Warming up is important before any kind of exercise, but especially so for cold-weather sports, says Scott Fryczynski, PT, DPT, at the Outpatient Rehabilitation Center at Barnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center. “In cold weather, you want to be sure to get your blood flowing to warm up your muscles, which has been shown to reduce the risk of injury,” he says.
He advises the exercises shown here for a pre-ski warm-up to prepare the major muscle groups in the hips, legs and trunk that are used while skiing. “These exercises should take no more than about 10 minutes,” he says, “and should be done immediately before you ski, when you’re already outside and wearing your ski clothes.”
Caution: Check with your physician to be sure you’re fi t for these and any other exercises. If you’re having pain while exercising, make an appointment for an evaluation by a physical therapist.
For information about physical therapy and rehabilitation services at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, call 973.322.7500 or visit www.rwjbh.org/sbmcrehab.