Is your fitness routine getting a little, well, routine? How
about trying a fitness activity that's been around no less than
one hundred years? That's right - slide training has been around
since the days when speed skaters would take an old barn door,
wax it down, and slide back and forth during the warmer months
to stay in shape for the Olympics.
Thanks to new technology developed in the '80s and '90s, you
can leave that barn door on its hinges. A well-made slide can be
purchased at your local sporting goods store for around $80.
(Cheaper models are available, but you really get what you pay
for.) With a little practice, you can be the next Eric Heiden or
Bonnie Blair, skating your way to an Olympic medal.
Lateral Moves
Okay, so slide training won't turn you into an Olympian, but
it will train your muscles in a whole new way. Most fitness
activities, such as walking and cycling, train your muscles in a
forward and backward or up and down motion. Many of our
recreational activities, however, such as basketball and tennis
require us to move in a side-to-side motion. Slide training
develops and conditions those muscles of the legs and hips that
make lateral motion possible.
Conditioning Your Lower Half
Sliding is an extremely low-impact activity. It conditions
not only the major muscle groups of the lower body but the
connective tissue between the knees, hips and ankles. This helps
reduce the risk of injury to those joints during recreational
activities. Sliding also targets those hard to reach areas of
the inner and outer thighs and the buttocks.
Learning The Basics
It is best to use the slide on a hard flat surface, away from
sharp-edged furniture, like coffee tables or chairs. (Even the
most accomplished sliders may occasionally lose their balance.)
Remember to warm up and stretch before beginning your slide
workout.
To begin your workout place the slide socks over your shoes;
it is best to use flat-soled athletic shoes. Enter the board
from the rear (if your board has a toe out, the wide part should
face toward the front). First place your foot on the end ramp,
then bring your other foot on the board. Bend your knees
slightly, relax your neck and shoulders, keeping your back
straight. Slide the inside foot back and forth on the slide
surface to become familiar with how slick the surface is. Keep
your hips in alignment with your torso and shoulders.
Start Sliding Slowly
Begin the slide motion by using the muscles of the outer hip
and leg, pushing down and away with the entire leg, not just the
foot or ankle. Do not bring your legs together until your lead
leg has reached the end ramp. Always keep your knees in
alignment with your toes. You can control the speed of your
slide by dragging your trail leg. Come to rest and catch your
balance before initiating your next slide. Take it slowly at
first, making sure you are comfortable with the basic slide
before you move onto other movements.
Slide Your Way To Fitness
Sliding is an intense activity using seldom-used muscle
groups. Begin with only one slide session per week, limiting
your first few sessions to 10 minutes. You may increase the
frequency and duration as your body adapts to sliding. As with
any new activity you may experience some delayed-onset muscle
soreness. This soreness will diminish as your body becomes
conditioned to sliding
