An exercise routine for a competitive figure skater includes on-ice and off-ice conditioning as well as special training to enhance the artistic element of the skater's routine. Figure skaters need to be exceptional athletes to rise to the top of the heap. Strength, explosiveness, balance, flexibility and endurance are necessities. Figure skaters are attempting ever more difficult routines with more jumps, increasing the physical demands on their bodies and increasing the mental challenges as well.
On-Ice Routine
If you want to be an elite figure skater, consider the on-ice workout routine of U.S. champion Johnny Weir, who hits the ice five days per week. For 75 minutes in the morning and two hours in the afternoon -- without breaks -- Weir practices jumps and spins and drives himself through grueling cardio sessions. Weir speed-skates the length of the rink and launches into a triple jump and each end. In one minute, he performs 15 jumps. It's an ice skater's form of interval training that produces a high level of fitness.
Off-Ice
Weir's off-ice workout includes a number of exercises that combine strength training and agility work. For example, bosu ball push-ups. Placing the rubber half-sphere bosu ball on the floor flat side up, with a weighted bar set across the top of it, Weir does 10 to 20 push-ups. The ball is unstable, so maintaining his balance while executing a push-up is extremely demanding. A series of Pilates exercises are part of Weir's off-ice workouts as well. Younger figure skaters might schedule an off-ice session two times per week. Such sessions, according to The Pro's Corner website, are designed to build core strength and stability in the abs and back as well as overall strength, flexibility and balance.
Artistic Training
A year-around program for figure skating training is available at facilities such as the Ice House in New Jersey. The program offers skaters a full conditioning program. It also includes programs for developing their technique as performers and artists. Training includes dance classes with professional dance and ballet instructors as well as specialized stretching and Pilates classes.
Young Skaters
An exercise routine for kids who aspire to become competitive skaters must be tailored to the skater's age and physical maturity. A good coach or trainer can tailor a program for kids who just have one day per week to practice as well as kids who would practice everyday, risking overuse injuries, if a coach didn't mandate rest days. Young skaters can prevent injuries by working on-ice while they are freshest. This is particularly important in modern era of figure skating. More young skaters are getting hurt, attempting jumps and extra revolutions than their developing bodies are not equipped to handle. As a result, exercise routines that are designed to make young skaters stronger and less susceptible to injuries are particularly important.
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