Cross-country skiing – skating and classic skiing

The content of the article

• The benefits of skiing
• Slimming skis
• Skiing technique
• Ski Skating Technique
• Classic skiing technique
• How to ski
• Beginner’s skiing lessons

One of the most popular aerobic sports today is skiing. It is characterized by amazing results with minimal load and is even considered less dangerous for joints than running. Skiing trains almost all parts of the body – the lower back, legs, arms, abs, chest. You will learn more about this sport from the information below..

The benefits of skiing

Before determining what the health benefits of skiing are, it’s worth mentioning the contraindications of this physical activity. These include the following cases:

• children up to 10-13 years old;
• age over 50;
• pregnant women;
• weakened immunity;
• reactive skin response in sunlight, lack of melanin;
• disabled people with serious illnesses;
• pathology of the musculoskeletal system;
• violation of the cardiovascular or respiratory systems;
• recent stroke, heart attack, surgery.

Even in these cases, the right equipment will make skiing or walking useful. In addition to the effect of losing weight, improving appetite, general condition, a person can receive many other positive effects from such a sport. Skiing is useful as follows:

• improvement of blood supply to muscle tissue due to its reduction;
• increased resistance to colds;
• metabolic acceleration, weight loss;
• landscape therapy – helps to cure or strengthen the body due to physical activity in nature, and not a noisy city;
• hardening of the body due to regular exposure to fresh air in frosty weather;
• helps restore healthy sleep;
• improving the condition of the vestibular apparatus by maintaining equilibrium with respect to the track;
• strengthening the functions of the cardiovascular system, heart;
• lowers blood pressure, dilates capillaries, small arteries;
• improvement of pulmonary ventilation, gas exchange;
• prevention of respiratory diseases;
• helps to increase the amount of oxygen in the blood;
• beneficial effect on joints, their flexibility;
• helps improve stamina.

Slimming skis

For those who want to get rid of extra pounds, skiing is also a very good option. This is a great alternative to stuffy gym exercises. In 1 hour, you can burn from 500 to 1000 calories – it all depends on the pace and type of running. Slimming skis are useful not only in terms of energy consumption. Running helps to work out certain muscle groups:

• with problem buttocks, it is recommended to ride in the classical way;
• skating helps to tighten the hips;
• work with ski poles works out the upper muscles of the shoulder girdle and arms;
• a little less benefit for the back with the press, but they are also in good shape when riding.

If you want to really weigh less, it’s important to follow a few rules. The main thing is regularity, i.e. the number of workouts should be from 3 times a week. The duration of each should be at least 1 hour. It is better to eat 2 hours before the run, and after that you can afford a low-calorie snack. In order to be comfortable for you, be sure to choose the right clothes, it is better if it is thermal underwear (pants, jacket, hat, mittens, warm socks), and equipment – skis, boots and poles themselves.

Skiing technique

Depending on the pace of the walk, the skiing technique is also determined. In general, skating has two forms – walking and running. The latter refers to loads of a higher level. For this reason, it is better for novice athletes to walk and build up the pace gradually. As for the skis themselves, wooden and plastic, cross-country and mountain ones stand out. Each species has its own running technique. Cross-country skiing is done in the skate or classic style. Mountain people have more running techniques. They can be combined into the following list:

1. Sports running technique. Consists of simple slalom, giant slalom and downhill. Refers to competitive styles and requires passing the track without errors.
2. Freeride. This is an off-piste technique. Used only by extremals and professionals..
3. Tourist running technique. This is a ski resort and instructor classes.
4. Freestyle. Translated as a free style. In addition to a simple ride on the highway, it includes jogging and ski jumping.

Ski Skating Technique

Judging by the name, this technique is an imitation of ice skating. The skier alternately leans on each ski, while from the snow it is repelled by its inner side. The legs are almost all the time in different planes. It turns out that you need to go, trying to write out the Latin letter “V” as early as possible. With one foot, slide forward and sideways, then the same with the other, trying to push off the inner edge. The technique of skating on skis is used in the case of a well-rolled track and is characterized by a higher speed and load.

Classic skiing technique

With this technique, a person moves using both cross-country skis at the same time. He sets them in parallel, in contrast to the ridge style, trying to maintain balance. The technique of classic skiing is used on already-ridden ski tracks and on rough terrain. To move in this way you must:

• stand on the ski straight;
• carry sticks forward, push off with them;
• further glide along the plane, pushing off also with skis, alternately each, and helping the opposite leg with your hand.

How to ski

Of all the rules, there are several basic ones that describe how to ski properly. The main thing is that the legs should be kept at a distance of about 30 cm, while riding, they should be slightly bent so that light pressure is felt. It is necessary to observe a few more recommendations:

1. Hands. The distance between them should be about 25-30 cm. The arms themselves are bent at the elbows and slightly extended forward..
2. Sight. Do not look down. The gaze should be directed forward to avoid collisions or to notice uneven terrain in time.
3. Fear. Never give in to the fear of falling. For beginners, this happens sooner or later. Just learn to do it right – to the side, and not back or forward, while covering your head with your hands.

Beginner’s skiing lessons

The very first ski lessons will always be challenging. It is important to evaluate your strengths – the ability to withstand physical exertion, respond to obstacles, own the body and adapt to elevations. Ski lessons for beginners include more than riding and braking techniques. Before proceeding directly to skiing, you need to familiarize yourself with the inventory and preparation for the process – stretching the shoulder girdle, thighs, chest, and hip joints. If these stages have been completed, then further success in riding is guaranteed to you. Everything will depend only on desire.