Snowboarding Fitness

I've been an avid runner for a long time - including a half-dozen marathons. That being said I was not in any kind of spectacular shape when I first learned to snowboard. In fact, I had been working lots of overtime, commuting long distances, and generally not getting much in the way of regular exercise. So if you're determined to snowboard don't feel like you have to be ready for a triathlon to do it.

Snowboarding, like any physical activity, will be more enjoyable the better shape you're in. I used to be a member of the downtown Dallas YMCA. It's a huge multi-story gym used by many thousands of white collar workers in the downtown area. All new members have to sit through an orientation. In that meeting we were told about the "YMCA philosophy" on physical fitness: Get in good enough shape to participate in a sport you like. That's a great concept. Sports are a lot more fun than just plain old exercise. But you have to get into shape to get in on the fun. If getting in good enough shape to keep up with your teenagers on the mountain during spring break is motivating then so be it.

The major muscles used during snowboarding are your quads (thighs), and your lower leg muscles (calf and tibia). You will need your abdominal muscles every time you get up on a snowboard. Of course, anytime you're at high altitude you will need all the extra aerobic capacity you can get (your lungs).

Start getting in shape early. I think playing adult league outdoor soccer is a great sport for both Boomer men and women. Be careful of indoor soccer - the floor is hard. I shattered a wrist, requiring surgery, playing rough indoor soccer. If you could join a Fall league you would be in great shape for the winter snowboard season!

No gym available: Try climbing stairs or running bleachers, jogging, sit-ups and crunches.

At the Gym: Squats, lunges, leg extensions, hamstring curls.