The following strength and performance tips come from one of our resident experts, Stuart Kremzner, MS, CSCS, FMSII, OS, RN, an exercise physiologist who has coached and raced in nordic skiing for over 20 years. Kremzner has trained/consulted with college athletic programs, elite teams, and athletes with the goal of improving athletic performance and injury prevention. When not working, he is running and skiing on the trails in New Hampshire or writing wax tips for the TOKO...
In the last year since she retired from biathlon, Germany's Andrea Burke (formerly Henkel) has been in a period of transition, taking classes and preparing for her big move to the U.S. while fitting in quality strength sessions whenever possible. “I really like to do [these] kind of programs for staying in shape and get some heart rate between studying,” she explains.
One of APU's newest members, Chelsea Holmes explains what exactly she does for strength training and how she tackles her weaknesses. "My strength sessions often address numerous muscle groups and modes of training and development within a single session," she says.
No, no, it's not paddle boating: stand-up paddle boarding requires balance, strength and technique, all things that could translate to improved skiing come winter. Plus, it's a fun cross-training option for oh-so-hot summer days.
Bump up your strength routine with gymnast rings -- and no, you don't need to be the next Arthur Nabarrete Zanetti, (wait, who's he?). FS contributor Katie Bono writes: "It’s fun, the rings are extremely portable and versatile, and the exercises develop strength, coordination, and stability. However, the main benefit is that ring training is HARD. Like REALLY HARD."
Want to go the extra 10 percent to improve your skiing? CXC Elite Team coach Bill Pierce outlines a recipe for success -- one that states foam rolling, stretching and massage are a must, along with balance and agility drills.
The New York Times health blog “Well” recently posted a piece on core strength, and the potential risks to the back. Many standard core practices are called into question, and Stuart McGill, a highly regarded professor of spine biomechanics at the University of Waterloo in Canada and a back-pain clinician, provides some sample exercises that are “back-friendly.”