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Get in Shape For Skiing

July 19, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Skier carving a turn off piste

Image via Wikipedia

To reduce the possibility of injury, as well as extending your time on the slopes, you should engage in some ski training exercises before your next ski vacation.

Because you use your legs so much during skiing, it’s important to build the muscles in your legs. This will also give you additional strength and endurance. If you belong to a gym or health club, use the leg machines to build muscle and strength. Do three sets of 10 repetitions with both legs. Follow this by reducing the weight by half and doing the same exercise on each leg individually.

If you don’t have access to a gym, you can still work your legs. Do lunges. These are also an overall body work out as well. When doing lunges, make sure your knees don’t go past your ankles to reduce the possibility of injury. In addition, squats are beneficial to your ski training, especially if you combine them with hand weights.

Another part of your ski training is to increase your aerobic endurance. You can do this be engaging in circuit training. Simply run or jog for a minute and then perform some muscle toning exercises. Repeat this three to four times. If you have access to a ski training machine, stair climber, stationary bikes and such, these are also great ways to improve your endurance.

To improve your flexibility, you’ll want to include stretching in your training regime. By improving your flexibility through stretching exercises you’ll be better able to adjust to directional changes while skiing.

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If You Want to Learn how to Surf, try Surfing Camp

February 3, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Many people would love to learn how to surf but are often too afraid to try. Some people just do not want to look foolish trying to balance on a surfboard. For most people, surfing is something they watch others do. Surfing looks like a great deal of fun and most people have had at least the desire to try it.

A fun and safe way to learn to surf is to attend a surfing camp. This is a great way for the entire family to experience surfing and a fantastic way for friends to enjoy the experience together.

Surfing camps use certified instructors that teach the basics of surfing. The benefit is you are guided by a trained professional that will keep you safe. In addition, there are many people in the class, so you have many potential rescuers. You will learn the basics of surfing including how to paddle, stand on the board and catch waves. Staying on the board takes practice and you will get ample opportunity to practice in Surfing Camp.

Most Surfing Camps are six to 10 days and have two or three sessions scheduled each day. You do not have to worry about brining your own surfboard, as Surfing Camps will provide you with everything you will need. This saves the beginning surfer a great deal of money. You do not have to purchase any equipment until you are ready to commit to surfing.

If you have children interested in surfing, this is a wonderful way for them to learn. Most Surfing Camps have different sections for different age groups. In addition to surfing, most camps also offer family and other activities to cap off a day of surfing.

Surfing Camps are available for any age group. This is a fun and affordable way to learn how to surf. Above all, this is a safe way to learn how to surf.

Filed Under: Surf, Training Tagged With: , ,

Wellness Goals – Preparing for a Triathlon

January 25, 2011 by Leave a Comment

A triathlon is the ultimate fitness challenge and test of endurance. With training and the right gear, you’ll be prepared for all aspects of your triathlon.

In a triathlon, athletes participate in three different sports (running, cycling, and swimming) back to back with timed stops in between to allow racers to change clothing and store bikes. While the length of these races varies, standard triathlon distances include a 750m swim, 20km bike, and 5km run. Some triathlons allow competitors to race in relays.

Triathlon Training

Triathlons involve a great deal of endurance, so it can take quite a bit of time to prepare your body. Most of the training for a triathlon is used to build-up endurance in all muscle groups, since the sports in a triathlon utilize both upper and lower body strength. Most competitors spend between six months and a year training for their first triathlon.

Triathlon Swimming Gear

To be competitive in a triathlon, the right equipment is essential. A triathlon store will give you a good idea of what you need to compete, which includes a good bike, a good pair of running shoes, and the right swimming gear.

Swimmers have a distinct edge over their competition when they wear a wetsuit rather than swim trunks or bathing suits. Wetsuits have a number of advantages; for one, they make swimmers more aerodynamic in the water.

Additionally, wetsuits reduce friction because they are made of a much smoother and slicker surface than the surface of the skin, called neoprene, allowing you to glide through the water much faster. The neoprene also makes swimmers more buoyant (floating higher) in the water. As a result, you are able to glide through much faster through the water.

If you are preparing for your first triathlon, it should include proper training and the right swimming gear to help you succeed.

Filed Under: Professionals, Training Tagged With: , ,

So You Want to Learn to Surf?

December 30, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Surfing is one of those pastimes that many people aspire to take part in but only a small percentage ever bite the bullet and go for it – even fewer actually master the skill. One reason why people seem to fail when attempting to learn to surf is that they come at the idea unprepared and so set themselves up to fail. Because they are unprepared they find their first surfing experience is an unpleasant one that leaves them feeling like a failure. To avoid this people who are keen to wish to learn to surf should take a few simple steps in preparation for taking up this new hobby.

Prepare Yourself Physically for Starting to Surf

While pro surfers may make the sport look effortless surfing really does take a physical toll on the body. If you want to try surfing you will need both strength and stamina in some measure. Preparing your body for the introduction to a new activity is key if you want early lessons to go well. Getting in shape at the gym and building stamina through cardio workouts are both great ways to get yourself prepared before beginning surfing lessons.

Have the Right Equipment

For surfing to be a safe and fun experience you will need to have the right equipment in place. What you need will vary according to where and in what conditions you intend to start your surfing career, so speak to your instructor before you start out and ask what will be provided for you and what they would advise you provide for yourself. If you are planning to go it alone go to a professional surf shop and seek the advice of sales staff on what equipment would be best for a beginner at the location you are intending to surf.

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Essential Surfing Kit for Beginners – Clothing

December 23, 2010 by Leave a Comment

If you have tried your hand at surfing an enjoyed it enough to want to invest in your own equipment you will need to think carefully about what items are essential purchases.
What you need will vary depending on the area you intend to do your surfing in, so it is always a good idea to seek the advice of your surfing instructor or the professional salespeople at your local store in order to ascertain what items you will need. Wetsuit

Think about the climate where you intend to surf – is it more sensible to opt for a “shortie” type wetsuit, which will leave forearms and shins exposed or do you need to invest in a full body suit? If you are unsure it can be a good idea to take a trip to the beach where you will be doing most of your surfing and check what the regulars are wearing. While wetsuits are hard to struggle into, do not be tempted to go for a looser size since any gaping at the collar or cuffs can allow for sudden influxes of cold water, which can be a shock to the system.

Rash Vest

Every surfer needs a rash vest to stop them from being irritated by the chafing of their wetsuit against their skin while they paddle and surf. A rash vest is also a good extra layer that can help keep surfers warm in cooler waters, or can be used independently as surf wear in warmer climes.

Cold Water Surf Clothing

If you are planning to surf in a colder climate then you will probably want to invest in a few extras including boots, made from wetsuit material which can keep the feet from becoming overly cold, gloves which will do the same for the hands, and even a hood which helps to prevent the loss of heat from the head.

Filed Under: Equipment, Surf, Training Tagged With: ,

Learning to Sail – What Are the Choices?

December 4, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Many people find themselves attracted to the idea of being able to sail the oceans independently, harnessing the power of nature in order to travel to exciting destinations while enjoying an experience with friends or family.
But sailing is a skill that needs to be learned before would be skippers and crew can cast off on their own, so how should you go about it?

Learning to Sail in a Leisurely Way

There are a number of ways in which to learn the skills of sailing. If you are happy to acquire sailing knowledge over a period of time why not consider joining a sailing club or group and taking part in sailing activities with more experienced crew members who can pass on their wisdom during weekly or monthly meetings.

Sailing Schools at Home

If you live near a coast you may wish to take part in a dedicated sailing school. Intensive courses are offered by accredited sailing school many coastal areas. The advantage of this choice is that you will be able to save on accommodation costs during your course by staying in your own home. However, you may find familiar surroundings can be uninspiring.

Sailing Schools in Vacation Locations

If you want to combine acquiring sailing knowledge with a relaxing break then there are sailing schools based in exciting locations across the globe. Choose from a shore based course, where you stay on land and take lessons during the day, or opt for on board instruction. Many people find that learning to sail away from home is a magical memory combining a fresh environment with exciting personal development and new friends who share your passions. You can even choose to combine the two with a dual base break, where the first half is spend learning the essentials and the second practicing them on board your very own rental vessel as you explore the area.

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