iSkate Fit

Have you ever seen a skateboarder walk into the gym? Yeah, didn’t think so…
It’s not an image normally associated with the sport. However ‘behind the scenes’ training is now becoming more crucial than ever. The world’s top competitive skaters such as Ryan Sheckler and Shaun White are including a weight training regimen in their quest to be the best.

Now hear this…
iSkate isn’t saying that you should all get a gym membership and go ballistic on the free weights. What we would like to suggest is that you take an open minded approach to your skateboard training and include some off skateboard training to help promote strength and conditioning and ultimately help you to become a better skater. iSkate always suggests that before you start a work out you consult a professional fitness trainer to help you get started.

Here are some suggestions for leg strengthening that you can do in the comfort of your own home! Good luck, have fun.

iSkate Plyometric Workout

Plyometric training is is a type of exercise training designed to produce fast, powerful movements, and improve the functions of the nervous system, generally for the purpose of improving performance in a specific sport -> Skateboarding!
Skateboarding requires the combination of speed and strength is power. Plyometric Training is the perfect complement to the physical demands required for skateboarding. It is important that when you train for skateboarding that the movement you perform in training should match, as closely as possible, the movements encountered during skateboarding.
iSkate suggests a lower body plyometric workout focusing on the legs. Try these two exercises to get you started.

Squat Jumps

The movement in this exercise is pretty simple but don’t think that makes it easy!
Start with feet shoulder width apart.
Keep the back straight and sit down like you are about to sit on a short stool.
Once you are squatting down with your knees bent, Jump up as high as you can. (If you want to make it even harder, tuck your knees up at the highest point of the jump)
Land with your feet shoulder width apart and absorb the impact by bending your knees.

You may not be able to do all four sets your first time so start with one or two sets and gradually build up your strength and endurance until you can do all four. Be explosive!

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Box Jumps

OK, Find a box or a step you can jump up and on to that will safely hold your weight. We recommend 30cm or higher. Remember to start at your comfort level because you can always move to a bigger box once you start to see some results!
Start with you feet shoulder width apart and jump up on to the box landing as softly or quietly as possible.

Step off and repeat!

If you would like to make it a bit harder you can do continuous box jumps where you land on top of the box and immediately jump off back to the ground. As soon as your feet touch the ground you have to jump back on to the top of the box.
You may not be able to do all four sets your first time so start with one or two sets and gradually build up your strength and endurance until you can do all four. Be explosive!

Check back soon for more plyometric exercises and the new iSkate YOGA!

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