FITNESS FOCUS WITH
Snozone
The Snozone team is here to help skiers and snowboarders realise the year-round health benefits that can be
gained from snowsports
Snozone, Europe’s largest indoor ski slope operator, has taught over three million people to ski and snowboard since 2000. With three centres in the UK (Milton Keynes, Yorkshire and Basingstoke), it offers snow lovers across the country the opportunity to learn to ride from scratch, develop existing skills, improve snowsports fitness and simply have fun in the snow with friends and family.
The Snozone team encourages guests to get fitter, stay leaner and improve in the sports they love, all year round (the centres are open 364 days a year).
As Club Members will attest, skiing and snowboarding offer a mix of weight bearing and cardiovascular exercise. Being such complete sports, your entire skeletal and muscular systems receive a workout while skiing and boarding, burning some 400 calories per hour. Further benefits include:
Increased bone density, helping to stave off the onset of osteoporosis as you age.
The increase of lean muscle mass, which promotes a higher metabolic rate.
Improved heart health and higher levels of oxygenated blood.
Increased levels of endorphins.
The team at Snozone has shared the following exercises for Members to practice at their local indoor snow centre. These drills will develop your skills and, when performed regularly, provide lasting health benefits by improving your muscle strength, core strength, aerobic ability, balance and posture.
SKI SKATING
Complete this exercise on a flat surface at the bottom or top of the snow slope. While standing, balance over one of your feet, push forward with the opposite ski and follow by the original balanced ski, gaining a forward movement with rhythm. Repeat this for a period
of two to three minutes.
Results: This exercise will improve aerobic ability, muscle strength and core strength.
ONE SKI BALANCE
Complete this exercise during your descent on a gradient that you are comfortable with. As you enter a turn, lift your top ski off the snow, leaving the front tip on the surface. By maintaining this balance throughout the turn, you will balance on the lower ski with good posture maintained over the lower foot. Once you master the exercise, you could try lifting the upper ski completely off the snow. If that works, then continue skiing with one ski only.
Results: With a focus on posture, balance and core strength, you will build strength in your core and leg muscles while developing good posture and balance.
PENGUIN WALK
Complete this exercise on a flat surface at the bottom or top of the snow slope. With both feet strapped in, lean on one foot while moving your opposing foot 45 degrees directly in front of you. Next, balance on the new foot while completing the same action with the previous resting foot. You can repeat this while moving in a forward direction. Repeat for two to three minutes.
Once you get moving, you will realise why this is named the penguin walk!
Results: This will improve aerobic ability, core strength and muscle power. It’s a great exercise to warm up your core and leg muscles.
STATIC EDGE ‘BUNNY’ HOPS
Complete this exercise during your descent on a gradient you are comfortable with. While positioned on your toe edge, slide down the hill facing up the slope. Your body should be square to the snowboard. Come to a stop, then hop once back up the hill. Upon landing, continue your slide. Repeat this while travelling down the hill. You can progress this by hopping back up the hill two or three times before you continue the descent. Once you have mastered this exercise, try it by facing down the hill and hop back up the hill backwards on your heel edge.
Results: Improved posture, balance and core strength. These improvements will allow you to become a more complete snowboarder.
All illustrations accompanying this feature were drawn by Amanda Barks you can find more of her work on our shop with more products soon to come! You can also follow her on Instagram