It is often said that tennis is the best full-body workout.  Those who make the statement clearly haven’t tried cross-country skiing.

If you are a downhill skier or haven’t skied, you owe it to yourself to try cross-country.   Test your stamina with a cross-country jaunt and you’ll have a newfound appreciation for the sport.

This is your guide to maximizing your endurance during those grueling cross-country treks.

Tip #1: Start With Plyometrics

Hit the trails for even half an hour of cross-country skiing and you’ll be winded.  This unique style of skiing works the legs, arms and midsection.

Get into the habit of daily plyometric exercises and you’ll find your cross-country treks are that much easier.  Burpees and box jumping are examples of plyometrics that boost lower body explosivity.

Burpees are a combination of movements in which you transition from a standing position to the plank position and back again while squat thrusting.

Plyometrics also enhance coordination and agility to boot.  Adhere to a daily or weekly regimen of plyometrics and you’ll find navigating difficult terrain becomes easier with each outing.

Plyometric training also makes it easier to make directional changes while on skis for fluid maneuverability.

Tip #2: Yoga

Yoga improves body awareness, balance and flexibility, each of which is essential for cross-country skiing.  Get into the habit of brief yoga sessions on a mat before or after your workouts and you’ll find maintaining your cross-country skiing technique is that much easier.

Yoga also makes you more limber, greatly reducing the chances of injury.  In particular, it will help to focus on yoga poses that enhance flexibility including stretches of the lower back, hamstrings and hip flexors.

Tip #3: Strength Training

Start strength training today and you’ll find cross-country skiing isn’t nearly as difficult.  Deadlifts, lunges and squats zero in on the muscles most commonly used when skiing.

In particular, squats bolster the glutes and quads that help keep your body stable and powerful when striding through the open trails.

Tip #4: Dryland Simulation

You can simulate the cross-country experience without snow.  Dryland training replicates the cross-country movement on pavement, concrete or grass.

Strap on your roller blades, roller skates or roller skis to simulate the experience.  Even walking with ski poles in-hand helps boost your cross-country skiing muscle memory.

Tip #5: Build Stamina With Trail Running

Trail running is similar to cross-country skiing as both require considerable stamina and determination.

Give trail running a try and you’ll find it boosts your long-distance cardiovascular ability while simultaneously enhancing balance and strength.  This is exactly what you need to take on the snow-covered trails when the temperatures dip down low.

Lotz Will Get You Ready For Cross-Country Season

We’ve got your ski needs covered.  Whether you are a cross-country skier or a downhill skier, you’ll love the outdoor gear in our shop.

Create an account with us and you’ll get 5% off all ski equipment and other purchases.  Simply click the blue button at the bottom right of the screen to sign up, refer and earn.