Summer Workouts to Prepare You for Next Season

There is no such things as an "off season" when you work in the outdoor industry. Skiing stops (for the most part) and summer adventure kicks in. But how do you stay in shape for the next ski season? How do you fill your days and keep your ski fitness up over the next 5-6 months? JJ Vinet lays out his tips to keep you primed for next year, while Benny Smith offers his workout suggestions. Our suggestion, make the most of the great outdoors.

Keep active every day: It can be hard to get after it every day, especially when your on summer vacation, working those dreaded office days in doors, and in a constant downer now that winter is gone. Come up with mild work out routine you can do anywhere. Ben suggests "Angie" or "The Murph":

Angie:
100 pull ups | 100 push ups | 100 25lbs (11.3 kg) squats | 100 sit ups

The Murph:
1 mile (1.6 km) run | 100 Pull-ups | 200 Push-ups | 300 Squats | 1 mile (1.6 km) run

Hiking: From the desert to the mountain tops, hiking is a great way to get your heart rate up and discover something new. Challenge yourself to hike 3 new trails or climb a 14er. Depending on where you are, find a mountain your can hike dry trails, then skin to the top. 

Get a bike: If you have cross-country trails, you can sweat it out climbing up and get a fun ride down, you can hit the road and work on peddling fast, or you can pedal over to your friends back yard bbq before you enjoy those summer beverages. Skiers abuse their knees all winter long, bikes are low impact and create great circulation in your knees.

Let someone else plan your day: Skiing is fun because every run is different. Don't lock yourself into the same routine, you’ll likely get bored, slack off, or even give up. Keep things fresh, it will keep you on your toes. Find a local gym with weekly drops-ins each week. It's a budget way to get a personal trainer and the best part of this is, you don’t have to plan a routine, or think about what you’re going to work out, you just show up and do the work.

Ben suggests Cross Fit drop-ins, try the Filthy 50:
50 hang cleans 115lb (52.1 kg) | 50 wall balls | 50 burpees | 50 man makers (push ups with weights) | 50 box jump

Get a dog: Dogs are great. They deserve an outing every day and its a great way to force yourself to get out and play. You can ride bikes together, go paddle boarding, hike a mountain together, even spend time teaching them cool tricks like getting a beer from the fridge! 

Build: Go and build things, physical labour is a great way to keep active. You can get a job helping build houses, landscape, or even tree plant. You stay active, get healthy and make a little money for the coming winter. Be a good friends, help them build, stay active and maybe enjoy some free pizza and beer.

Play: Join a summer league like soccer, baseball or volleyball, find your nearest frisbee golf course and play a round. 

Go Skiing: Just because the ski hill is closed doesn't mean there isn't snow up high. If you don't have mountains near you and want to slide around on some snow, hockey arena’s often dump piles of snow outside after cleaning the ice. So with a little bit of elbow grease and a pickup truck, you can haul a few loads of snow to a small hill and set up a little rail feature, jump or even the World's skinniest ski run. If you are looking for a fun road trip, head to Mt. Hood. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Ben Smith and Ethan Swadburg.