Leather and skiless, the hiking thread.

[MikeK]

Haha - for NY 3000' is high elevation

[lowangle al]

As much as I like hiking and paddling, biking seems to be my best bang for the buck in terms of fitness. And biking on the road or bike paths doesn't seem to be enough unless you ride for hours. Nothing seems to have the intensity of mountain biking. I'm really liking it because I can do it 3, 4, 5 times a week, after work. And I don't have to leave town to get some good stuff.

I really think hiking is probably the best for skiing, but you have to hike a lot of mileage and a lot of vert to keep in good shape. MTB keeps the legs, arms, chest and core strong - but doesn't keep those stability leg muscles strong. Also doesn't even come close to using the muscles you use for paddling... I can't think of anything but paddling which uses those. The cardio is really, really good thoug

When I had time to MTB I thought it was a good way to get into shape for skiing.

I always felt that I got a better workout biking than skiing also and the reason being that you need to keep your speed up when climbing to stay upright, not so with skiing.

I think skiing and paddling use the same upper body muscles, triceps, chest and lats.

Paddling can be a good exersize but you have to make it a point to make it a workout. It's too easy to take it easy and not get your heart rate up. Last fall I paddled every day for about two months, it was the only exersize I did and when ski season started I felt I was in pretty good shape. I mostly paddled standing up which is good for the legs and really good for your core.

[MikeK]

If I paddle solo, I usually get a really good workout. Especially if you get out on a big, windy lake... or going up river.

[satsuma]

Roller skiing is a good exercise for upper body (when double poling) and core muscles.

[connyro]

MTB is great for keeping some aerobic/core fitness, but at the start of every ski season, much to my chagrin, my legs are weak and sore. Cycling uses leg muscles differently than skiing. Hiking is much better for ski season prep for leg muscles.

[MikeK]

I had a Nordic Track for a short time. I used to think those things were shit back in the day... well guess what? They still are.

They actually do tire you out. Is it like skiing? Not really. It is hard to stay up and keep your balance but it really doesn't utilize those stability muscles you use when skiing. Plus the ropes for poles don't even come close to simulating poling.

Probably the closest thing to poling other than roller skiing would be poling with canoe.

[mugglesport]

Unsatisfied with simply taking the fun out of rowing, Concept2 has also developed a device that takes the fun out of skiing! http://www.concept2.com/skierg

Seriously though, while I love biking and hiking, I've gotten the best results with strength and intensity training. Last summer I started getting serious about weight lifting (including squats 2-3 times per week) and while I didn't have massive increases in strength or muscle size, I certainly got stronger. Of course there are muscles that really only get used when skiing, but otherwise my alpine season was great and the only fatigue I ran into was largely due to the inherent discomfort of alpine boots. I also saw some good results with intensity activities like rowing/erging and hill sprints.

Since the middle of spring, I fell off the wagon and while I've been doing tons of walking and biking I haven't intentionally exercised in months. Better get back at it...

[athabascae]

I love hiking and single-track biking, but for getting fit nothing beats trail running. YMMV.

Tom

[MikeK]

I love hiking and single-track biking, but for getting fit nothing beats trail running. YMMV.

Tom

This is probably true, but I don't think my knees would like it.

[lowangle al]

This is probably true, but I don't think my knees would like it.

Mine sure don't.