Get fit for the snowboard season

11th October 2014, by Abi Butcher

Get fit for the snowboarding season with our exercises

To help maximise your time in the mountains, Where to Ski and Snowboard has teamed up with winter sports specialists James Vickers and Rob Madden, physiotherapists who have worked at elite level with the British and Canadian ski and snowboard teams and are now based with the Centre for Health and Human Performance (CHHP) in London.

Last week, we started with a ski specific exercise the hack squat, this week we are looking at snowboard-specific training.

“The next exercise we bring you, the dead lift, is a useful exercise for developing lower limb strength, particularly the hamstrings,” says Rob.

“The dead lift will also build your spinal muscles and tolerance to loads you may encounter on the mountain.”

If you have not done this before, Rob advises to start lightly with just a little weight on the barbell (eg 10kg) to get your technique and form right.

“You made find it useful to work with a training partner on this one if possible,” he adds.

Include this exercise in your pre-season training twice per week — but not on consecutive days. It can be combined nicely with some of the exercises in the series such as the hack squat (covered last week).

Aim to do 6-8 reps and four sets with 45 seconds rest.

Former TeamGB snowboard physio Rob Madden demonstrates the dead lift

Rob and James are now based at the Centre for Health and Human Performance (CHHP), 76 Harley Street, London. They have a depth of experience in elite skiing and snowboarding, and altitude and expedition medicine. For more information, visit chhp.com

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