What exercises should you do for downhill skiing?

Answer

Downhill ski racers need a strong butt and legs. Therefore, focus your exercises on your lower half. You want to bulk up your thighs and rearend. Most professional downhill ski racers end up with "tree stumps" for legs.

Focus on strength training and do squats in particular. The "wall sit" is also a great exercise. Put your back to the wall and bend down until your knees are a ninety degree angle. Try to maintain this position with your back to the wall for a minute. It is very difficult, but builds strength.

Work on the Leg Press machine as well. Basically do several different leg strengthing exerices to improve leg muscle defintion.

You also want to have core strength in your abdominals because your ski turns originate from your body's center. Do situps daily and crunches daily.

You also need to have endurance. Strive to run on the treadmill and on the elliptical trainer. However, don't do too much cardio because you don't want to be too lean.

First answer by JillianG. Last edit by JillianG. Contributor trust: 292 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 85 [recommend question]

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