Cross Country Skiing ? A Healthy Way to Get in Shape
March 1, 2012 by admin
Filed under Get in Shape
Cross country skiing is one of the most all body workout there is. Cross country skiing is a great way to get out of the house during the long winter, and enjoy the great outdoors, while getting in shape. Nordic skiing also burns calories. With a moderate pace xc skiing can burn anywhere from 470 calories to 745 calories per hour. If you are racing then nordic skiing may burn anywhere from 900 to 1500 calories per hour. For average person burning 3500 calories will result in the loss of one pound of weight. So a couple hours a day of cross country skiing can shed those extra pounds fast! Many have used the nordic track one time in their life – the real thing is a lot more fun! This sport is a great way to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. You can enjoy the beauty of nature – mountain vistas, lakes, snow covered meadows all while experiencing a total body workout.
Nordic skiing uses the entire body – arms, legs, lungs – all your muscle groups! It is a cardiovascular sport – so it exercises your lungs as well.
Cross Country Skiing, also known as nordic skiing or xc skiing requires some basic equipment that one can either rent or purchase to enjoy this sport. For the recreational cross country skier looking to tour in their backyard or at a local cross country ski touring center, the beginner will need xc touring skis, boots, bindings and poles. Unlike alpine skiing, xc skis are attached to the binding at only the front of the foot, allowing the boot to flex as you are propelled forward. The cross country skis are narrower and lighter than their alpine cousin, and ski pole length is typically longer.
The sport of nordic skiing has two main techniques – classic and skate skiing.
The beginner wanting to tour out their back door generally begins with the classic method, which is what most people typically have seen, using the diagnol stride. Classic cross country skiing for the beginner is a bit like walking – only that you have snow under foot. The xc skis are propelled forward by putting the weight on one leg and pushing forward with the same leg. The poles swing opposite the skis. Classic cross country skiing depends upon keeping your knees and ankle flexible, keeping your weight over one ski at a time, and putting the heel down first on the forward ski so you can engage the “kick zone”. The kick zone is where the wax or fish scales are located. You want enough traction to propel yourself forward. At first ski touring may require a bit more balance, since the ski bindings are fairly flexible and the heel is not attached to the ski. With enough practice, cross country skiing becomes easy and will allow you to get away from the crowds and into some beautiful winter scenery. For the beginning cross country skiier, taking a cross country ski lesson is well worth it.
Most beginning xc skiers have a tendency to over dress. Nordic skiing is a cardiovasular sport and considerable energy is exerted. Dress in layers, so as you warm up as you are skiing you can shed the layers and remain comfortable throughout your ski. Skis and ski cloths can be purchase at our online store http://xcskistore.com.
http://xcskistore.com
