range from $50 to $100. Although hiking poles are not required, they are helpful for snowshoeing over hills. To get in shape for snowshoeing and snowboarding, as well as downhill skiing, think aerobic training. That involves maintaining a heart rate within your training zone for at least 20 minutes. Some aerobic activities: treadmill running, stair climbing, biking, jumping rope. You can improve your slopeside stamina with interval training. That means little more than simply running (for instance) at high intensity (perhaps 90% of your maximum heart rate) for two minutes, then at a lower intensity (say, down to 70%) for two minutes for the target repetitions, perhaps 5 to 10. Before hitting the slopes, try these stretches to loosen up your leg muscles:
For more information on snowshoes as well as a list of snowshoe events throughout the winter visit www.atlassnowshoe.com. Stephanie Oakes is a fitness correspondent for Discovery Health Channel, a contributing editor for USA Weekend Magazine and the LA Times, and appears on NBC's 'Today in New York'. She can be reached at soakes@beststuff.com. [] Similar |
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