Several people have asked, and I haven't gotten around to writing more about skiing specifically. My answer for now is that they are about 80% similar. Everyone is doing the same/similar squat, hinge, push, pull, and shoulder, hip, and core basic design. Within this there is variation for the specific goals. This "20%" becomes more important as the athlete's ability and competitive level increases. We have developed some specific shoulder, hip, and core exercises in particular to support the challenging and different positions of skiing. We also have to make sure that skiers are doing plyos "wrong," which is to say firing the hands before the hips when jumping or throwing. In typical plyos (and basically any other sport), the hips accelerate the hands and we see follow-through. However, the skiing motion is to have the hands lead the hips, and we can practice/support this in the gym. We also do some short-ROM work closer to their in-season time, unlike rowers who do long-ROM always. I hope to be able to write more eventually.
I enjoyed reading your book and your articles.
How is strength training for cross-country skiing different than for rowing?
Hi Ivan,
Several people have asked, and I haven't gotten around to writing more about skiing specifically. My answer for now is that they are about 80% similar. Everyone is doing the same/similar squat, hinge, push, pull, and shoulder, hip, and core basic design. Within this there is variation for the specific goals. This "20%" becomes more important as the athlete's ability and competitive level increases. We have developed some specific shoulder, hip, and core exercises in particular to support the challenging and different positions of skiing. We also have to make sure that skiers are doing plyos "wrong," which is to say firing the hands before the hips when jumping or throwing. In typical plyos (and basically any other sport), the hips accelerate the hands and we see follow-through. However, the skiing motion is to have the hands lead the hips, and we can practice/support this in the gym. We also do some short-ROM work closer to their in-season time, unlike rowers who do long-ROM always. I hope to be able to write more eventually.
Thank you! I hope you write more about this. It's these subtle things that can make a difference.