4 Essentials to a DIY Home Gym
You’re ready to get in shape for ski season, have read all about how you need to build better balance, but getting to the gym? Ah…. that’s another story. So here’s all you need to build the strength and agility and balance to be ready for the slopes.
You might have to fight the kids for a turn on the JustJump Fitness Trampoline. Tell them it’s not a toy but something that’s going to build up your on-snow balance and strength and perhaps save your ACL. The Fitness models start at $199 for the basic 39-inch frame with screw-in legs. And some models such as the 39-inch 230f and the 550f Pro come with folding frames.
The Maxxum 84 inline skates from Rollerblade ($259-$319) have cuffs and buckles that work similarly to ski boots and 84 mm wheels which allow for quick turns. The company has a Skate-to-Ski video series that you can access via vtskiandride.com/balance/
Made in Vermont, the Vew-Do Balance Board helps with sideways balance and is great for snowboarders who want to improve their reflexes in shifting weight foot to foot. The Love Your Brain ($149) model was developed by snowboard star and Vermonter Kevin Pearce, who has used it during rehab from a traumatic brain injury.
The Slackstand ($299) from Slackline Industries is a free-standing 12-foot slackline that you can set up in a home gym (it folds for easy storage). Or, if you have two sturdy trees, just set up the Base Line kit ($64), which comes with an instructional DVD.
