Cross Country Ski Training - How to become a XC Skiier...
Cross Country Ski Training - The basic facts!
Cross country skiing is completely different from what you experience during downhill skiing. Yes, you use some of the same techniques, but unlike downhill skiing, where you allow gravity to do the work, you must propel yourself throughout the woods, fields and anywhere else you are cross country skiing. No matter how long the distance is, you need to get yourself into shape in order to partake in this activity. It doesn't need to be winter in order to train for this, which is why you can train for cross country any time of the year. |
This way, you can prepare your body during the summer months and by the time your skiing trip comes about, or by the time winter hits, you'll be more than ready to perform.
First of all, you need to learn and master the proper techniques for skiing cross country. Because it is a bit different from downhill skiing it does require you to learn a few new tricks of the trade. If you have never skied before you need to start from scratch, but you should find it isn't as complicated as what you might initially believe. Push and glide movements, along with how to properly stay on the skis is essential towards ensuring you can perform the necessary skiing movements. Once you have the basically techniques down it is time to ready your body for the skiing adventure. Flow is very important when it comes to cross country. The flow helps make all of your movements graceful and without effort. You don't want to expel too much energy when skiing, as this is just going to wear you down and cause you to grow tired far too quickly. The flow does go along with the techniques, although you can't master the flow of cross country until after you have skiing basics down. Distance training is vitally important. You don't want to hop onto the skis, only to make it a half mile and realize you are completely spent. You can start by simply jogging every day when there isn't any snow outside. This helps build your endurance, which allows you to last longer during the activity. There are also elliptical machines, which are similar to the same motion as skiing, so you don't have to be completely out of your element when you finally start skiing outside. You also need to work your core. A large amount of your strength comes from your abdominal muscles, which is going to props you further. Without a strong core you can still ski, although it is far more difficult. With cross country skiing, the more prepared and more in shape you are, the better off you are. |