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Snowboarding is a seasonal sport and as such it is easy to let your snowboarding fitness fall to way-side during the off season. But as the snow starts to fall and the temperature starts to drop and the dreaming of racing down a hill over soft white powder begins, so also begins the time to get fit before heading out to the hill again.

Snowboarding is a tough sport that works your cardiovascular system and the core, anterior, and posterior muscles in your body. Having to push off of the ground works out the upper body, and a nasty fall can work out muscles you didn't even know you had and cause injury if you are not properly prepared.

The best way to get in shape for Snowboarding is to start with both a cardiovascular and weightlifting program. Running on an incline is a great way to work the calf muscles the same way that they are worked on a snowboarding. If you are new to running begin with walk-run intervals of 5 minutes each for a total of 30 minutes until you can run for the entire 30 minutes. The incline doesn't have to be great anywhere from 1 -5% incline will give you the calf work out you need and get you adjusted to walking uphill and keeping your balance on the edges of your feet. Cardiovascular exercise should be done five days of the week in order to keep in top form for snowboarding.

Lunges at the best way to work the quads, hamstrings, and buttocks for snowboarding. Start with your hands on your hips and step forward with your right foot about two feet and bend your back leg so that your knee is off the floor about three to four inches. Your front knee should be bent so that the knee forms a ninety degree angle with the floor and does not go past the ankle. Hold the lunge for three seconds and then push your body back to standing position with your front leg. Repeat this exercise ten times on each side of the body, do three repetitions.

Core workouts are best done on a balance ball, which is great for working the abs and the core muscles at the same time. Balance on the ball so that the knees are again over the ankles forming a ninety degree angle and the ball is supporting your mid-back. Cross your arms over your chest and slowly lift your body without moving your neck, hold for three seconds and then release. Do three sets of fifteen after each cardiovascular workout.

Basic push-ups will help to strengthen both your arms and your chest muscles for pushing your body up off the snow and back onto your feet on the board. Do three repetitions of then push-ups five times a week.

And last but not least, every exercise regime, whether it be cardio, weight-training, or snowboarding on the hill, would not be correct without first warming-up, and cooling down, with a little bit of stretching. It is most important to stretch the legs but keeping the knees slightly bend and bending over from the waist keeping the back straight. This will stretch the calves, quads, and buttocks. By crossing your arm across your body and pulling it slightly closer with your opposite hand you can stretch your shoulder and back muscles. Don't forget that every stretch should be held for 30 seconds and be repeated each time after taking a break.

Of course the best way to stay fit for Snowboarding is to take care of your body on a daily basis by doing little things such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, riding your bike to work, and drinking eight glasses of water a day. Even the weekend snowboarder needs to stay in shape on a daily basis to live a long and healthy life while riding from the top of the mountain down to the chalet.

Learn more about this author, Eve Mager.
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