Snowboarding is a popular winter sport that many enjoy all over the nation. The thrill of gliding down a mountain with the sun shining on your face can be quite fun. There are different slopes available for each individual’s level of skill, making it a perfect activity for all ages.
Snowboarding is an excellent cardiovascular exercise that strengthens the heart. The average person burns nearly 266 calories in 30 minutes of downhill snowboarding. Due to holding your body weight, snowboarding also tones muscle. This is a full-body workout that helps you burn calories, promotes weight loss, and increases your endurance. Additional benefits include improved flexibility and balance.
This article will give a more detailed look at the details of why snowboarding is a good workout and tips for the best performance. Come along as we shred the gnar!
Is Snowboarding a Good Way to Lose Weight?
Snowboarding is an incredibly effective sport in promoting weight loss. Whether you are a beginner on the bunny slopes or a pro riding the black diamond, you’re sure to see results. The average person burns about 266 calories in 30 minutes of downhill snowboarding. For each pound of weight loss, 3,500 calories need to be burned.
Snowboarding is a dynamic workout. On top of the normal factors that affect weight loss such as age, gender, and metabolism, snowboarding incorporates a few more. Here are a few other factors that can vary the number of calories burned in a snowboarding session:
- Level of skill on the board
- The intensity of the slope
- The number of times walked up the slope
- The number of times you fall (you’d be surprised how many calories picking yourself back up burns!)
Below is a chart to show the various number of calories that snowboarding can burn. Keep in mind these are just averages.
[table id=100 responsive=scroll/]Which Muscles Does Snowboarding Work?
On top of being a heart-pumping cardio workout, snowboarding is also great for muscle building and toning. This is a full-body workout that engages the core and lower body. Take a look at the list to see exactly how these muscles are worked.
1. Calves
The optimal stance in snowboarding is standing slightly bent. This activates your calf muscles, which are at the back of your lower leg. Intense snowboarders even experience cramps in this area.
2. Abdomen/Core
With any activity that focuses heavily on balance, you will see the benefits of building a strong core. Keeping this area in motion will aid in turning, twisting, starting, and stopping movements.
3. Quadriceps
Your quads are another important muscle involved in balance. Keeping your legs bent while snowboarding will prevent injury to the knee and strengthen your legs in the process.
4. Upper Body
The upper body will mostly be used for more professional riders. Some tricks and turns require the use of the shoulders, biceps, and triceps. These muscles are the least used on the list, but still come into play at some points.
Can You Get Abs from Snowboarding?
Your core and abdomen are sure to be on fire after a snowboarding session. This is an activity that keeps your core activated as you ride down the mountain. With every move you make, your powerful core is working to make sure you stay standing.
Coupled with strengthening your core, snowboarding also promotes weight loss. A 6-pack will only show if there is a minimal amount of fat over the abdomen muscle and the abdominal muscles are toned. The fact that snowboarding incorporates both of these elements makes it a killer way to get those abs!
Is Snowboarding Good Cardio?
Snowboarding is an aerobic exercise, which makes it a fantastic cardiovascular workout. Your heart and lungs will be working in overdrive during your session. Cardio workouts increase endurance and stamina.
Cardiovascular exercises are beneficial to our health. Participating in these activities lowers the risk of chronic diseases and lower blood pressure. Additionally, it maintains healthy body weight.
Is Snowboarding Better than Skiing?
Skiing vs. Snowboarding is a long battle that is still not clear today. Researchers deem these activities as near equal when it comes to which is a better workout. In an hour of casual-moderate activity, snowboarders will burn 450 calories while skiers burn 500 calories.
[table id=99 responsive=scroll/]In order to determine which is a better workout, we can also look at the muscles used. Snowboarding uses more core, while skiing uses more legs. Additionally, skiing can incorporate more upper body strength through flat areas. Snowboarders usually unstrap and walk, while skiers cross ski using poles.
Skiers also rely on the hamstrings and ankle muscles during movement. These muscles usually do not get engaged when snowboarding. Overall, there is a minimal difference between these exercises. It’s best to pick your preference and have fun shredding!
Snowboarding Benefits
In addition to strengthening the heart and building muscle, snowboarding has a wide array of benefits.
1. Boosts Mood
Snowboarding is proven to release a chemical in our brain that promotes happiness. These are called “endorphins.” As this hormone pumps through your blood, you’ll experience feelings of joy and peacefulness. It’s hard to have a bad day at the slopes!
2. Keeps Brain Active
Snowboarding requires your brain to be working at all times. Figuring out problems such as routes, falling, and maneuvering your muscles are all part of snowboarding. Each of these elements requires brain power. Snowboarding boosts concentration and mental health.
3. Decreases Stress and Anxiety
Being outdoors and receiving fresh air is shown to reduce stress and anxiety. Your problems from the outside world melt away as you shred down the mountain. Snowboarding is a great way to clear your headspace.
Snowboarding Disadvantages
Our last section focused on all the reasons snowboarding is awesome. While it has many benefits, this activity might not be for everyone. Below are the disadvantages of snowboarding.
1. Easy to Fall
With both of your feet strapped to a board, it is very easy to lose balance. Research shows that snowboarders spend a fair amount of time in the snow. If you do not have a strong core, this will also contribute to falling. Falling could lead to a number of injuries, preventing you from doing your other favorite activities.
2. Harder to Learn than Skiing
Snowboarding is generally harder to learn than skiing. Although you still need balance, you also have poles in skiing which help you remain stable. Additionally, having each foot in a different ski allows for easier movements.
3. Rely on Weather
In most places of the country, snowboarding is not a “year-round” sport. In order to participate, you will have to wait until the winter months or travel to different areas. This can be a bummer for those who love this activity!
Top 5 Snowboarding Exercises
Snowboarding is a full-body workout that uses a wide variety of our muscles. Because of this, the top five snowboarding exercises will be those that train the whole body. Training specifically for snowboarding can be effective for professionals, or beginners that want to up their skills.
The best part about these workouts is that they can be modified for intensity level. For example, for a beginner, you can use light weights or just your own body weight.
1. Squats
The squat is a power-house movement when it comes to snowboarding. Squatting works the majority of your leg muscles. These include the quadriceps, hamstrings, hip flexors, calves, and glutes.
2. Single-Leg Deadlift
A single-leg deadlift has all the benefits of a regular deadlift when it comes to strengthening the leg muscles, with the added benefit of balance training.
3. Lunges
Lunges use our abdominals, back muscles, glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves. They also incorporate the use of balance. Forward lunges are easier than reverse lunges, so it’s best to start there and progress.
4. Hollow Hold
The hollow hold is an intense ab workout. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t perfect it right away. Training your abdomen will strengthen your core and improve balance.
5. Push-Up
A push-up uses the biceps, triceps, and deltoids. It will also engage the core. Strengthening these muscles will help with any upper body movements during snowboarding.
Snowboarding Tips
As we mentioned earlier, snowboarding can be hard to learn. Taking on a difficult activity can seem like a daunting task. There is no magic potion or quick fix to make you a professional overnight. It takes hard work, dedication, and patience to master this sport.
To help you feel a little more confident getting on the mountain, we’ve compiled these helpful tips.
- Find the right board and gear for your body (Well-fitting boots and helmet, waterproof jacket, gloves, etc.)
- Take a lesson with a professional
- Stay alert, eyes facing forward
- Keep your knees bent
- Don’t be too embarrassed to ride the bunny slope
- Be patient with yourself
- Plan your route ahead of time
- Follow the resort’s safety guidelines and procedures
- Have fun!