Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Getting ski fit with TRX suspension system

After being introduced to the TRX suspension system by my personal trainer while rehabbing a knee a few years ago, it's become something I use with her, at home, and on trips when I drive from home.

Here's an example of harder exercises directly related to skiing that can be done with the TRX, outdoors or indoors.

http://www.skinet.com/ski/article/get-fit-suspension-workout

There are text descriptions for the following.  It's easy to find free videos of the individual exercises on YouTube.

  • Hamstring Curl
  • Side Plank
  • Inverted Row (w/ hinge)
  • Lunge
  • Skaters
  • Squat Jump
The article includes the following about hamstrings:
"The hamstrings are crucial in supporting the knee joint from the back side and act as primary restraints for anterior translation of the tibia on the femur (which happens when skiers get in the "back seat," often resulting in ACL tears.  Translation: Hammies stop your bones from slipping around, which stops you from wrecking your ACL."

I was using the TRX for hamstrings from the very beginning.  Strong hamstrings are important in general, but especially important when it comes to avoiding knee injuries.  This fall was the third pre-season using the TRX.  The hamstring curl, side plank, lunges (back, side) were included in some of my sessions with my personal trainer.  I've done those often enough to do them on my own as well.  The advantage of learning a new exercise with a personal trainer is that I can be sure my form is correct.