5 Great VECTOR Exercises for Skiers
Ski season is coming up quickly, and it’s time to get ready to hit the slopes.
"Skiing demands a lot from your body — strength, balance, endurance, and agility,” says elite coach and physical therapist, Brian Finch. During the off-season or between your ski trips, it’s crucial to keep the ski-specific muscles strong and resilient” he adds.
Finch, a renowned name in the ski industry, has specifically designed a series of exercises, using the VECTOR and following the VECTOR method of training to ensure you’re as ready as ever for those thrilling downhill runs and all day sessions.
The VECTOR Method for Skiers
With the Kayezen VECTOR, you've got an innovative, versatile tool that makes ski-specific training not just effective but also accessible. Lightweight and portable, the VECTOR allows you to simulate a range of skiing movements, targeting muscle groups vital for skiers. Whether you're at home, in the gym, or on a trip, these exercises can be a game-changer for your ski season prep.
Micro-Workouts, At-Home or In The Office
Incorporating 5-10 minute micro-workouts can be a game-changer for your ski season performance. With the VECTOR, you can transform idle moments into peak ski preparation with ski-specific micro-workouts. These brief, concentrated training bursts are designed to fit into your day as effortlessly as checking your email. This way, you can prepare for the slopes anytime, anywhere, ensuring that when the ski season arrives, you're as prepared as possible with minimal disruption to your daily routine. Ditch the notion that only hours in the gym can get you in shape for skiing and embrace the convenience and effectiveness of micro-workouts with the VECTOR.
FOR A SERIES OF VECTOR MICRO-WORKOUTS FOR SKI SEASON PREP, DOWNLOAD THE KAYEZEN APP FOR ACCESS TO THE LIMITLESS TRAINING PLATFORM:
1. Exercise 1: Tail Gunning
The tail gunning exercise is where you rock back and forth onto your heels with the VECTOR Torso Strap across both legs just above your knees. Finch says that this is a great exercise for getting set up in your boots and finding your balance in your skis. The movement will work the thighs, ankles, and knees all at the same time.
2. Exercise 2: Shin Slide
The shin slide exercise has you start in a side plank position with the VECTOR Cinch Strap attached to your bottom leg just below your knee. In that plank position, you slide the bottom leg up and down the length of your outside leg. Finch says this exercise will build core strength and knee drive to assist with more powerful turns.
3. Exercise 4: Raising the Safety Bar
Raising the safety bar with the VECTOR Long Handle has you start in a seated upright position with the handle at your shoulders. You’ll press the handle up overhead, return, and repeat for the prescribed number of repetitions. Finch says this exercise forces our upper extremities to work hard without a base of support and it will strengthen our core, glutes, and shoulders.
4. Exercise 3: Pushing Through the Lodge
Pushing your way through the lodge with the VECTOR Torso Strap has you start in a seated upright position holding the Torso Strap out in front of your chest. With your arms fully extended, you’ll slightly lean back then forward again for the prescribed amount of time or repetitions. Finch says this is another great core strengthening exercise for high-performance maneuverability on your skis.
5. Exercise 5: Edge Roll
The edge roll exercise with the VECTOR Torso Strap has you start in a parallel stance with the resistance of the VECTOR on one side. You’ll shift your weight side to side for the prescribed amount of time or reps. Finch says this exercise will train you to feel the inside and outside of your skis, giving you a stronger understanding of where your body needs to be while taking turns and maneuvering on the mountain.
Bringing It All Together
Finch reminds us that consistent training is key. "Your efforts with these exercises will pay off when you're navigating those slopes. It's about building muscle memory, strength, and flexibility specific to skiing."
