Whether you prefer a flatter surface or you long for the steepest hills you can find, skiing is a very beneficial activity. People are visiting ski destinations every year to get out on the slopes. Here are four health benefits to skiing that you may not have known about, let’s get those snowshoes ready. After reading this list, you may want to make a trip to a local ski store in your area!
- Great for Losing Weight – When you start a new hobby or activity, your body must get used to the changes. Taking up a new sport, like skiing, can greatly boost the rate at which you lose weight. Engaging in an activity that has you up and moving burns off calories faster than if you were sitting or being still. It’s no surprise that many new skiers love losing a few pounds when they start out this activity.
- Strengthens Core – You’ve likely heard about the importance of having a strong core. However, most of us don’t want to buy a gym membership to work on our core. Fear not, by taking up skiing you are utilizing one of the best core workouts out there. Guiding your body through the next ski journey you are on will have the core muscles working to position your body for that next turn. A ski store can help you find the best equipment that work well with developing your core muscles.
- Improves Endurance – Skiing is an activity that will raise your endurance over time. The first times you hit the ski slopes, you could notice that you get worn out easily. However, the more times that you practice skiing, the better you will become. In addition, each time that you are skiing, you are increasing your cardiovascular health which will help improve your endurance. New skiers shouldn’t get discouraged in the early stages, we were all new at one time or another!
- Daily Intake of Vitamin D – What some skiers don’t know is that this activity can actually improve your happiness! The sheer freedom that comes with skiing can help just about anyone’s mood. When you are out on the snow you are getting vitamin D from the sun. Exposure to sunlight is still something that is heavily debated. However, since you are going to have the majority of your body covered with ski equipment, you won’t be exposed to long-term rays from the sun. Skiers get the best of both world because they enjoy vitamin D from the sun without having to worry about too much exposed skin.
To summarize, skiing is an activity with many health benefits. Recent research shows that, in 2015, there were 13.52 million skiers in the age range of six and above. The weight loss that can come from taking up skiing is a huge benefit. Strengthening your core muscles will help you become a better skier and can help in a wide range of activities. Skiing is an activity that is fun while also helping to improve your cardiovascular endurance. You can also soak up beneficial vitamin D while out on the slopes because ski gear will be protecting your skin from overexposure. Strongly consider visiting a ski store in your area and get ready to have a great time on the slopes.