Sporting Ideas: Getting Ready To Hit The Slopes This Winter

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By Mia Bolaris-Forget

It’s beginning to look a lot like ski season. Well, at least it’s beginning to feel a lot like ski season. And, for many of us that means snow more excuses for getting back into shape of a fun-filled season of bbqs and backyard lounging.

According to experts the best way to bounce back into shape and on the slopes is by (adopting) the standard sit-up exercise with four simple adjustments.

1. Keep feet flat on the floor instead of tucked or hooked under something.

2. Fold your arms across your chest. This encourages you to use your stomach muscles to lift yourself (off the floor) instead of pushing yourself (off the floor) with your head.

3. Keep you chin tucked

4. Lift yourself only partially off the floor (and not into a full upright sitting position). Lifting entirely into a sitting position does nothing for your muscles. Instead come to about 8 inches off the floor, maintain the stance for a few seconds, then lower yourself slowly back onto the floor.

Now that you’re ready to hit the slopes here are a few techniques for picking up speed while “gracefully” gliding down the hilltops.

· Tuck your bottom forward to improve balance and ankle flex. To tuck, merely pull forward and upward on the perineum (the base of the torso just between the anus and the genitals) until you upper thigh muscles gently (engage). A tucked rear redistributes and realigns the center of gravity. Plus, the ankles tend to flex more naturally instead of straightening, which they tend to do when your bottom sticks out.

· Men usually have wider (broader) shoulders and trimmer hips than women, giving them a higher center of gravity. When skiing, men tend to fall forward, while women are more inclined to fall back. The easiest “remedy” is raising the ski boot heel for women and lowering it for men.

Long Island Travel & Leisure Articles > Sporting Ideas: Getting Ready To Hit The Slopes This Winter