Keep Fit And Have Fun!

Every summer I commit to staying in shape so that I’m not struggling to fit into my long johns and keep up with the cool kids when the snow flies: then patio season happens and every workout ends with a BBQ and all the beer. This year, however, I’m serious. Below are some of the activities I’ll be doing to keep fit and have fun while I wait for winter.

Cardio is key

Your heart is a vital organ, but it’s also a muscle. Just like your quads and your hammies, if it’s not worked it will weaken over time. Keeping your cardiovascular system in good working order over the summer means you will be able to ski harder and faster right out of the gate when the season swings back around. It means you won’t be the one who has to “sit this one out” or “take a groomer lap” or “cry silently on the chairlift” while everyone else crushes it on opening day.

Trail running is a fantastic place to start. It uses many of the same muscle groups as skiing, so it’s not a tough transition in early spring, and not not weather dependent, provided you’ve got the right gear. Cycling – either on the road on mountain biking – is another fantastic option that uses the major muscle groups in a similar way and keeps the heart rate pumping, especially if you’re dedicated enough to incorporate some grinding climbs into the mix. Swimming is probably my favourite summer fitness activity, however, as it goes easy on the joints and has the potential to work a variety of different muscle groups by switching between different strokes and practice routines. You don’t have to wait for warm weather to enjoy a few laps in the pool, but there’s something so intrinsically summer about diving into a lake or the ocean and swimming out to a dock or an island. Cannonball!

Core values

So much of skiing and snowboarding has to do with engaging a strong core, which basically means having solid abs and lower back muscles. Balance, co-ordination and general athleticism are all rooted in core strength: it’s basically the difference between being able to gracefully navigate variable early season snow coverage and flailing all over the place from mountain top to valley bottom.

Pilates has gained serious momentum in popularity over the past decade, and rightfully so. The strength training it offers combined with increased balance and flexibility makes it a very well-rounded work out. Surfing is another great one for isolating and engaging the core muscles. If you’re a snowboarder, this is your go-to summer sport as it closely mirrors the posture and body movements of riding powder.

Be flexible

One of the keys to injury prevention is keeping muscles, joints and ligaments loose and limber. A pulled hamstring or twisted ankle can take forever to properly heal and put a serious damper on an otherwise dreamy season opener. We know this, it’s not rocket science, yet how many of us hobble and wince our way through most of December every single year? It doesn’t have to be this way!

Similar to pilates, but still in a class of its own, is yoga. There is a such a wide variety of styles and schools of training when it comes to the popular activity, so shop around and find a studio, instructor and class that works for you – some move slowly to restore strength and flexibility to injured or weakened bodies, while others are almost cardio focused. Rock climbing is another favourite for summer fitness enthusiasts as it builds or maintains muscle tone while increasing flexibility and balance – all key components of a strong and healthy body no matter the season. The adrenaline rush translates pretty well, too!

Keep fit and have fun this summer so you can be fit and have fun as soon as the first snowflake falls. It’s the way of the future.