Fall training: Five steps to fitness

There it is,

The leafs are turning yellow, orange, red and your heart beat is accelerating. You can’t wait for the first snow.

But wait.  Are you in top physical condition? Telemark is one of those sports that needs great general fitness and good muscles tone. Nothing comes free, so TRAIN.

I use to get by not training and It always got me 5 to 10 days in the season to feel good on my skis. At 30, it changed, and it took me 20 days. Ouch. Then, I started to train.

Here’s what you should do to get rippin’:

Step 1: Sit down and set 3 goals you want to achieve on snow this year. Get motivated. Not just a bit. You need to be willing to make the sacrifices.

Step 2: Determine your training potential. Be honest, but again, set yourself some goals. Will you train alone or with people. That’s one big key to success. Many of you have the inner voice dilemma: With people means going to sessions in the evening, ‘do I have the time?’ Alone means more freedom but will you stay motivated. In any way, finding a training buddy will help.

Step 3: TIME: When, how and how long will training take you. Get a program that you have time to do. Little is better than none.

Step 4: Do it: Many training program can be found. Here’s few ideas:

1. With People:
   1. Take a spinning class. Yeah I know, pushing pedals on a stationary bike in a dark room with disco music… not for everyone. Wrong. So many trainers have so many different styles. Call them, check out what they offer. Take the beginner class and rip! Make it once or twice a week.
   2. Take a plyometric training program in a gym. This is the way to really feel the difference and be coached doing it. Some gym have classes and other will build you a program. This is where you training buddy will really help you push your limits.

    

2. By yourself:
   1. Do a few minutes exercise session. Here’s a video for a quick 3 min training routine. Fun but I find it insufficient for a complete preparation http://youtu.be/bjbiZdxowCc

    

3.  2-3 weeks in, you feel great and want more? Do both, do it all. TRAIN.

Step 5: Stay motivated: Watch telemark movies, prepare your big winter trip; buy your season’s pass, check out the latest gear. Anything that reminds you that on that first day free heeling, you will be lapping runs easily, pain free, while your buddies wonder how you’re doing it.

Bonus tip: You don’t need to do all of that. Adapt your choices to your lifestyle and your goals. Again, little is better than none.

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