Gear guide: weight training
This is one of the more general kinds of training that we do. No matter what sport you do, you will probably spend some time in the weight room, and the skills you learn from ANR strength sessions will help you as a lifelong athlete, as well as a skier.
shoes
good: bare feet.
Seriously, lifting in bare feet is easier than lifting in running shoes. Running shoes are designed to cushion your foot from repeated impact on trails, and this cushioning makes it harder to balance and keep your natural form. Bare feet keep you stable and relatively safe when lifting heavier weights.
better: vans, converse, any flat-soled skate shoe
These will keep you stable in the weight room, and provide slightly more protection from dropped weights and stubbed toes than going au naturale.
best: lift shoes
Purpose-built sneakers for weight training. These provide the highest degree of stability and protection. Younger skiers just getting introduced to weights should not get these - you will grow out of them. Older skiers, especially those who like to lift on their own or who do power-based sports (football, track, baseball), may be interested in investing in a pair.
You are welcome to do your own research and find out what will be the best fit for your training. When searching for “lifting/weight training shoes”, most published lists are for dedicated powerlifters. The two options above two are still fairly versatile, and will serve well for both circuit training and heavier lifting.
nutrition & supplements
Exercise extreme caution when shopping for gym supplements. Many products advertised as “NCAA legal” are not NCAA or ASAA legal. If you are looking to increase your gym performance, we strongly recommend keeping it simple:
water
electrolytes, such as:
Nuun
Hammer Nutrition
Gatorade
simple protein powder: whey, soy, etc.
eating a snack within 30min of the end of your workout, and a full meal within 90min of the end of your workout.
Athletes under 18 should not try pre-workout mixes. They contain stimulants other than caffeine which result in a rapid energy crash and caffeine desensitization. If you want an energy boost, coffee should be the strongest thing you use.
