Power for the powder
Whether you are a beginner or more advanced on the snow, having a strong, stable core is the beginning of a great winter season. Pilates is all about isolating and building deep abdominal muscles and strength that will create a robust and resilient body. You can expect Pilates to train you to engage your core muscles correctly, so your skiing and snowboarding movements start from an effective base. In fact, core strength power is so central to the benefits of Pilates, you’ll see it’s a common theme behind many of the reasons Pilates is perfect for snow!
Strengthen your back
The lower back is often overused (and under trained) for skiers and snowboarders. Fatigue and poor core stabilization can cause the hip, pelvis, and lower spine to be thrown out of position, which causes undue strain and muscle imbalance. Pilates will help train your body to stabilize the pelvis and keep the spine in a neutral position to cope with the dynamic, ever-changing skiing and snowboarding stances. Expect increased energy and efficient movement making for a safer, less fatigued day on the slopes.
Carve up the snow
By strengthening your legs, back, and core, you will be able to improve your edging as you transfer power and energy to your skis or board. Pilates offers focused and targeted exercise to intensify your leg power for increased confidence to safely lean into turns and create graceful moves on the snow! If you feel at all out of control or catch an edge on ice, the strength you have developed with Pilates will allow you to safely maneuver your way back to a stable and upright position.
Recover and avoid injury
Skiing and snowboarding are unique in the demands on moving your body from side to side as not many other sports require this repetitive motion to move forward. A poorly conditioned body or past muscular or skeletal injury can compromise these movements and put you at risk for injury.
Pilates exercises designed for winter sports will help increase strength and flexibility in the large muscle groups, such as the quadriceps, but also train more subtle ligaments, fibers, and muscles in the knees and other vulnerable areas. In practicing Pilates, you will also learn focus that will help bring your body’s overall structure back into balance to avoid overstraining knees and hips or aid in helping you as you compensate your body and balance to prevent a fall. Pilates can help you create resilience against hurt or harm!
Improve your form
As with any sport, you are looking to invest time and effort to not only stay safe but also improve your skills! Not many people take up an activity and hope to remain at the same ability level for long. Pilates can truly be a key to improving your skills because it offers comprehensive strength training coupled with improved balance, flexibility, and agility. Pilates will develop your body’s conditioning but the strength and focus gained will also build your confidence and help you to advance your skiing and snowboarding technique and coordination!
If you’re looking for a robust and safe winter snow season, join us at Uncommon Practice Pilates. We offer targeted winter sports training sessions that will build your core, hone your balance, and strengthen your body so you can enjoy and improve on the snow this year!