Four exercises to kickstart your ski season

My clients already are hitting the slopes, but no worries — it’s not too late to add skiing-specific exercises into your routine. Give these four a try, working up to 2 to 3 sets of each exercise:

Modified single-leg squats: Stand on a bench or platform (optional — you also can do this from the floor, but it’s a little more challenging), with one foot on the platform. Bend supporting knee into a squat position, lifting and lowering. I tell my clients to pretend they’re standing on a dock at a lake at the end of May, dipping their toe in the water to see if it’s cold — you don’t want to fall in! Do 8 to 12 repetitions on each side.

Twisting planks: Get into a plank position on the floor, your hands directly below shoulders. From here, lift your right arm toward the ceiling, twisting your entire torso, your eye gaze following your hand. Repeat on the other side, alternating sides for a total of 10 repetitions each.

Resistance band walk: Stand in the middle of a resistance band, holding ends firmly at your hips. Step out to the right, being careful to keep foot pointed straight ahead (or better yet, toe in slightly). Step your left foot toward your right foot. Continue in this manner for 15 to 20 steps to the right, and then repeat toward the left.

Jump squats: Stand with feet a little wider than shoulder-distance apart. Squat down and then jump up, landing back on the floor with soft knees — the jumps should be spring-like and deliberate. Repeat for 10 to 15 repetitions.

Wendy Watkins

About Wendy Watkins

Wendy Watkins is a Bangor-based personal trainer, fitness coach, studio owner, and writer/editor. She is the author of The Complete Idiots Guide to Losing 20 Pounds in 2 Months. Visit her website at thrivebangor.com.