Snowboarding is this month’s Spotlight Sport. Winter took a while, but now that it’s finally here, you may be looking for a way to get out and enjoy that snow. And good news, Bogus is finally open. But that doesn’t mean that skiing is your only option. Snowboarding is a relatively new sport, originating in the 1960s, but it’s a great way to stay in shape and burn some calories.
Think you might want to give it a try? Bogus Basin offers lessons. But first you’ll want to be sure you’re in good shape. Snowboarding requires strong legs and core muscles, so try doing jump squats, lunges, twists with a medicine ball, and pushups to develop overall body strength and help tone up your core. You’ll be using it a lot when you hit those slopes. And, even if you’re in top shape, you’re going to feel it the next day. So be sure to stretch and warm up properly.
Most people are right foot-dominant, meaning they place their right foot to the back, helping them guide their snowboard. People who put their left foot to the back use what’s called “goofy” stance, but don’t let that name intimidate you. Go with what’s comfortable for you. Not sure? Slide on a slick floor while wearing a pair of socks and then look down at your feet to see which one you keep in front.
Snowboarding is a fun way to blast calories, too. A 150-pound person will burn about 425 calories in an hour of snowboarding. A 200-pound person will burn 570 calories.
To get started, you’ll need a snowboard (of course), boots, bindings, and a helmet, as well as your basic cold weather gear and you’ll probably want a pair of goggles to keep all that flying snow out of your eyes.
Just like surfing, it takes a little practice to learn how to get up on your snowboard. And even a little more practice to learn how to stay up. But once you figure that out, the rest of it is mostly gliding and steering. If you’re just starting out, leave the fancy tricks to the pros. Snowboarding is fun, but it can be dangerous if you get careless, so stay safe.
Ready to snowboard? Click on this link to check the current conditions at Bogus Basin.
Talk it up:
Have you ever been snowboarding?
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