Cross Country Skis

Rhomboid Muscle Strain and Cross Country Skiing

How you approach a rhomboid muscle strain can affect how long it takes to get back to your regular skiing routine. Taking it slowly and giving yourself time to rest will get you back on the trail faster, while pushing yourself may lead to further damage. Discuss your symptoms with your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. Your doctor may recommend rest and exercise techniques to speed recovery.

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All About Cross Country Skis

The Difference Between Cross-Country and Downhill Skiing

The sports use different criteria when developing the depth of the courses and determining the skis used by the skiiers. These differences prevent the sports from becoming too similar, which would obstruct the integrity of both.

Gym Exercises for Cross-Country Skiing

When the weather isn't cooperating and you cannot get outside to ski, finding alternative workouts can be difficult. Whether it is because it's the off season, or there is too much or too little snow, there will always be times...

How to Get in Shape for Cross-Country Skiing

Cross-country skiing is a long-distance sport which requires muscular strength, endurance and flexibility. To improve your cross-country skiing skills, implement an exercise routine that focuses on building muscle, developing g...

How to Cross-Country Ski Down a Hill

Cross-country skiing allows you to glide, walk, shuffle, stride or skate across the snow on skis. The fact that your heels are loose from the bindings lends to the simplicity of the technique, letting even beginner skiers maste...

Prosthetics for Hiking

Walking on uneven terrain and varying surfaces is a test of courage for the amputee and a test of the quality of his prosthesis. In the early 21st century, prosthesis are available for a growing number of sports, including down...

My Foot's Arch Hurts When I Am Cross Country Skiing

You'll find cross country skiing a physically demanding activity. In addition to calling for cardiovascular endurance, it requires you employ muscle groups you likely do not use on a daily basis. Aches and pains prove common wh...

Exercises For a Biathlon

The traditional biathlon began as a training exercise for the Norwegian military in the 1800s. It combines cross country skiing with rifle shooting. After falling out of fashion for decades, the event was popularized by Soviet ...

Why Does Snow Stick to Cross Country Skis?

To a cross country skier struggling to move through the snow, it may seem as if the snow is sticking to the skis, preventing them from moving free and easy. The fact is that it is not the snow that is sticking at all. The two f...

Roller Skating/Skiing Techniques

Roller skating and skiing share many of the same techniques, so practicing one sport can develop your skills in the other. For either sport, practice balancing on flat ground until you learn to stay upright. Then move to gentle...

What Limits Anaerobic Endurance?

Intense forms of exercise such as running, cycling, cross-country skiing and basketball require basic fitness. But simply being "in shape" is not enough. Because your effort varies between very easy and rigorous, these activiti...

Muscles to Strengthen for Cross-Country Skiing

Cross-country skiing gives a full-body workout. Poling works out the upper body muscles, while the skating motion works out your lower body. If you don't want to pull any muscles while cross-country skiing next winter season, y...

Most Popular Brand of Cross Country Skis

If you want to escape the crowded ski slopes and hefty lift fees, give cross country skiing a try. This type of skiing allows you to either break your own trail or ride on ones that have already been groomed. Cross country skii...

How to Compare Cross Country Skis

Because the physics differ so much from downhill skiing, you need a different ski design to provide the necessary friction or smoothness, depending on your position on the course. Cross country skis can differ from one model to...

A Comparison of Cross-Country Skis

Begin a comparison of cross-country skis by determining which skis will work best for you. Criteria should include the type of skiing, your skill level and the terrain. The specific design of the ski can improve your experience...

How Are Skis & Poles Fitted When You Cross-Country Ski?

Also known as touring, cross-country skiing was introduced in North America in the 1850s by Norwegian and Swedish immigrants. This form of skiing is still used today as a form of sport and transportation. Cross-country skiing c...

Nordic Combined History

The Nordic combined event in the Winter Olympics combines ski jumping and cross-country skiing. The event requires an ability to sail for long distances on long, wide skis and the stamina to race long distances cross country. T...

Length of Cross Country Ski Poles

Ski poles that fit properly is an essential component of cross country skiing. Using the correct length of ski pole will allow you to ski faster, stronger and longer. To determine the most appropriate length, you must take into...

What Are the Benefits of Stamina?

Stamina -- along with strength, balance and flexibility -- is a cornerstone of physical fitness. Sometimes referred to as aerobic capacity, stamina is the ability to exert energy for prolonged periods of time without becoming f...

About Women's Classic Cross Country Skis

Classic technique involves opposing leg to arm motion in a forward direction. Within classic cross-country skiing, you can find gender-specific training guidelines and equipment, including skis. Women's classic cross-country sk...

What to Wear for a Winter Workout?

Whether you're running, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or just going for a walk, dressing for the cold is crucial to maintaining your exercise regime throughout the winter. It's no longer as easy as throwing on cotton sweat...

Difference Between Skate Skis & Cross Country

Today, cross-country skiing is an excellent cardiovascular form of exercise and a competitive sport. You keep your skis parallel in the Classic kick and glide style of cross country skiing. Skating-style skiing uses lateral mov...

Ideal Cross Country Skis for Backwoods Skiing

This form of skiing can take skiers into remote locations and sometimes lead to overnight or multiple-day skiing trips. A different type of ski is used for this rather than the alpine skis often used for downhill skiing.

Telemark Technique for Cross Country Skiing

Telemark cross-country skiing takes fitness and strength. Northern Europeans and Scandinavians used cross-country skiing as a means of travel during snowy winters. Telemark originally referred to the smooth turning technique sk...

Setup Guide for a NordicTrack Achiever

The Achiever is a model of ski machine made by NordicTrack that gets users in shape by simulating a cross-country ski motion with optional resistance. The skiing motion of the NordicTrack Achiever works your legs, hips, buttock...

How to Pick Cross Country Skis

In addition to the legs and back, the arms, chest and core muscles are critical to successful cross-country skiing. Equally important to effective skiing on cross-country courses is the proper equipment. Cross-country skis are ...

How to Turn on Cross Country Skis in Deep Snow

High speeds are rarely reached, and the arms are incorporated to a much greater degree to steer and propel you when on your skis. Cross-country ski trails are often made with groomed trails featuring packed snow, but there are ...

How to Use a Cross-Country Ski Exercise Machine

Cross country skiing is an excellent cardiovascular workout and burns more calories than traditional cardio because it utilizes muscles in both the upper and lower body. It is also low impact, making it a suitable choice for in...

How to Buy Used Cross Country Skis

For novice skiers, used gear provides an affordable opportunity to learn the sport without a major investment. By starting with used skis, you'll be able to build your skills without risking damage to new, expensive equipment. ...

How to Select Cross Country Rental Skis

The sport improves cardiovascular fitness, muscular endurance and can take the skier through beautiful outdoor scenery. Renting cross country skis is a common method of equipping yourself for the trip and only requires a few ke...

Proper Fit for Cross Country Skis & Poles

With over 350 areas for Nordic skiing in the U.S. and Canada, cross country skiing is accessible to nearly everyone. While the sport is relatively easy to learn, choosing the proper gear for your size and skill level can be int...

Rating of Cross Country Skis

Cross country skis are slightly different from short-run downhill skis because they need the ability to glide easily over long distances without bogging down in often-unpacked snow. The lighter the ski, the better. Look for ski...

Skate Skis Vs. Cross Country Skis

Skate skiing is a type of cross-country skiing that is generally more cardiovascular-intense than classic skiing. Knowing the difference between the skis can help you determine which type of skiing might be best for you and wha...

Proper Length of Cross Country Skis

Cross-country skis that are the proper length will ensure that the ski is working at its optimal level and doing what it is designed to do. Improper length of the skis can result in you having to do lots of extra work because o...

How to Fit Cross-Country Skis

A longer ski is going to have a smoother glide and increased speed. Knowing what type of cross-country skiing you will be participating in will greatly help the selection process. Skate skiing is a more intense type of cross-co...

Snow Resorts in Iowa

Although you might not think of Iowa when you think of skiing, the Midwestern state has four snow resorts, as well as many park areas for cross-country skiers. The resorts offer skiing, snowboarding and snow-tubing slides. All ...

How to Apply Ski Wax to Cross Country Skis

Like downhill skiers, cross-country skiers apply wax to the bases of their skis so they will glide more smoothly over the snow. When you apply a fresh coat of wax to your skis, you will notice that they turn more easily in the ...

Cross-Country Ski Resorts in Utah

In terms of tourism, Utah is best known for its alpine skiing, but the state is also a singular destination for cross country skiing. Utah is one of the few places in the world where you'll find a mix of Olympic cross country ...

How to Turn on Cross Country Skis

Cross-country skiing is a form of long-distance, multiple-terrain skiing that incorporates both downhill and uphill skiing. It can be done with or without groomed tracks built into the snow, and may take place on a groomed cour...

Buyers Guide for Cross-Country Skis

Cross-country skiers glide along the top layer of snow and the heels are not attached to the ski in any way. According to the Ski Post website, cross-country skiing depends on kicking and gliding with the front of the foot. The...

Snow Resorts in MT

In total, Montana provides skiers with more than 14,000 acres of terrain for skiing. But the resorts are not only for skiers. Snowboarding, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling also can be enjoyed at ski resorts in Montana.

How to Become a Better Rower

Comparable to cross-country skiing and distance speed skating for intensity, rowing gives you a total body workout. Rowing is divided into two categories: sweeping and sculling. Sweeping occurs in a boat with multiple rowers, e...

How to Wax Fiberglass Cross Country Skis

With each step, the center of the ski flexes down to grip the snow and help the skier push off. Without grip wax, the ski simply slides off to the side, making cross-country skiing difficult or impossible. Take the time to wax ...

NordicTrack Cross Country Ski Machine Monitor Instructions

NordicTrack produces a cross-country ski machine known as the Classic Pro, intended for use in the home. A pair of skis attached to a variable resistance system provides a workout designed to burn calories, tone muscles and imp...

How to Choose Cross-Country Skis

Cross-country skis are used by people who want an intense cardio workout on more level terrain. Cross-country skis are longer and heavier than downhill skis, providing a better stride when handling hard-packed trails. Along wit...

How to Care for Old Cross-Country Skis

Cross-country skis run over snowy terrains at potentially high speeds. This terrain can be littered with various debris or other organic material that threatens to scrape, scratch, ding and even destroy your cross-country skis....

Troubleshooting a NordicTrack Pro

NordicTrack cross-country ski exercisers were all the rage during the 1980s. Although the company has since branched out to manufacture other types of exercise machines, including elliptical trainers and treadmills, NordicTrack...

Selecting Cross-Country Skis

Both your upper and lower body muscles are used in the exercise, which is often done in mountainous territories during the winter months. The skis used for cross-country skiing are specially designed to provide a mix of tractio...

How to Choose the Correct Length for Cross-Country Skis

Cross-country skis are a different type of equipment than the skis used for alpine skiing. These skis feature a unique design that allows skiers to climb up hills and glide down slopes. Purchasing cross-country ski equipment ca...

How to Clean Cross-Country Skis

Skiers who visit the mountain often know that clean skis can affect not only your skiing performance, but it can affect how you ski and the way you look. Waxing your skis gives you grip on the snow, allows you to push off, make...

Weekend Trips in Ohio

Weekend trips in Ohio can fill your itineraries with a variety of outdoor recreation and landscapes. From beaches to hiking trails, outdoor enthusiasts can discover the best of Ohio's natural land. With so much to encounter ar...

Cross Country Skiing in Jackson, New Hampshire

Jackson, New Hampshire is in the heart of a prime region for winter recreation, especially cross country skiing. Whether you are a beginner looking for green runs or a seasoned veteran looking for black, Jackson has many to cho...

NordicTrack Workouts

NordicTrack is a fitness company that came into existence in 1975. The first NordicTrack exercise machine was a skier that mimicked the motion of cross-country skiing. Through the years, NordicTrack has expanded into dozens of ...

Extreme Cold Weather Gear for Women

In extremely cold weather, a serious risk of frostbite and hypothermia exists. Mountaineering, skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and many other winter activities involve extreme cold or winter conditions. Women's clothing, slee...

Snowshoes Vs. Cross Country Skis

Snowshoes and cross-country skis enable winter recreation. The sports associated with this type of gear do not require lift access. Despite these similarities, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are completely different sport...

Information on Ellipticals

Elliptical trainers are a popular cardio machine available for use in fitness centers and home gyms. The machine offers a low-impact workout that combines the feeling of running with cross-country skiing. Ellipticals require li...

What Is the Proper Snow Gear?

The snow provides versatile activities from sledding with the family to snowshoe races. Downhill skiing, snowmobiling, backpacking, cross-country skiing, building snowmen, ice climbing and now snow biking are examples of activi...

About Cross Country Skis

Because of these terrain differences, cross country skiers require specific equipment to carry them through these wooded trails and backcountry sections. Cross country skis have a design that allows users to glide more efficien...

The Types of Bindings for Cross Country Skis

Therefore, the bindings for cross-country skis lock in the toe of the ski shoe while keeping the heel free so it can be used to propel the skier forward with either the classic (kick-and-glide) or skate (side-to-side push) tech...

Downhill Skis Vs. Cross Country

Downhill skis are meant for downhill travel---they don't allow you to lift your heel to hike uphill. Cross-country skis facilitate climbs and descents (as well as treks across flat fields). Knowing the difference between the ty...

Types of Cross Country Skis

In the 1800s, Norwegians used to use cross country skiing as a way of transportation over snowy grounds. However, cave drawings from 7,000 years ago show people using skis as a method of transportation. Today, cross country ski...

Cross-Country Ski Tips

Unlike the rush of downhill skiing, cross-country skiing is less dangerous, simple to learn and fun for the whole family. It is hiking in snow country with skis. There are ski resorts on maintained trails, and some skiers take ...

Cross Country Skiing Rules

Cross country skiing is a winter sport known for its vigorous nature and its celebration of the outdoors. Like other sports or competitive activities, cross country skiing has its own set of rules to which participants must abi...

How to Measure Cross Country Skis

If you're buying new cross country skis, you can choose the right size by cross-referencing height and weight on a sizing chart to find the appropriate ski length, then checking the lengths clearly marked on each set of skis. I...

Cross Country Ski Techniques

Cross country skiing encompasses a range of techniques, from the freestyle or skating style to the classic, diagonal-striding style that most people associate with the sport. Telemark skiing is a form of downhill skiing in the ...

Back Country Skis vs. Cross Country Skis

At its core, skiing is simply sliding over snow. The equipment for different types of skiing is different in form and function, however. Cross country skis are most commonly used to ski on flat or gently rolling trails, which...

How to Cross-Country Ski

It's a great cross-training option for runners who live in snowy winter climates, or for anyone who wants to stay fit. There are two styles of cross-country skiing: classic and skate. Most people start off by learning how to us...

How to Choose Cross Country Skis for a Beginner

When choosing your first pair of cross-country skis, many factors need to be taken into account, such as where you plan to ski, which technique of skiing you wish to try, and how much time you are willing to invest in preparing...

What Is Cross Country Skiing?

When compared with downhill skiing, cross-country skiing allows a person to climb with the skis in addition to skiing down the slopes. For this reason, cross-country skiing is considered one of the best cardiovascular activitie...

How to Measure Touring Cross Country Skis

Choosing the correct size of touring cross country skis depends on variables such as your skill level, weight, height and what type of skiing you wish to do. Skiers with more experience may prefer a shorter or longer ski. You...

Cross-Country Skiing Tips for Beginners

Unlike alpine or slalom skiing, cross-country skiing involves moving along mainly flat terrain on a groomed trail with cross-country skis. For the beginner, there are certain things to consider before venturing out on a trip. U...

5 Things You Need to Know About Cross-Country Skiing

Many people underestimate the skills required for cross-country skiing (XC skiing). Skilled XC skiers know how to climb and go downhill effectively and safely. They also know how to stop, fall and get back up. Before starting ...

Smart Shopping for Cross Country Skis

When most people think about cross country skiing, they envision a solitary skier, gliding along the shoreline of a frozen lake on ultra-skinny skis. But, did you know that cross country skis come in many different types? Cros...