What muscles does downhill skiing work? Which body parts are engaged and toned when downhill skiing?

Downhill skiing for fitness and strength building

What muscles are we exercising when downhill skiing?

Depending on the sport you practice, certain areas of the body will be called upon more than others, but what about when you’re downhill skiing? Will you tone and refine your figure while downhill skiing? Below is a list of the muscles and muscle groups strengthened and sculpted by downhill skiing!

Upper limbs (shoulders, arms and forearms)

Alpine skiing does very little work on this area of the body.

Trunk and pelvis (Chest, stomach and back)

• Abdominals: These are made up of several layers of muscle (rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, transverse) whose function is to flex and rotate the trunk.

Lower limbs (glutes, thighs and calves)

• Glutes: Located at the intersection of the lower limbs and the trunk, the gluteal muscles (gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and gluteus minimus) are among the largest and most powerful muscles in the body. In particular, they provide mobility for the thigh and support for the pelvis.
• Quadriceps: Located at the front of the thigh, the quadriceps is made up of 4 muscles (vastus femoris or rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and vastus intermedius). These muscles facilitate flexion of the thigh over the hip, as well as extension of the leg over the thigh.
• Hamstring muscles: Located on the back of the thigh, there are four hamstring muscles (biceps femoris, semitendinosus and semitendinosus). They ensure leg flexion and thigh extension.
• Calf muscles: also known as the sural triceps, the calf muscles comprise 3 muscle fascicles, including the soleus and gastrocnemius. These muscles help extend the foot down the leg

Downhill skiing is a dynamic winter sport that strengthens a number of muscles. As well as working the heart, it’s a great way to strengthen the abs, glutes, thighs and calves.