Stretching for the Slopes

Skiing is one of the most popular activities to take part in during the cold winter months. Whether you’re one of the lucky ones that live near the mountains or not; a lot of people will make it a point to travel to the colder states and enjoy the sport of skiing. Skiing may look easy since you have ski poles to help guide you, however, it is a lot harder than it looks. This sport requires a lot of balance and strength.

Like any other sport, skiing requires stretching before you engage. This helps improve your performance drastically and can help reduce the chance of any injury. Skiing is one of those sports that entails sudden and dramatic ranges of movements that puts you at a higher risk for potential injuries. It is crucial to know what stretches to do beforehand and how to do them correctly.

The first stretch is called the “transverse oblique twist.” Lying flat on the ground, lift your right leg straight up from the hip and cross it over to your left side without letting your right shoulder ever come off the ground. This stretch is to increase your range of motion through your hips, back, and your oblique.

The second stretch is called the “straight leg hang.” It’s exactly how it sounds. Stand straight with both of your feet together and reach your fingers to your toes. Make sure that your back is rounded and your knees remain straight. This targets your hamstrings and lower back.

Another useful stretch is called the “deep glute pull.” Lie on your back with your knees bent. Pull one of your legs up at a time and let that foot rest on your other thigh. When ready, pull that knee as close to your chest as you can until you feel the pull. Switch legs and repeat. This stretch targets your glute muscles.

Another important stretch targets your forearm and chest muscles. Place your left hand on the wall with your fingers facing behind you. Slowly walk backwards until you feel the stretch in your forearm. Then, take small steps turning in place away from your left arm and hold until you feel the stretch in your chest and bicep. Switch sides when you’re done and repeat the process.

If you make these stretches part of your routine before skiing it will not only make you more flexible on the slopes, but you will feel a huge difference if you didn’t stretch before. Stretching is extremely important to do before any sport because it’s not fun being sore the next day.

We feel like we have the best physical therapists around. Did you know you don't need a referral to get help from a Physical Therapist? Direct access is available for you, please call us and set up an evaluation so we can help get you back on your feet. In Orange County we offer Physical Therapy in Chester, Goshen, Monroe, Port Jervis, and Montogmery. Westchester County has Physical Therapy in Armonk, Bedford, and Hawthorne. In Ulster County we offer Physical Therapy in Wallkill, while in Sullivan County you can get Physical Therapy in Ferndale. To round out our 12 locations in New York, those living in Rockland County can go to Physical Therapy in New City as well as Pomona.  If you happen to live in PA, we also have Physical Therapy in Milford and Dingmans Ferry of Pike County.  Give us a call today!

Skiing is one of the most popular activities to take part in during the cold winter months. Whether you’re one of the lucky ones that live near the mountains or not; a lot of people will make it a point to travel to the colder states and enjoy the sport of skiing. Skiing may look easy since you have ski poles to help guide you, however, it is a lot harder than it looks. This sport requires a lot of balance and strength.

Like any other sport, skiing requires stretching before you engage. This helps improve your performance drastically and can help reduce the chance of any injury. Skiing is one of those sports that entails sudden and dramatic ranges of movements that puts you at a higher risk for potential injuries. It is crucial to know what stretches to do beforehand and how to do them correctly.

The first stretch is called the “transverse oblique twist.” Lying flat on the ground, lift your right leg straight up from the hip and cross it over to your left side without letting your right shoulder ever come off the ground. This stretch is to increase your range of motion through your hips, back, and your oblique.

The second stretch is called the “straight leg hang.” It’s exactly how it sounds. Stand straight with both of your feet together and reach your fingers to your toes. Make sure that your back is rounded and your knees remain straight. This targets your hamstrings and lower back.

Another useful stretch is called the “deep glute pull.” Lie on your back with your knees bent. Pull one of your legs up at a time and let that foot rest on your other thigh. When ready, pull that knee as close to your chest as you can until you feel the pull. Switch legs and repeat. This stretch targets your glute muscles.

Another important stretch targets your forearm and chest muscles. Place your left hand on the wall with your fingers facing behind you. Slowly walk backwards until you feel the stretch in your forearm. Then, take small steps turning in place away from your left arm and hold until you feel the stretch in your chest and bicep. Switch sides when you’re done and repeat the process.

If you make these stretches part of your routine before skiing it will not only make you more flexible on the slopes, but you will feel a huge difference if you didn’t stretch before. Stretching is extremely important to do before any sport because it’s not fun being sore the next day.

We feel like we have the best physical therapists around. Did you know you don't need a referral to get help from a Physical Therapist? Direct access is available for you, please call us and set up an evaluation so we can help get you back on your feet. In Orange County we offer Physical Therapy in Chester, Goshen, Monroe, Port Jervis, and Montogmery. Westchester County has Physical Therapy in Armonk, Bedford, and Hawthorne. In Ulster County we offer Physical Therapy in Wallkill, while in Sullivan County you can get Physical Therapy in Ferndale. To round out our 12 locations in New York, those living in Rockland County can go to Physical Therapy in New City as well as Pomona.  If you happen to live in PA, we also have Physical Therapy in Milford and Dingmans Ferry of Pike County.  Give us a call today!

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Skiing is one of the most popular activities to take part in during the cold winter months. Whether you’re one of the lucky ones that live near the mountains or not; a lot of people will make it a point to travel to the colder states and enjoy the sport of skiing. Skiing may look easy since you have ski poles to help guide you, however, it is a lot harder than it looks. This sport requires a lot of balance and strength.

Like any other sport, skiing requires stretching before you engage. This helps improve your performance drastically and can help reduce the chance of any injury. Skiing is one of those sports that entails sudden and dramatic ranges of movements that puts you at a higher risk for potential injuries. It is crucial to know what stretches to do beforehand and how to do them correctly.

The first stretch is called the “transverse oblique twist.” Lying flat on the ground, lift your right leg straight up from the hip and cross it over to your left side without letting your right shoulder ever come off the ground. This stretch is to increase your range of motion through your hips, back, and your oblique.

The second stretch is called the “straight leg hang.” It’s exactly how it sounds. Stand straight with both of your feet together and reach your fingers to your toes. Make sure that your back is rounded and your knees remain straight. This targets your hamstrings and lower back.

Another useful stretch is called the “deep glute pull.” Lie on your back with your knees bent. Pull one of your legs up at a time and let that foot rest on your other thigh. When ready, pull that knee as close to your chest as you can until you feel the pull. Switch legs and repeat. This stretch targets your glute muscles.

Another important stretch targets your forearm and chest muscles. Place your left hand on the wall with your fingers facing behind you. Slowly walk backwards until you feel the stretch in your forearm. Then, take small steps turning in place away from your left arm and hold until you feel the stretch in your chest and bicep. Switch sides when you’re done and repeat the process.

If you make these stretches part of your routine before skiing it will not only make you more flexible on the slopes, but you will feel a huge difference if you didn’t stretch before. Stretching is extremely important to do before any sport because it’s not fun being sore the next day.

We feel like we have the best physical therapists around. Did you know you don't need a referral to get help from a Physical Therapist? Direct access is available for you, please call us and set up an evaluation so we can help get you back on your feet. In Orange County we offer Physical Therapy in Chester, Goshen, Monroe, Port Jervis, and Montogmery. Westchester County has Physical Therapy in Armonk, Bedford, and Hawthorne. In Ulster County we offer Physical Therapy in Wallkill, while in Sullivan County you can get Physical Therapy in Ferndale. To round out our 12 locations in New York, those living in Rockland County can go to Physical Therapy in New City as well as Pomona.  If you happen to live in PA, we also have Physical Therapy in Milford and Dingmans Ferry of Pike County.  Give us a call today!