Steve Haywood Health & Fitness

I have trained many people to prepare them either for their first skiing adventure or a return to their beloved sport after a lay off. Equally as important, I have trained people as part of their rehabilitation after some quite nasty injuries.

Skiing

By far the most common injury is to the ligaments of the knee, sometimes one ligament but occasionally all four. Skiing injuries do not tend to be slight (you may ache after a few falls but this is part of the sport), I am talking injuries that take months to recouperate from.

Skiiing, like all sports, should be for enjoyment. There will always be trepidation for a beginner, but also for people who are moving up to another level. Good preparation of the mind and body can enhance the enjoyment of skiing by giving confidence in the ability to take on the challenges that this technical sport demands.

The key to this preparation is to work on balance and core stability (this basically is the strength of the muscles of the torso). Training to a well thought out programme some 10-12 weeks before your holidays will greatly improve your capabilities. Without proper training the chances of an injury inducing fall are greatly increased, there will always be bad luck but I have first hand experience of seeing the benefits of improving balance, posture and strength.

Steve is giving pre-skiing-holiday training at Xscape gym in Castleford over the Winter season. Walk into the gym at Xscape or use the contact page here.