Before I even start this post, I am not a doctor, and I'm not a personal trainer. You should always speak to a doctor about any new physical regimen. I'm only giving you my take on physical fitness and the aging skateboarder because I feel like my fitness regimen is necessary to keep me going at the level i skate. That isn't to say that other people can't skate better on less exercise, but to feel my best and feel like I skate my best this post will give a rundown of what I do. I'm one of those people that really likes to work out, and I feel that my workouts help to keep me on a skateboard as I approach the big 5-0. Each morning, Monday through Friday, I lift weights and do some core work before I head out to the day job. If I didn't skate I'd still lift weights before work. It kickstarts my day, and makes me feel like I have already accomplished something long before my workday has begun. Of course, it has added benefits. Weight training helps bone density, helps me maintain a healthy weight, and helps me maintain good body mechanics. Secondly, is cardio training. Skateboarding, of course, can count as cardio, and I don't spend a lot more time doing cardio outside of skating. However, I do try to get on a bike and go for a run at least once a week. Being a distance skater I feel like changing things up helps me keep my cardiovascular fitness up while using my muscles in a different way. The idea is that, by cross-training in running and cycling, I'm improving cardio and developing strength in areas not used skating keeping from having any imbalances in my fitness.
Last, but not least, stretching and mobility. I used to do a series of static stretches everyday but I've moved away from doing as much static stretching over the last year. I incorporated yoga poses into my basic stretches and added some very simple mobility exercises that I now do. Some of them are very simple from ankle and knee circles to standing on one leg (and doing some calf raises). I feel like the mobility exercises help keep my range of motion and help in body awareness. I even have a series of toe exercises I do daily. Toe exercises?! Yep. Unfortunately I suffered from something called "turf toe" at one point. It is a sprain to the bottom joint of the big toe, and it is very painful. I felt like I never fully recovered from it, and massage/toe mobility exercises have helped incredibly. One exercise, for instance, is to pick up a towel, over and over, with my toes. At one point this was very difficult for me. Now it is easy. So, how much exercise do you need to do as an older skater? That's up to you. Only you know your body. I just wanted to give an insight on what I do to keep myself rolling healthy into my late forties.
3 Comments
Shane Langrish
7/6/2020 05:20:05 am
Great post. Interesting you mentioned Turf Toe, because I self diagnosed having that injury 2 years ago and no one I spoke to had a clue what I was talking about. My solution at the time was strapping my toe to reduce upwards flex and wear stiffer soled shoes. I will definitely try your solution if it flares back up again.
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7/26/2020 05:08:36 am
I did the same thing, wrapping my toes, for my first battle with turf toe, but it never completely healed. It still isn't perfect, but the massage and exercises have really helped.
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Eric Sanders
7/7/2020 06:00:26 pm
Ok I just realized I may have put my email as a website on the last comment. oops. On ward Only other skater I know of who has been doing weight training is Mark Lake. Has to be in his upper 50s by now and still launches airs on halfpipes so you may have something there. Stretching is vital for me at 53. Trying to stay as limber as possible is important to avoiding any injury that may sneak up. I need to get back to pedaling my bike at least once a week. I do from a stand still facing a hill tic tacs and see how far up the hill I can go. Use very grippy wheels in back or you will slide out. those are a real good workout right there. Pumping up a hill with a bit of aped is another thing I work at.
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