How to prepare to ski again?

[71-South]

Hey All,

I'm a 41 yr old big guy (6' and about 255 lbs.) I'm fairly muscular and a little athletic, but I've got a world class beer gut.

I used to ski when I was a kid and I'm ready to try to get up again. I'm getting one of the large sets of combos for Father's Day (I'm not sure which one yet, but it'll be a pretty large surface area.)

I have a 19' VIP Vision 1900 I/O w/ a 175 HP OMC.

Besides using the proper technique when I give it a shot, I'm wondering if there are any excercises that I can be doing for the next month or so before I get out that will make the whole experience easier.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Bret

 

[jevery]

Re: How to prepare to ski again?

Hey Bret,

I slalomed last Fall, first time in about 15 years. I didn't have any trouble getting up, but definitely was a little unsteady carving the turns and didn't last long before the legs were rubber, but hey, I'm over 50. Skiing on two is a little less taxing, but still an aerobic exercise with most of the forces on the legs, lower back, shoulders, and fingers. I'd say the best exercises would be squats, lunges, and cable rows. Rowing machine would be good too. And wear some skiing gloves too.

 

[71-South]

Re: How to prepare to ski again?

Thanks dude. I appreciate the response and the advice. I'm a little nervous about it, but really excited. I'll be sticking to combos for the time being, but who knows what will happen down the road. My boat has been sitting for three seasons and we're really pumped about getting her back and running.

 

[jevery]

Re: How to prepare to ski again?

If you want really effortless skiing try an air chair. You can go for miles because when you're up on the hydrofoil and the ski's off the water there's virtually no pull on your arms, plus you're sitting down. They're a blast.

 

[71-South]

Re: How to prepare to ski again?

Yeah, the Air Chairs look really cool, but they're way out of my price range.

 

[Sparkinator]

Re: How to prepare to ski again?

I'm 46 and started back skiing last year after a 20+ year hiatus. I used to be pretty good, and slalomed pretty hard. I would always end up sore after the first trip every year, even as a kid.

It just so happens, I had gotten back to working out a little before I started back skiing. Bench pressing with dumbells mostly, and I have't been sore at all. It really helped the arms, shoulders, and back.

+1 on the gloves. I 'm toting extra weight too, and the extra weight just adds to the stress on the hands.

 

[71-South]

Re: How to prepare to ski again?

Sounds good. Thanks.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: How to prepare to ski again?

Well if you have access to a gym, a rowing machine would be the best single piece of equipment I could recommend. It simulates to pulling strength you'll need for the rope, and the quad/glutes workout for the leg portion. It also works your back and abdominal core muscles which are imperitave for maintaining good form (and usually wear out the quickest). If you don't have access to the rowing machine, then simple wall squats, sit-ups, and upright rows will suffice. Take it easy that first time out or you'l really pay for it.

At 255lbs behind 175HP, just make sure you stay crouched until the boat gets on plane, then stand up; it will make it easier on the both of you!

 

[71-South]

Re: How to prepare to ski again?

Will do. Thanks much.
Bret

 

[MrBill]

Re: How to prepare to ski again?

I'm now 56, about 6 feet tall, 240lbs. Starting skiing again 4 years ago after 20+ year hiatus and started with a rather serious groin injury. The skis separated and I wasn't in shape well at the time...I forgot 20 years had gone by. Still wanting to get back in the groove, I started on the treadmill and elliptical, gradually working up to a 30 minute workout, 3 times per week. Then finally supplemented the workout with stretching and squats. Also starting snow skiing again...been fine ever since. Definitely get exercising to avoid injury...best of luck!!

 

[rabiddawg]

Re: How to prepare to ski again?

42 here and started P90X the first week of January. The results are great but it will take you a few weeks before you can complete any of the workouts. Do it and you will be ready for almost anything the water can throw at you.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: How to prepare to ski again?

Without a doubt excercising as the folk above have said will help geatly. gloves are a yes also. don't do too much first time out and then see how you feel after. i am 50 and for the last 10 years stay up for about a minute first day of each season and a little longer each time for the first half dozen times after that. after that you will know your limits.
Good Luck and have fun.

 

[hckplyers]

Re: How to prepare to ski again?

I'm going to suggest going with a better combo set, get some with some boots, not the rubber type bindings, they kill you ankles and are hard to control your ski's as they can't be tighten enough properly.
Otherwise all the suggestions above are right on, and don't go faster than you are physically able to handle if you fall!

 

[jkust]

Re: How to prepare to ski again?

The actual skiing part is like riding a bike. Getting up both on doubles and salalom is just built in if you were good at it at one time. I have found that I just run out of gas after a few times arond our bay when I used to be able to go forever. I like the rowing machine idea because it works cardio and the pulling muscles as well. I was a pretty serious knee boarder years ago when it was the big thing and we'd live up at the cabin in the summers for weeks on end. Several years later I strapped one on only to realize I couldn't get off the wake hardly at all much less do a flip.

 

[71-South]

Re: How to prepare to ski again?

I'm just hoping to be able to walk the Monday after.

 

[superwooter]

Re: How to prepare to ski again?

i ski'd for the first time in 10 years a couple weeks ago. it took about 4 tries to remember everything and actually get on top of the water. i am 30 and 190 lbs. i was really sore the 2 days after. i've been 2 more times since then and each time my sore time is less. i am really glad to have gotten back out there. i'm in better shape than i have been in a long time. i've been doing this sort of yoga push up routine where you go down and then back up slowly, then you rotate a bit and reach one arm to the ski slowly and hold it for a second or two, return back to push up stance and repeat. it adds a bit of oblique ab exercise to the push up that you don't get with a regular push up. the most reps i can pull off right now is about 8, being that its a much slower movement than regular push ups and it really focuses more on muscle control than on strength alone.
its no where near as intense as something like p90x as mentioned earlier but its a good way to gradually work yourself into an exercise routine and it works for me.

 

[hibbert6]

Re: How to prepare to ski again?

When I hit 50 years old I bought a wide ski. Had a heck of a time getting up on it. Finally learned how (see thread below) but was unhappy with the ski's performance! But I do recommend reading the posts on this thread:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=189423&highlight=wide+skis

Dave

 

[71-South]

Re: How to prepare to ski again?

Interesting read. Thanks.

 

[northernmerc]

Re: How to prepare to ski again?

From my experience, physical condition has more to do with it than age. Get into a year round fitness habit that involves cardio-vascular and strength training, along with weight control, and you'll ski easier and better than those half your age.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: How to prepare to ski again?

I agree with all the above but might add, you may be sore no matter what its just a matter of how sore. Try as you might there is no way to replicate the rigors skiing puts on your body in a gym. You can get close and core excercises help a lot, but one good spill you are at the mercy of the water. I'm 40 and still slalom hard as a 20 year old, stay in good shape year around, but am always tight/sore after that first time out. But then I have a hard time not going full bore either so its probably my own dumb fault:redface: