Cross country skiing is a sport that requires you to be strong. That much is simple! While endurance and fitness will always be primary factors in the sport, there have been massive developments in the way Nordic skiers get stronger.
This doesn’t apply simply to World Cup athletes who double pole long races and sprints alike...having a good foundation of strength helps any skier enjoy their time on the snow. With a strong core and upper body, a dynamic lower body, and good coordination you can ski with technique that’s smoother and more efficient.
Recently, there has been a lot of interest in what is frequently called “hip activation” or “hip engagement”. Gone are the days of long striding motions with an extensive reach of the arms and a curved back. Today, a neutral spine is what allows skiers to generate power and poling forces through their whole body.
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