Stretching is one of the most under-utilized techniques for improving athletic performance, preventing sports injury and properly rehabilitating certain injury. It is very easy to head to the lounge for après ski treat and skip the stretch routine.
Avoid making the mistake of thinking that something as simple as stretching won’t be effective. Below are a few very beneficial stretches for snow skiing; all stretches are great and these five are a great place to start.
Lying Trunk Twist Stretch: While lying on your back, bend your knees and let them fall to one side. Keep your arms out to the side and let your back and hips rotate with your knees keeping both shoulder blades and hands flat on the ground.
Half Kneeling Quad Stretch: In a half-kneeling position place one knee down and the other foot on the ground with your knee bent at 90 degrees. If needed, hold on to something to keep your balance, tighten your glutes and abs then lean forward to get a stretch in the front of the hip.
Standing Toe-up Achilles Wall Stretch: Stand upright and place the ball of your foot onto a step or raised object. Bend your knee and lean forward until you feel a stretch in your calf.
Chest Stretch: Place left hand on wall with finger pointing behind you. Slowly walk backwards until stretching forearm and then take small steps turning in place away from left arm until you can also feel it in the chest and bicep. Hold this position before switching sides and repeat.
Hamstring Stretch: Laying flat on the ground, with both legs straight, wrap a band around one foot and pull it towards your chest. Drive the heel of your other leg in to the group and make sure both hips stay on the ground.
The mountains are up and running in full force so in order to take advantage of consecutive ski days without succumbing to an injury, we strongly recommend incorporating a simple stretch routine, as it is key to surviving the winter ski season.
Carla McCallum,
Product Manager
Innovative Fitness Kitsilano
www.InnovativeFitness.com
Like IF – www.Facebook.com/InnovativeFitness
Follow IF – @IFDifference
Watch IF – www.YouTube.com/InnovativeFitness1
Contact Innovative Fitness today for your FREE consultation and personal training session
